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