2026-05-07
As mentioned previously, the Big Lap is off for this year due to world and weather events, but that doesn't mean we're not going somewhere. No, instead we're doing two weeks checking out the sites on the western side of the Blue Mountains (and along the way there and back). Lea has had to trip down to Sydney early, so that means stage one of the trip will be me transporting the caravan to Lithgow (or somewhere near there).
This has meant I've been busy packing things, trying to think of the bare essentials needed and getting them in the caravan and car. It's now about a day and a half from when I plan to leave (Saturday) and I think I'm fairly on track. The van is mostly hitched up (except the electrics as I have it plugged in to the house to pre-chill the fridge), there's clothes for both of us, but I still need to pack food, toiletries and the tech gear.
My current plan is to leave around 10ish on Saturday and make my way to Goondiwindi via Toowoomba, taking the bypass there as there are road works on Cunningham's Gap, and it's a bit less steep. Day two should see me somewhere around Coonabarabran, and the final day around Lithgow. I'll park up in a proper caravan park there and the following day leave the van there and head to Sydney to collect Lea.
From then on, the proper holiday begins with things like the Western Plains Zoo, Zig Zag Railway and some caves all in order. But before any of that can begin, I need to shop for some food (this arvo), and have one more day of work to contend with.