Yes we are still on the Murray.

Yet again we have not stretched ourselves and remain dawdling down the Murray River, becoming confused daily as to whether we are in New South Wales or Victoria. Our first stop of the week was a lovely little town called Kerang where we got a well overdue haircut and bought some delicious locally made shortbread from the hardware store - as you do!! Then it was off to The Kerang Lakes District for a picnic, where the R.A.A.F established the Catalina Flying Boat Depot during World War Two – all very top secret at the time. Finally we arrived in the Swan Hill region where we stayed a few days at the small township of Nyah, at their Harness Racing Track, sounds odd but there was fresh water and flushing toilets both high up on the luxury list. Nyah is where the first rice farm in Australia was established in 1905 but now they are most famous for stone fruit export. We also got regular visits from the old honey farmer who dropped by for a chat every time his wife gave him to many chores to do.

One of many of Tash’s bright ideas is our new outdoor shower, it has raised a few eyebrows from the other campers, especially the other day when the wind picked up halfway through our ablutions.

The bollards where erected along the river, under the abundant river red gums to represent characters from the colourful riverboat past, such as - Pearl Wallace the first female captain, her paddle steamer “The Kookaburra” now lies on the bottom of The Murray at Nyah. There is also a female aboriginal shearer as well as the Chinese Captain Egge.

This just cracked me up it’s a WINDYLOO!!

We stopped overnight at Manangatang, nothing really there but a hot shower and free electricity. So we went crazy epilating our legs, charging the computer, even had a shower that night and in the morning. Much easier when you aren’t up to your shins in river mud to wash your hair. 

Then off to Robinvale for a feed of olives.

Our last stop before crossing the border into South Australia is a little gem of a place called Merbein Common, which is about 15min out of Mildura.

 Met up with our new friends Brett, Jeane and Bruno from Torquay in Victoria and having such a brilliant time none of us want to leave. Even rode our bikes into town for supplies so we could extend our stay.

Got more socializing to do – see you next week xx

The mighty Murray.

Well we haven’t got too much to report as we have been meandering along a variety of creeks and rivers including the Mitta Mitta and the Murray at a very slow pace.  We have stayed in some amazing free camps right next to the water which has been great as when we get up, we step outside and get a wash in the river, its amazing.  You can tell it’s really hot when Lyndi gets in the cold water with a minimal amount of fuss!!! 

We are so pleased we brought our bikes as they have been invaluable.  The free camps are usually located in the middle of nowhere and so when you need to make an essential phone call or check football scores etc. we just hop on and head into town (or should that be I!!).  The last one wasn’t so pleasant a 26 km round trip on a 40 degree day, but the fridge had been misbehaving so we needed to book it in for a checkup in Wodonga.

From the little town of Howlong we headed to Beechworth, as it was so close and despite being in Melbourne for 4 years we had never made it there! We actually stayed in a caravan park there to hook up to 240V electricity and use the washing machines, all these things you take for granted!! It was on Lake Sambell and provided a lovely track to walk around.  We obviously visited the Bridge Road brewery, and worked our way from one end of the beer taps to the other, whilst deciding which was our favourite!!  It’s a lovely little town with some cute shops and a really lovely provender where we had lunch all made with local produce!

From Beechworth we headed to another of those twin towns that straddle the Murray, with one on the Victorian side and the other on the New South Wales side- Yarrawonga-Mulwala.  This camp was right on the edge of the Murray and we just floated down the river on our noodles for the 4 days we were there!!

We did our compulsory second hand shop- book search.  We have so many books its ridiculous, but that said we are both getting through a book most days.  It’s still strange having so much time to read for pleasure rather than for Uni!

On the way to our destination we passed the BIG strawberry in Koonoomoo!!

We then headed to Tocumwal for a couple of nights, the free camp was like luxury with a toilet and cold showers, and more importantly is the home of a the BIG COD!! 

The town has a bakery, butchery, couple of antiquey shops and a little shop.  It was the first time that the weather has allowed for a cup of Yorkshire tea, along with the penguins and clubs that we found in the ‘foreigner’ aisle in the supermarket!!!!! 

We were going to the farmers market in the morning, but it was cold and rainy so we decided to have a lazy breakfast and then head off to a free camp near Rochester.  See you again soon xxx

50 SHADES OF BROWN

Beige, wheat, tan, caramel, taupe, mud, pick a colour as long as it is brown and that has been our scenery for the last week. It is difficult to even distinguish the sheep and roo’s from the landscape - unless they are moving, as it is all so brown. Despite this I still find the countryside truly spectacular, though I am really feeling for the farmers in the present drought.

Apologies on the late arrival of our weekly blog but there has been minimal to no service and I can’t take electrical equipment into a creek, which is where I have been perched almost continually to keep cool in the 40+ temperatures.

Yet again this week has been brilliant, our first ever 

experience of a folk festival at Numeralla included ukuleles, accordions, banjos, bush ballads, and an attempt at bush dancing - all washed down with a cold beer. For all you uneducated non folkies Tash's new friend is playing a lagerphone which consists of nailing bottle tops to wood then tapping the pole on the floor to provide the beat, this requires great skill and many ales !!

After these festivities we pootled on to Cooma and visited part of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric power scheme, which is recognized as a civil engineering wonder of the modern world. There are 7 major power stations, 16 major dams, 80 kms of aquaducts and145 kms of tunnels providing a large capacity of Australia’s electricity requirements.

 Reading the history relating to the construction of the scheme (which took around 25yrs) also makes you appreciate the influx of people in the 50’s from all over the world arriving and settling permanently. I would like to say a personal thanks to all the Italian farmers for their yummy fruit and veg …mmmmmmmm.

After this it was off down the Snowy Mountains Highway we went via The Big Trout at Adelong

then Tumut, Talbingo, Jingellic and Tumbarumba, finding little gems of camping areas beside crystal clear creeks (perfect time to do the washing) and staying a few days here and there.

 Not far from Talbingo we explored the Yarrangobilly Caves in Kosciuzko National Park.  They have about 5 limestone caves and a 20mtr thermal pool - which was magical. We were also informed there are platypus??? Alas the little furry fellas remained elusive yet again. 

Another more brazen form of australiana I did NOT wish to encounter came to visit us in the form of a yellow bellied black snake. Happily slithering around the van - despite me throwing things at it. This of course excited Tash no end, I was utterly unimpressed due to my intense dislike of all snakes.

 Needless to say all Tash has heard since then is “stay in the middle of the path”!!!