Before hitting Sydney, we had arranged to spend a night in Toowoon Bay to see a friend from Glasgow. Linda and I both went to Levern Primary School in the 1960s and she was in my sister’s class. We booked in to Toowoon Bay Holiday Park where Linda has a permanent caravan, and she came up from Sydney to stay for the weekend to see us.

Of course Linda and I had lots to catch up on so we talked for hours! She had lunch prepared for us and we bought fish and chips in the evening. It was quite cold and wet but the next morning we woke to sunshine. The three of us wandered down to the local surf club for breakfast. It was lovely overlooking the beach.

It was great to see Linda and I hope it’s not too long until we meet again.

Our next stop was Umina but we detoured on the way to see Ross and Sue at Lake Munmorah. We had caught up in Rockhampton when they were on a road trip in their new van. It was nice to have coffee with them at their home and meet their youngest grandchild, Libby. We exchangeď travel stories and future plans with them. But too soon it was time to move on again.

We have family in Umina and they had invited us to stay with them. Richard and Frances had dinner prepared and the heater on in the spare room. They must have known we were feeling the cold! We had a terrific catch up with them. They seemed disappointed we couldn’t stay longer but we left with promises to keep in touch and see them on their next visit to Western Australia.

And the family visits kept on coming! We headed to Milperra to Jan Flannery’s home and were delighted to find most of her family there. Bacon and eggs were already on the barbecue so we enjoyed breakfast with them all. At 84, Jan looked amazing which was comforting, and the rest of the family were well and happy. Some of them were planning caravan trips so were keen to check out our van and hear about our travels. They also had a look at the map on the wall of our van on which we have traced our trip so far.

We left Jan and her lovely family and drove to Vineyard to camp at long time friends, Jenny and Robin’s. They insisted we stay in their granny flat and that turned out well as we were really feeling the cold. Jenny and I have been friends since 1979 when I started my first job in Australia as a secretary at Eagle and Globe Steel. Jenny was the receptionist there and Denise, whom we spent time with in Laurieton, also worked alongside us. We used to go out lots in those days and Robin sometimes came along. They often invited me to family events and I remember both their families fondly. What I also remember fondly is the delicious Indian curries that Jenny used to make.

Once again Jenny had prepared a yummy curry for dinner! She and I also enjoyed a bottle of the wine we had bought at Boydell’s, and caught up with all our news while John and Robin talked golf.

We had two nights with them and they made us so welcome. We had a great time and hope it won’t be too long until we see them again.

Another friend I managed to meet was Leonie. She and I were secretaries at Binder Hamlyn in Sydney in the mid 1980s. Like all the others we have caught up with on this trip, we only see each other every few years but just pick up where we left off. We met for morning coffee which went through to lunch then to afternoon tea! We still had plenty to talk about but the cafe was closing!

Our last catch up was in Wollongong so we headed south to the Towradgi Beach Hotel to meet Alexandra for lunch. The last time I saw Alex she was a girl; now she is a mother of two. Isabel was in kindy but we enjoyed her gorgeous little boy Sebastian. It was yet another lovely, chatty time with a long time friend. Again, I hope it isn’t too long until we meet again.

It has been very special to see so many long time friends all the way from Townsville down to Wollongong. Unfortunately distance keeps us apart, but this trip has shown me that the bonds remain.

We have reached the point in our journey that I have dreaded: we begin to go west and slowly head for home.