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Day 59 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Well after a great night at Anthony's house , we said our goodbyes and headed back to our van park.
very cold night, lots of cuddling going on!!!!
Overnight low of 4 Deg, high today of only 17, don't let anyone tell me that Melbourne is cold!!!
Left this park behind us,we were not very impressed! It was supposed to be a 4 star, I would have given it 1 star. The toilets and showers were prehistoric!!!
We started this trip south, by going to Macca's to do the webb page thing. After that we got on the Freeway to the Hume and got off at the Wollongong exit, so as to get to Mollymook, to see Graham Hepburn.
On the way down the rain absolutely bucketed down most of the way.
got to Heppy's place, had a nice chat, but we decided not to stay as it was P....ing down there too!!! He said that they had already received over an inch of rain!!! We didn't stay as by then we had made the decision to get home asap!!
We left Heppy and to say we enjoyed the drive from there on , would be an understatement. We had everything that Mother Nature could throw at us except snow! The hail stones were as big as golf balls and i was panicking that they would damage the van!!! The rain was horrendous, could hardly see where we were going.
Then the big one, as it got dark the lights on the Van started flickering. Then boom we lost the lt except for the cars headlights. Lucky for us, at that stage we were only 20 kl m's from Bega. So i pushed on throughn the storm until we reached the park at Bega!
Brenda's face was one of great relief as we pulled in. Mind you I was quite happy myself. What amazes me though, is the semi drivers they still barrel along at 100Klm's and the conditions don't even faze them!!

So before we go anywhere in the A.M. I will have to try and fix the lights, which i am hoping is only a fuse!!
To top all that off, the rain once again has leaked in via the wheel arch and soaked the carpets. BUGGER!!!!
The rain continued for most of the night, thankfully we were on a concrete slab, but all the grass around us was under water.
I know we need the rain, but not all at once!!!!

Day 58 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Awoke this morning b…y cold 7 Degs. So off we go towards Port Macquarie.
First stop, Kempsey for Brekkie, Sat down at a table and before we knew it, it became a conference! Two other couples joined us. So we all had a good yarn for 30 minutes or so.

We arrived at our park in P. Macquarie. It’s very nice park , right on the Hastings River, which flows out to the ocean about 200 metres from our van site. They have built a sea wall out of huge rocks and each of the rocks is decorated by anyone who want’s to paint them. Some of the paintings are quite good!

We had a nice walk along the breakwater and along the road back to town. Lots of units for sale right on the beach road. Maybe we should buy one?
From there we took a short drive to the lighthouse., at Tacking Point. Once again great views even if the beaches were coping a pounding!!
Onwards to a rainforest board walk. Gees we try anything!!!!!
The Seascape rainforest Walk near shelly beach and Tacking Point was our next point of call. A tour through the forest by a guide was quite interesting. He was an older retired guy who just likes trees! Some people see trees in a different way to most of us! The tour took about one and half hours and by the end of it we were, believe it or not, we were getting quite cold!! The lady who runs the ticket office had actually shut the doors and was about to go home when she saw our cars still there. Didn’t fancy spending the night in the rainforest!!!!!!! Especially after the guide told Brenda, about the big Python that lived in the trees!!!! The steps became longer and quicker!!!

Back to the park for a nice cup of hot coffee!!!!!

Day56 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Another day in paradise, we quite like Coffs so much to do and see!!
After watching the news on TV this morning we have decided to stay another day! They tell us that the Hunter river is about to peak at 11 metres, so still a no go zone! So here we are again, but we will move south tomorrow, our next stop will be Port Macquarie. Once there we will reassess the floods!

We will have a day to look around a bit more, so first item is a slow walk up to Diggers Beach. Found the first hurdle! It was up a very steep slope, but not to be told she can’t do it, Brenda set off at a good rate! This slowed a bit as the knees started to ache! Once we got over the top the going got a little easier!!
The views were magnificent, didn’t see any whales, but sighted a pod of Dolphins swimming close to shore.

Had a lay in the sun for a while on Diggers Beach. Then we headed back via the Marina. I watched a lady pull in a very large Flathead( jealous) . Thought about getting the rod out, but lunch was more important. So lunch, then into a car wash to give the Crusher a well earned tub. She came up looking sparking!!!

Back to park relax read the book and enjoy what sun we were getting.

Later on that evening we heard from Rick and Tracey, who were actually on the Queenscliff ferry, heading for Sorrento. The word was that it is cold and windy, don’t like that idea very much! They had mixed feelings about getting home, but they were already thinking about the next trip away!!!!!

Well one more day closer to home ourselves, we probably will move tomorrow to P. Macquarie.
This life is so tough but someone has to do it!!!!!!!

day 55 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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As some of you might be aware, the floods just south of here are pretty bad. So we made the decision to stay her another day, just to give the floods time to ease! We did look at going around the long way via Tamworth but even some of those roads are flooded too! So here we will stay for another day. But what a nice place to be at!
Sunday morning and there is always a market somewhere. Yep we found one in Coffs. So of we went, as markets go, not bad. Brenda bought some nice gifts and cards for different people. I bought a plastic “ Bat”, of the mammal variety. Don’t ask!

From the market we headed to the ’Big Banana”. I was a bit disappointed as the place seemed to be run down. It looked like it needed a good clean and a lick of paint. Half of the attractions were closed, the ski run has been closed for a couple of years. But, talking to some people that work here they told us that the site has been sold and the new owners have got huge plans for the place. One thing they said would be coming was a wet and wild style area for the kids( big and small). So they are trying something.!
On the way down we picked some Mandarins and Macadamia nuts all free! How good was that
We did the Sky Walk, even though Brenda struggle up the Steps, we got to the top. The view was worth, great panorama of Coffs. We met a nice couple from NZ had a good old chinwag with them. They told us we must go to NZ! So that might be a trip in the future!
Well if I thought the walk up was hard for my girl, the walk down the slope was even harder. I thought about trading her in for a new model, but she cooks and cleans well OUCH!!!!!!! All jokes aside I think the inevitable Knee replacement, is closer than she thinks!!
I saw the toboggan ride was operating so just had to have a go (where’s the g/kids when you need them).

Of course after all my exercise I needed a coffee.
Back to park for a well earned relax and read in the sun!!!

DAY 54 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Here we are in Coffs Harbour. We quite like this place, we have been here before so, we do know our way around this town!
After a reasonable night, just a few strong wind gust’s and a few spots of rain. We woke to Blue skies and sunshine! Yes Brenda said about b….y time! The van was very cold this morning, so we had to put the heater on for the first time to warm us up!!! Temps were 8-19 deg for today.
We decided to go for a bit of a drive so went to the surf beach. There they were, no matter what the weather the surfers were out in it!!
Off then to the shops, we had some food shopping to do, but also manage to look into a few more “other” shops! Then it was off to MacDonald’s, no, not for food but to send off our Webb pages and check E-mails.
There is no doubt about it Macca’s is a licence to print money, the place was chockers!!!

Then it’s off to Pet Porpoise Pool, the funny thing is they don’t have any Porpoise’s there? But they do have Dolphins, (one of Brenda’s favourite animals), Fur seals and Penguins. We had a ball here. Some of you know my feelings on Monkey Mia! Well this place absolutely kills them!! The actually want you to touch the dolphins, they say the interaction makes people more aware of them and the rest of the critters in the ocean!! They put on a show with the seals and dolphins, it’s well worth a watch! I have a great pic of Brenda being kissed by a Fur seal and one of the same with a dolphin. If anyone is coming to Coffs you shouldn’t miss this place10/10. Best part about this place from Brenda’s prospective was that it’s not very big to walk around, because her knees are giving her pure hell!! She actually is walking with a limp now! Not good!!!!!
Well back to the park for a relax and read. Sun is shining, but not all that hot, but at least it’s not raining!
The big worry for us is the weather. We have got to move south but the weather down that way is shocking! The TV news is full of all the gloom and doom down there. We all wanted the rain but not all at once!!!! One small town , who’s name I can’t remember, there town drinking water was completely dried up, but in one day’s rain, they have enough for 6 months!! So we have decided to stay here for one more night, hopefully the roads will dry out some.

Day 53 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Left the cold coast sorry Gold Coast behind and crossed into NSW at 0845. “Yes o great one the sun is shining”
Reached Ballina at 1000am so yes the grey nomads stopped for morning tea!!! But weather is starting to change. We really have upset someone!!!!
Got to Grafton found the Bunnings Store, Brenda want’s a light under the cupboard, so that’s my project for today!
Reached Coffs at 0150pm nice park , we have been here before. So spent the afternoon putting the light in. And I actually installed some windshields that we bought in Biloela. So the day was not wasted.
We were talking to some other people in the park , who told us that 50mms of rain fell here yesterday!
Believe me the weather has gone real wild up here. The TV news has just told a story about a car that fell in a hole that opened up on the old pacific highway. 9 people are now missing presumed fallen in the hole?
And also on the news was a coal carrying ship that has run aground on the rocks just off of Newcastle in cyclonic winds! They have rescued all the crew but the ship could break up…
What great weather…………..

DAY 52 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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First night here at Helensvale we woke to 2 inches of water around the Van. P….d down all night.
We really are wondering who we have upset up there!!!! Temps today 16-21 Deg.
That was the start of the day, then just about to leave to go to movie world, PANIC!! silver bracelet missing. I bought it for Brenda on our 25 anniversary. So there was more water flowing, not outside but inside the van!!!! We looked for ages and nearly gave it up when I found it in the mud next to the car. I now am in the good books, if only for 10 minutes!!
Smile came back , so off to movie world to meet up with the kids.
Well, talk about thrills and spills. We went on all of the roller coasters and most of the rides. Brenda says that she is bruised from the Lethal Weapon ride. But it does throw you around a bit!!!
Then in the evening we took off to the “Outback Spectacular show”. This is worth the dollars you pay,($95) but you do get a 3 course meal, a hat , beer ,wine and soft drink, so not to bad. The show is very good too!!
Got out of there around 0945, guess what? yep raining again!!!!!! Bugger!!!!!!!!!!
Oh well pack up and move to Coffs Harbour tomorrow.

DAY 51 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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First night here at Helensvale we woke to 2 inches of water around the Van. P….d down all night.
We really are wondering who we have upset up there!!!! Temps today 16-21 Deg.
That was the start of the day, then just about to leave to go to movie world, PANIC!! silver bracelet missing. I bought it for Brenda on our 25 anniversary. So there was more water flowing, not outside but inside the van!!!! We looked for ages and nearly gave it up when I found it in the mud next to the car. I now am in the good books, if only for 10 minutes!!
Smile came back , so off to movie world to meet up with the kids.
Well, talk about thrills and spills. We went on all of the roller coasters and most of the rides. Brenda says that she is bruised from the Lethal Weapon ride. But it does throw you around a bit!!!
Then in the evening we took off to the “Outback Spectacular show”. This is worth the dollars you pay,($95) but you do get a 3 course meal, a hat , beer ,wine and soft drink, so not to bad. The show is very good too!!
Got out of there around 0945, guess what? yep raining again!!!!!! Bugger!!!!!!!!!!
Oh well pack up and move to Coffs Harbour tomorrow.

DAY 51 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Arrived here at 1230 booked in looks like a nice place. Brenda’s new name for the Gold coast is “the Cold Coast”. We are staying in a park just across the Motorway from Movie World. Still raining but trying to get the best out of it. We were given a map of the local area, the map covers about 5k’s north and the same south we counted 26 MacDonald’s in that area and of course plenty of the other food groups too!!!

The good new is that Steve, Jo & g/kids have arrived . They are here for the Winter Sun rock & roll festival. Had a quick chat , so It’s out for dinner at the Hogs Breath Café, Cavil Mall.
Met the kids had lots of hugs from the G/kids didn’t realise how much we have missed them!!!!
They have been looking after our dog while we have been away, or should I say spoiling the dog. The dog now goes to the bed with Jordan, has a pink blanket put over him and the best part gets a story read to him!
Things will change when we get him back (if Jordan will give him back!!!!)
Organised ourselves for a day out tomorrow at Movie World, should be lots of fun, if it doesn’t rain!!!

DAY 50 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Fuel Prices ULP. $1.25. Lpg .60 cents Love these Queensland prices!!!!

DAY49 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Fuel Price LPG 0.63 didn’t by ULP.

DAY 47 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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DAY46 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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DAY45 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Another day in paradise! Sun is shining but still a bit cool early. Temp today 31 deg.
Off to a slow start today as we haven’t far to go Just a short amble down to Longreach.
Arrived at long reach v/park it’s name Gunnado, Brenda reckons that suits me right down to the ground.
Just got the van all set up and the heavens opened up on us. Rained for about 40 minutes.
Off to Longreach’s claim to fame “The Stockmans Hall of Fame” Big place they recommend 6 hours to see it all. So much there to see but didn’t read everything!!
They put on a little show outside with horses and sheep dogs. It was really very good, the dogs are so well trained and very clever!

Left there had a look over Qantas museum. Again very interesting but didn’t like the idea of paying to go in, then having to pay again to get on the Jumbo jet!!!! This 747 is the only operational jet that is open to the public to view!
Back to park for the What is becoming normal “happy hour” spoke to a couple from Newcastle, Judy and Reg . then off to the nights entertainment. A singer/ comedian, it went for two hours all good fun . But some of the jokes were a bit old. But never the less had a great night.
A bit of a chill in the air tonight good cuddling weather!!!!!!
Fuel prices in Longreach:- ULP $1.36. LPG 80 cents. You have got to love these prices in Queensland

DAY 44 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Woke up again, yes still alive! So we can travel today!!!
The night was extremely windy, nearly blew the van away. Cool start to the day (for a change) temp,17-30 today. I can handle that.

Up, up and away to Cloncurry. The road out of “The Isa” very hilly, so a bit of a hard pull for the “Crusher”.
But good to have some different type of landscape to look at. Had to follow a Road Train full of cattle for a bit, but eventually got pass him, he must have been in crawler gear, because that’s the speed it was doing!!

Once we passed through Cloncurry the land became very flat and in my humble opinion B…. boring!!!
We finally reached Winton, which for some reason seemed to take forever.
Found the V/park, great little park staff very friendly and helpful. The only complaint we could have had , was that the toilets and showers we older than well, me!!!!! The showers used bore water that when it came out it smelt like sulphur!!
But that was all made up by the great nights entertainment we had:- we got a roast dinner for $12 each, and a bush poet for 2 hours of being fun and laughter. He was quite brilliant!! Name Milton Taylor. If you like bush poetry he has 5 cd’s out.
Back to the van for we hope a good nights sleep. No need for a pre-pack as we are only doing 175Klm’s in the morning to get to Longreach. You should see the smile on Brenda’s face! She likes these short days.
Once more were off on another days adventure, what will it hold for us!!!

Stay tuned for the next exciting instalment of the” The trip”

DAY 43 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Day42 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Day 41 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Believe it of not, we actually slept in a bit this morning! Cloudy day 22-31 Deg. And Humid.
Today we start to head back in a southerly direction! Which sounds like we are heading home, but once we reach Three ways we turn Left and head towards Mt Isa.

Leaving Rick And Tracey was hard as they have been great travel companions. Also having their kids was good as it helped us not to miss our G/kids to much!!!
We reached Mataranka about 1 hour later and as usual had some breakfast there. Our favourite Brother ‘s were already out sitting under the trees. What do they do all day??
We then called into the Daly Waters pub, what an experience this place is, if you have been there you know exactly what I mean! So much nostalgia here you can smell it!! Happy hour here consists of a coin toss! You toss the coin, If you get it right your beer is free if you get it wrong you still only pay the normal price! One guy I spoke to said that he tossed quite a few times but never won any of them(dodgy coin???)

Pressing on we ran into a swarm of locust’s that went for about 100 metres then just stopped? Mad ea bit of a mess on the windscreen, nothing that can’t be cleaned!!

This turned into a long day as we were wanted to get to three ways tonight. So after 655klm’s of towing the van we finally reached Three Ways. We thought it would be just a park behind the roadhouse but it is very nice Plenty of water. And green grass. They actually pump it from 12 kilometres away put it through a Flocking system to purify it. Taste alright. The best part we were still in time for happy hour! How about that!!
Our next door neighbour comes from Boronia, Charles is his name travelling on his own to Darwin, where his wife is flying up to meet him(Brenda reckons that’s a good way to do it) Had a great chat with him. Its amazing what info you can get from people:- he’s a retired architect , his wife is a Chef, he’s dog hates black people!! He owns a boat that’s moored at Sandringham Y.C. Its name I think was Red William. Loves a glass of wine and more that I can’t remember.
Anyhow had dinner did my bit of typing cant get it on the Webb page as we have no hotspot here!! I have got about 5 days worth to go on!!
For those interested ULP $1.52 LPG 89.5 cents.
That’s all for this one got to get to bed another big Klm day tomorrow.

Day 40 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Day 39 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Once again woke up to a magnificent day . Perfect blue sky Sun out and already warm. 21-33 Deg.
Today we pack up and move on to Katherine. Another fairly long day in the car, about 580 Klm’s.
About 80 Klm’s east of Kununurra we reached the Northern Territory border. Here we lost 90 minutes ! The clocks had to go back the 90 minutes to match up with N.T. time. This still puts us 30 minutes less than the eastern states.
Along the route we stopped at a wayside rest area, you would have to see this place to believe it ! The toilets we as clean as any public toilets I have seen.
Here we had ravioli on toast and coffee. Like I keep telling you all, life’s tough out here in the outback!!!!!

Onward to Timber Creek reached there by 1145. Place chockers of our Brothers. The noise was something to hear!!!! Half of the men were drunk some of the women were, well lets just say happier than usual. The whole of the service station was a footy match!!! The kids were all over the place. I spoke to one older guy, who switched from his dialect to English , that quick, he amazed me!! Like I said to Brenda, they have one thing over me they can speak two languages!!!!
We grabbed a coffee there and headed out very quickly!!

Just down the road we stopped at the Durack memorial. If anyone has read “KINGS IN GLASS CASTLE” they know of what I am referring to. They were an Irish immigrant family that arrived in Sydney moved to N.T. And started one of the largest cattle properties in the N.T.

Our next stop Was Victoria River. Lunch ( hot dogs) and a cup of tea. Nice location, right on the banks of the Victoria River. Seems like a nice place to stay, maybe next trip!!!!

We arrived at Katherine at 3.30 very hot ,but not humid. It wasn’t until I got here, did I remember what it was like!! The park is big, the sites are about 1klm from the office. They have a spa, swimming pool and a bar! Which we went to the bar for the usual “medicine” but wouldn’t serve us unless we bought a meal! So , as you can expect we left and regrouped at the vans!!!

Brenda has booked us on a cruise up the Katherine Gorge tomorrow so that will be brilliant .
We have had dinner , the footy on the TV (St Kilda- Freo). What else can a man ask for, Oh! by the way the beer is icy cold too!!!!!! That’s the new Engel for you!!!
Well its been a huge day so I think we will be off to bed early tonight. See you all in cyberspace tomorrow!!!!

Day 38 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Temp today is 20-32 Deg and sunny.

Once again awake very early. The traffic starts so early.
Well today we are on baby sitting duties as Rick and Tracey are off on a flight to lake Argyle, The Bungle Bungles and of course the Diamond Mine.

Took the kids to the pool for a swim, then off to The Hoochery where they make Rum . Had a taste but rum isn’t my thing, so only had one taste.
Back to the park for a lazy afternoon, before we head off tonight on the BBQ Cruise. This is a trip around Lake Kununurra and Lily Pad lagoon. Food was excellent and so much of it!!
Once the BBQ is over we went spotting Croc’s . Only the fresh water variety. The boat skipper grabbed one from the water, we all got to photograph it. But the best part I got to hold it. Quite a soft underbelly but as expected hard topside! I was warned to keep hands clear of the teeth as they might only be small but he said they will rip you open really quickly!!! Steady as she goes!!!!!!!
We did this same cruise 6 years ago, and is was still as good as the first time!!!!!

Back to the van for a start on the pack up as tomorrow we move once again. This time it’s off to Katherine and the Hot springs’

See, every move brings something new to enjoy!!!!

Day 37 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Awake early today! Traffic noise from road in front of park seems to start very early!!!! Nice warm day19 to 31 Deg.

We went to Zebra Rock. What’s that you may ask? Its rock that they only mined from Lake Argyle, and they sculpt lots of different shapes , patterns and animals. The pattern is mainly striped excellent looking rock.
But he down side is it’s very expensive…
At the back of the gallery is a fish feeding platform. The amount of fish that come to the edge is incredible. Catfish the main variety. The guy told us that a while ago they sold it as catfish and it cost $4.50 per Kilo.
It has since been renamed to Silver Cobbler and now sells for $ 18.00 per kilo work that one out!!!
In the arvo went fishing for the big one “the Barra” managed to catch one but bugger me dead it was 10cms to small and had to go back. Ricks boy Wes hooked a76 Cm which we kept and had for tea, it fed 8 people.
What makes you laugh is it cost $150.00 each so $300.00 for a fish and chip dinner for 8. There is value there somewhere but haven’t work it out yet!!! And the rules are only one in your possession at any time.
For those interested fuel ULP $1.58 LPG .89 cents
Also the nights are nice and cool so under the doona which makes a change.

DAy 36 remains copyright of the author ozfirie, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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