It’s been five months since selling up and moving into Barcoola and we have experienced a few ‘events’ Barcoola style.
After our windy weeks in Corindi (we were staying close to home for Dad) turned into a few months, we finally hit the road on December 15 and headed for Casino, NSW. Both stays have been filled with fabulous characters and fun.
Melbourne Cup Day Corindi Van Park style!
Here I am with Hans and Denise and their merry band of Tallowwood Travellers. We were invited to stay on for dinner but didn’t want to leave little Daiquiri on her own any longer. She had lost her mate of 12 years the day before and the crowd knew we were all grieving.
Next thing we hear is Denise knocking on the annex door. There she was with two generous serves of her fabulous paella, with garlic bread! Exactly want we needed to cheer us up.
What wonderful people we’re meeting. You can look out for a Hans and Denise mention in book 4, April 2016! I have a feeling there will be paella!!
Christmas Casino Style
The beef capital is a great town. I am, however concerned. I don’t think the locals are used to seeing little white fluffy dogs. We all went for ‘walkies’ down the main street and people everywhere stopped on the spot and stared with comments like . . . “Oh, a little white fluffy dog!” Maybe they are not used to a dog in a backpack. Or the Blue Heeler and Kelpie are the dog of choice? (Clearly, no one has seen how a cagey, one-dyed white, fluffy dog can fool a mob of sheep!) I did like this Casino local and his mate.
Our hosts for Christmas was The Big 4 Resort, Casino
The Big 4 Resort at Casino is two things:
- a caravan park ideal for the Biiiiig Riiiiig (you are supposed to draw out the words Biiiiig Riiiiig with a really deep, echoing voice)
- an entire community of houses especially built for people who own and need to park a Biiiiig Riiiiig.
This place is everything we hoped for. Did I mention there’s a swap library? And guess whose book I found on the shelves?
Our first Christmas was very Casino. That means HOT! But the Christmas lights were pretty cool. The permanent resident cottages are just delightful, with small, manageable gardens (unlike our unruly, triffid-type garden on our property. We have NOT missed the gardening part—yet!) I reckon one of these will be a nice little retirement plan. With room for Barcoola (which will double as guest quarters!) when winter comes . . . .off we go, while the house stays secure in a fenced estate.
Casino Library Author Chat
I’ve done a few library chats but Casino… you have set the bar pretty high. Wow! It was a great turnout. Here I am with a few hangers oners. I was sent home with a platter of yummy, homemade country-style treats (which I was assured were not fattening!)
Australia Day
I met a Bonalbo bloke at my library chat. Lance (pictured) drove into Casino to attend my chat, so I drove out to Bonalbo for their Australia Day celebrations. They clearly knew I was there because the band played a song from my up-coming release – Season of Shadow and Light!
We’ve had a great time exploring Casino. Time to head back to Corindi for a while. I have a book to launch in May. 🙂
Play this video. Celebrate Australia and Season of Shadow and Light with me.
Loving it. Happy New Year!