Has anyone else had problems with locals?
Submitted: Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 20:51
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AnneMarie
Hi - a friend and I are planning a 2-3 week drive from
Tom Price to
Mount Warning via a the Red Centre in June. Just taking a Turbo Diesel Landcruiser, trailer and tent. We decided on this route as it is far more interesting than the Nullarbor!
However, I have just heard about some pretty scary tales about 'locals' flagging down cars, appearing to have car trouble or simply pulling up alongside your car/caravan if you have stopped overnight, stopping so close to the vehicle to prevent you opening the doors and then smashing the cars windows to gain access to things like fridges, cameras, laptops etc to re-sell later!! I want to have a fun trip and not be terrified of being attacked like this if we stop at a
free camp site! Has anyone else heard stories like this? I really hope this is just an isolated case and not a common occurrence in our beautiful outback. I HAVE also heard many GOOD reports about locals being good natured and very helpful.
I hope to hear some GOOD stories! :)
Reply By: Dan - Yal - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:08
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:08
Hi AnneMarie,
funnily enough we started our trip around Oz from
Tom Price. Went up to
Karratha and followed the coast, travelling anti clockwise, now in
Brisbane. Admittedly its a different route to yours. We have free camped in our Landcruiser all but about 10 nights since November 08. Have not had any troubles at all.
From my experience, the stories you have been told are far from common, however, I havent yet travelled the route you are suggesting. Dont let heresay put you off having a good time.
Good luck
Dan
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:02
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:02
Thank you, Yal - we plan on having a great time and look forward to reporting back with comments and photos. :)
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Reply By: Member - Vivien C (VIC) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:09
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:09
AnneMarie,
We have travelled on the roads you are talking about from the
Pilbara to
Alice Springs and had no problems at all. We did come across one group on the road and we stopped to see if we could help. They were friendly and we talked for a while then left as there was nothing we could do for them.
At night, when we camped
well off the road, we didn't even hear another vehicle, let alone have someone come and attack us.
I don't know of any situations like you mention. Don't be fearful. Your trip should be a happy adventure. It's great country out there.
Viv
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:30
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:30
Thank you so much, Vivien - so glad to hear you had nothing but good to say about people you have met on your travels.
Annie and I intend to see and experience as much as we can on our trip. My friend is house-sitting a B&B in
Mount Magnet, and I suggested I tag along for company on the long drive across the country. I am sure we'll have a fabulous trip! :)
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 06:53
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 06:53
Oops! NOT Mt Magnet!!! I meant to say
Mount Warning, NSW, near Murwillumbah! ;)
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Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:17
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:17
We were flagged down on the
Great Central Road by a man whose Landcruiser had run out of diesel some distance east of
Laverton, where people were gathering for NAIDOC week. He had walked some way back from the car where other family members waited. It was a hot morning to be out walking. He asked for diesel but we didn't carry any spare. I offered to seek help for him when we reached
Laverton but he declined the offer. He asked if we had water so i cheerfully gave him a bottle of water from our fridge. The family later flagged us down, and we said we had spoken to their driver.
We have also been conned out of our jerry can of ULP (for the generator) along the Nullabor - the man said they needed just a few litres to get them
home, but emptied the whole lot into their car. At least we saw it go into the car. Really, on the scale of a trip to Tasmania is was a very minor cost.
On the WA side, all locals smiled and waved at us, whereas on the NT side they looked sad and did not respond to a greeting or wave.
This year we will travel through
the desert country into NT and
bush camp with confidence.
Motherhen
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:39
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:39
Hi Motherhen!
Thanks for your interesting and informative reply! I guess the bottom line is to use common sense and don't
camp alone if possible.
Sad to hear that people in the NT did not want to wave or respond with any cheer.
I look forward to report back here after our adventure! :)
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:38
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:38
Hi AM
We usually do
camp alone - just love the solitude of the bush. We try and get out of line of sight of the road, but sometimes just stop in rest areas near the road - although we often have to 'share' these. We do not
camp near towns or settlements - i think that is the key factor.
Mh
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Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 07:02
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 07:02
I have also had an experience similar to Motherhen on the GCR. Sep. last year, between
Laverton and Tjukayiria road house we stopped to help with a
puncture and were asked for food, water and fuel. Soon found that they had about 20 lt of water and there was heaps of junk food in the boot and rear
seat areas. In the end found that all they needed to do was pump up a spare tire and put it on the vehicle. They had been to a gathering in
Laverton.
.
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 08:16
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 08:16
About 7 years ago we had a similar experience on
the Tanami track. We were flagged down, very politely by a group and asked for petrol. We had none to spare (and would not have given petrol anyway) but did offer water and some food as the group included women and children. Another couple who were on the track at the same time felt rather threatened when they were similarly flagged down by a large group of men.
That said our only really disconcerting experience was years ago on the west coast of Tasmania when local youths apparently didnt want us near their headland
fishing spot and "buzzed" us on trail bikes until we moved.
When we travel alone we
bush camp and aim to get out of sight as much as we can - as Willem says, get away from the road, out of sight and you will be fine. If you want to spend the night beside the road try to do so in the company of other campers.
Have a great time.
Val
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:41
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:41
Hi Kiwi Kia
They were probably on their way back
home from NAIDOC if you went through a few days after we did. There was also a funeral in
Leonora the same day - a big crowd, all
well dressed, gathering at a hall. The people we met on the road I'm sure were genuinely out of fuel. They had NT plates on their Cruiser, which looked
well kept. The man walking certainly appreciated the water.
Mh
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Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 08:13
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 08:13
I think you are right MH, they were going
home from a gathering - can't remember what it was for (mid September). We offered to phone for them to get assistance from their community but when they kept putting us off doing that we began to think that something was not kosher. We repaired one hole in a tube for them and then found that they had not even tried to pump up their spare. We made them call their 'man' out of the scrub and use their own jack to put the spare on their vehicle and pump it up. We had been told that there was no one at the community as they were all away at the gathering but they were returning that day. Now, knowing that there would be other people from the community returning from the gathering later that day we wiped the sweat from our brows and left then to it.
.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 13:53
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 13:53
Hi KK
Likewise the gent we stopped for didn't take up my offer to contact anyone in
Laverton for help. As it was a big NAIDOC weekend there would have been others coming through. My husband was concerned about leaving them, but we did all we could when he didn't want anything more.
It was a nice welcome into WA when we crossed the border, after being ignored when we waved in the NT. The people in the first car we met all smiled and waved at us.
Mh
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Reply By: Member - AJB (VIC) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:42
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:42
The stories that you here are generally just stories. If they were any more than that they would be headlines in the tabloids at least. Old Mick who used to run
Carranya when it was a roadhouse used to tell yarns like this all the time. It was all BS but we met many travellers who believed it and, like you, were a little terrified. People like that get off on the crap they spread and they repeat it so many times, they actually believe it themselves.
Just remain alert, helpful, friendly and you'll be fine. The ones you would have had trouble with are behind bars, 3 come to mind easily, and they were not "locals".
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:56
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:56
Thanks AJB - I really appreciate your reply and all the other great
feedback and support in this
forum! :)
I do feel a little more at ease about the trip again.
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:46
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:46
AnneMarie,
on one of the caravan forums there was mention of an incident like this, but it happened on the outskirts of a country town in NSW. That's probably where incidents like you describe are more likely to occur: on the outskirts of towns, and not limited to any particular group of people. This is where you are more likely to have the combination of alcohol, hoon behaviour etc.
However, as two girls travelling alone you are right to ask the question.
I don't want to take the Thread off on a tangent, but I didn't think you were rude.
cheers
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:01
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:01
Thank you, GB! A very interesting point you make and I'd say very true!
We've been nick-named Aussie Thelma & Louise!!! LOl! However, there will be no murders committed or driving off into canyons!!!! LOL!!
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:03
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:03
But I bet if Brad Pitt flagged you down for a lift you would stop !!!
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:12
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:12
Well... yes, I just might!! LOL!! Don't think I'd like to cross Angelina tho'!!
That's all for me tonight - thanks to everyone here for their kind and helpful replies. MUCH appreciated!
Night all! :)
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Reply By: Member - Footloose - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:47
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 21:47
I've come across women on their own in very remote locations a few times. None have expressed any safety worries about the locals or other travellers.
Mind you one
young lady was worried about the camels that rampaged through their
camp the night before :))
I was told the story of a couple of o/s ladies in a Britz who couldn't change a tyre on a community road that they thought was a shortcut. A car full of locals pulled up to ask if they were Ok, and they locked themselves inside in terror ! Wouldn't come out until they saw a white face :))
With few exceptions the locals are going to leave you alone. As Willem said, the exceptions can be got around by using common sense. Camping either in town or off the track where you can't be spotted after dark.
I have always stopped for locals in need , and never felt put upon or in any danger.
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:09
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:09
Hi ya Footloose!
I enjoyed reading your reply very much - had a bit of a chuckle! I have in my time met some lovely Aboriginal people from isolated settlements - funny and cheerful in most cases.
As I said earlier, my friend has just spent a lot of time working with Indigenous people and their communities and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I'm sure we will be fine, using our common sense! :)
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Follow Up By: Member - Footloose - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:12
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:12
Have a great trip :))
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Reply By: Bushed-Tracker - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:18
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:18
Not all stories are BS! Four years ago we were passed by a LC travelling extremely fast whilst out on bush on dirt roads. We drew up behind said LC parked on a narrow
creek crossing well east of
Old Halls Creek. We waited several minutes as there were people (aboriginals) in the vehicle.
After waiting we assumed they did not realize we were there and gave a polite toot.
Driver door flew open, a very drunk and aggressive aboriginal stood screaming abuse, then ripped open rear offside passenger door and rumagged around then produced a large martial arts style knife and continued to threaen us waving the knife.
We reversed with our camper trailer some 20 feet and sat with all the doors locked. He eventaully ran out of steam and tore off down the road. Fortunately for him he did not advance towards our vehicle.
There was a woman and small children in the car - it was a government vehicle and it was Sunday.
Full statement made to the
Halls Creek police - result zilch!
When I followed uo several days later. The police stated they had contacted the driver who stated they were out hunting bush tucker and had shown the police a small sheath knife.
I think the bush-tucker was EMU - many cans by the state he was in. So it does happen - albeit very very rarely and it could have just as easily been a drunken white person. We still spend most of our time out
bush camping - now with a Bushtracker van with no problems at all.
B-T
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:22
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:22
Oh dear! Sounds like an 'interesting' meeting... NOT! LOL! Seems the 'common sense, wait and see' approach works best in most cases! And I guess you could add the old saying our mum always used - 'if in doubt, DON'T!' :)
Cheers,
AM
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Reply By: D200Dug- Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:24
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 22:24
We did a similar trip a while back now and did have 2 guys try to wave us down for petrol just outside a settlement No car just a cordial bottle for fuel. We kept going. Some days later we came across a family stuck beside the road an Older Aboriginal couple and some
young kids kids with a flat tyre. We stopped and helped change the tyre as they were having problems. While I changed the tyre they brewed up a billy of tea we chatted for a while over billy tea and biscuits and off we both went.
It has been my experience that Aboriginals are the same as people everywhere. Most are good some are great and a few are just bad bastards.
Be careful but don't let it stop you from doing things.
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:36
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:36
Hey D200Dug!
Well said and very true indeed!
Let common sense and intuition prevail! :)
Cheers,
AM
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Reply By: Member - Campergirl (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 23:19
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 23:19
Hi Anne Marie
I travel regularly on my own - yes single girl - exploring our country.
Common sense prevails in these situations.
I usually
camp at least 1 hr from any major town where possible - as it's usually too far for the bored ones (usually the local kids) to come and harass you.
Truck stops although can be noisy - are great if you don't feel safe but need to stop for the night. The Truckies seem to take on this "I'll protect you" attitude if you're female. I've met so many great Truckies.
I"ll stop if I see someone on the side of the road who appears to be having trouble. Why? Because it has been me before and if everyone thought the worst of everyone- I'd probably still be stranded!
You can usually suss if a situation doesn't look or feel right. Trust your instincts. If you're not sure - keep the doors locked and windows up and just crack one window enough to talk to whoever it is you've stopped for. Then if it's not right - hold it flat!
Hey - it's all just an adventure - be positive and enjoy.
:-)
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:40
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:40
Hi Campergirl!
Great to hear of your experiences as a woman travelling alone. With the 2 of us I'm sure we'll be fine and have a lot of fun along the way. We were best mates at high school ( a looooooooong time ago - both
well over 50 now!) and only recently re-connected through emails. Annie recently stayed with us for a few days - it was wonderful! Easiest house guest we've ever had staying with us! We are both country girls, down-to-earth and easy-going so I KNOW this will be a fantastic trip!
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Reply By: Member - BUNDY BOY (WA) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 23:31
Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 23:31
Annemarie
get asked the same thing all the time.....i know the way you are going ...as said by others .stay at least 40/50 k ms out of town.there's some nice large overnight
parking bays (for caravans and campers)NOT the truck bays.......along the way.....you wouldn't be alone on the road as these are very
well used by travellers . if there's non in ith area were you are.........assuming your pulling up before dark.....take a look there's many
places you can pull of the road in behind trees and bushes...........not far of the road but good enough not to be seen .....and close enough if you have a
breakdown.....myself have not had any incidents .but it always pays to be prepared...
lock everything and just be aware .but enjoy it
Bundy
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Follow Up By: darcla - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 00:44
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 00:44
Annmarie
It is some years since I travelled the road & as far as I am still aware you need permits to traverse the road you are talking about & they clearly state that you are not to deviate more than 50 meteres off the road & can only
camp at
places designated in the permit. All that aside we obtained our permits but camped where we pleased when we pleased but
well off the road & I mean
well off the road & dont light a fire as that is a dead give away for
miles. Your biggest concern will be Dingoes coming in aroud your
campsite looking for food scraps ,also burn your
toilet paper as they dig that up as
well & make a hell of a mess .
Cheers Darcla
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Reply By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 07:21
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 07:21
We heard the same story a couple of years ago when we went up through the centre from Pt
Augusta to Alice and beyond, just after we had started
free camping. Think it mat be a 'myth' maybe perpetuated by caravan park owners keen to keep their
places packed with travellers!
We (a couple in late 50's in c'van) freecamped through much of Qld last year and never had a problem, currently in SA and doing it now - will be for the next 5 months through WA. We dont
camp near to towns usually and try to find somewhere hidden from the road if it isnt a designated '
rest area'.
We try to leave no trace of our stay apart from tyre tracks.
Its a great way to see the country, especially the more remote
places - experience the starry skies all alone, the silence ....
Enjoy your trip and relax!
Heather
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:49
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:49
Hi Heather!
Ha! Yeah, that figures! I am sure not all caravan park owners are like that, but there are probably a few here and there...
I look forward to hearing more about your travels and adventures in this wonderful country of ours. :)
Cheers,
AM
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Reply By: Member - Keith C (NSW) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 09:22
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 09:22
Hi Annemarie,as Richard said,you will be safe, but your loose goods may not be. On our last trip we had trouble with the local aboriginals in
Tennant Creek,the owner of the van park,aboriginal herself, advised us to take the courtesy bus and not to walk to the club,for very good reason as it turned out, the "locals" went beserk from 11pm till sunrise. In
Alice Springs the "locals"came thru the campgrounds the night we were there,our dog alerted me at 3am and I watched as they entered the gazebo next to
our camp,I went out with the axe handle and chased them off,they ran like hell,leaving behind a trail of wine casks and beer cans they had stolen, and some very nervous campers. We free camped for the rest of our trip and no worries ,sadly it is a problem in some
places
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:52
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:52
Thanks Keith - will remember to stay way out of towns!! And keep a little tomahawk handy!!!!! ;)
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Reply By: Member - Richard H (NSW) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 09:52
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 09:52
My wife & I have been travelling since 1990.
During this time we have never experienced any problems, though I know of two incidents and I consider the sources reliable.
One was in a
rest area west of
Katherine when a man and his partner had a domestic dispute, where people had to intervene, and the other was in
Tennant Creek, where the victim was silly enough to park his mobile
home in the town. During the night some of the locals banged on the side of his vehicle, and a dispute ensued.
We are careful where we stay on the road, never within 20 km of a town or community, and always try to get somewhere with company.
And of course we have '
Tarlee', who likes to sleep near the van door.Image Could Not Be Found
Sometimes 'locals' tend not to like dogs, even one as useless as ours, but they don't know do they?
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:57
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:57
Thank you so much, Richard! Great to hear your
feedback and I love
Tarlee! Sadly, we would not have any room for a wee doggie in the Landcruiser and as someone else mentioned, a dog does limit where you can travel a little. :)
In fact, my dear husband and I are planning a trip around Oz in a few years (partly as he is still working!) in the hope that by then we will be on our own as we can't bear to put our beloved 6 yr old Rhodesian Ridgeback into a kennel for a longer period of time than a couple of weeks!
Cheers and many thanks again.
AM
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Reply By: OzTroopy - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 12:07
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 12:07
AnneMarie
"incidents" in australia are not that rare and public knowledge of them is dependant on our government sponsored "tourist friendly image".
The incidents are not of the american type, commonly acted out in front of a handheld digital camera and touted as quality
home movie entertainment .....
It is normally cases of vehicle damage or theft, loss of personal items/funds or intimidation ... all much more acceptable than Warner Bros Movieworld, hillbilly, cannabilism tales.
Take heed of advice / info already offered and remember that in some areas ... the closer to "civilisation" you are .. the less civilised it is likely to be ....
As for locals .... yep ... black, white or brindle ... there are dregs of society in all cultures.
Get out and ENJOY your trip.
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Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 12:13
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 12:13
Thanks for your reply, OzTroopy! Good advice and
well heeded. :)
I am so grateful to all those who have replied with their stories, hints and tips - so much appreciated.
I promise you, we WILL enjoy our trip very much! :)
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