Stats July 2022

Total Days Travelled 31 (1276)

Total km for the month 1,137 (69,751)
Most km in a day 218 (447)
Average Daily Km 36 (54)
Monthly Budget $2,000 ($90,500)
Monthly Spend $1,717, ($90,582)
Accommodation Nights 31 (1276)
Family/Friends 0 (484)
Low/No cost 14 (373)
National Parks 0 (11)
Caravan Parks 10 (203)
Showgrounds 0 (47)
Station Stays 0 (1)
Pub Stays 4 (33)
Motel 0 (15)
House Sit 0 (58) Nature Park 3 (49) AirBnb 0 (2)

Books Read 11 (153)

The Housemate by Sarah Bailey

It was great to read a crime thriller set in Australia and not America. With all the usual twists and turns in a crime novel and then some, The Housemate was one of those books that you just want to keep reading each new chapter as all the subplots come together and revelation after explosive revelation keep you guessing. If you are into crime thrillers check this one out.

Rubyvale, Slow Down Or You’ll Pass It by Beryl & Lauren Gartrell

A gem (pun intended) if you are interested in a history of life on the gem fields in Central Queensland in the 1950’s onwards. Originally published in 1998 by Beryl, it has been reprinted to now include her daughter Lauren’s perspective as a child growing up in the gem fields at Rubyvale. A very interesting and entertaining look at life in the late 50’s and early 60’s in the bush without electricity and all the mod cons that we now take for granted.

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

Based on the true story of Nancy Wake, one of Australia’s real life WW2 heroine’s, this was a really hard book to put down once you started reading. Fascinating amid the atrocities of war; the guts , cunning, intrigue and ultimate courage of the woman the Germans called The White Mouse, Code Name Helene is not only a fascinating story but also a walk into history. After reading 145 books on my trip, this one is definitely in my Top Ten.

Robert Solomon Wainwright-A Man For All Regions by Norma Wainwright

Born in 1928 in the Pilbara town of Roebourne, Bob Wainwright didn’t care much for school and was one of ten siblings. He started work as an apprentice baker at 13 years of age. He eventually found his way to Perth where he was employed by Bell Brothers. While working with Bell Bros he travelled to the Kimberley and eventually made his life there, firstly in Derby and later in Wyndham, Turkey Creek and Kununurra. In Derby he established a transport business and later “discovered” the Bungle Bungles and set up the first business ferrying tourists into this area. Bob’s life story (so far) is written by his wife Norma. Written in 2009 with humour and in a no nonsense style encapsulates the man, the Legend that Bob apparently was. I love these biographies of local pioneers.

The Widow of Ballarat by Darry Fraser

Thoroughly enjoyed this well written book. Set in the gold rush days of the 1850’s in the Victorian town of Ballarat, Nell is a strong willed woman caught in the male dominated times. It’s a love story built on an historical background with twists and turns and surprises galore. Australian historical fiction at its best.

Turning The Tide by Nigel Cawthorne

A very interesting book about a number of the battles fought in WW2 and their significance in the War eventually ending in 1945. Whilst I have read a bit about WW2 in the past, this book shed new light. It was informative and easy to read, and importantly, easy to understand despite the obvious inclusion of plenty of statistics.

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

Sometimes it amazing me how an author can think up the storyline. This one had a bizarre script but when you analysed it, it really was a plausible and cunningly brilliant and totally feasible plot. Seventy seven chapters long, each chapter’s ending begged you to begin the next one. A fantastic thriller. Worth hunting this book down. If you do, remember the number 77!

Gold, Black Gold & Intrigue by Cyril Grabs

The story of Mount Morgan is a fascinating history lesson of the Ironsides Mountain situated some 50km south west of Rockhampton, Queensland. Mount Morgan is the richest single mountain of gold ever discovered. And when the gold ran out there was one of the largest single deposits of copper to keep the mine life going. The dividends received from the shares in Mount Morgan Gold Mine helped discover the oil that made The oil giant BP what it is today. Fascinating reading.

Looking for Trouble by Cath Staincliffe

A Private Detective takes on a “simple” missing persons case…….The storyline is not new but it was full of action and the “who done it” aspect kept you wanting to know more. As crime thrillers go it was a good read.

The Quiet American by Graham Greene

I really am not sure what to make of this book. Set in the Vietnam War era it was really hard to get interested in it. Although the author is a celebrated writer with tens of titles to his name, I found his style very different to the novels I normally read. Maybe I am missing something but I couldn’t see the purpose in the storyline and found it tedious.

Perfect by Rachel Joyce

Is there such a thing as perfection? Can one simple decision change the course of history? Two stories running parallel which at first glance seem to have no connection but then you realise it’s the same character. But then you are told it is not. Confused? I think that is the intention. It does make you think along the lines of “What if?” or “If only.” Thought provoking