Wednesday the 17th
of July we headed off on the first of many trips planned for the future.
Leaving home about 8am heading
south to Black Cockatoo Bush Camp. Near Naracoorte SA
The trip was detoured as there was a vehicle accident that closed
the Dukes Highway near Keith ...we headed to Meningie. then on to Kingston
Were going to have lunch at
Lucindale but my GPS thought we needed a
60klm scenic tour and by-passed the town....ending up at Naracoorte where we
were to be .
We were going to stay for a
couple days but after a stormy and very wet night and freezing cold morning we
decided to move on...heading over the boarder of Victoria... the road across
was a surprise with 3 large turtles crossing in a 10klm distance. At Edenhope
had a look at their caravan park by a lake at $25 a night powered. it was just
to cold and windy off the lake...so onwards we travelled....arriving at Harrow
still cold but with a powered site at $12 a night. we soon set up and relaxed
with a cup of coffee..water boiled from an electric jug.....different from a
campfire the day/night before.
After lunch we decided a walk
along the main street of the town was worth the time including free entry to a
Museum telling the town's history.
Still cold and windy...what will tomorrow bring?
Day 3 and nothing has
changed.....still wet and cold..sitting in the van. watching wrens
outside......while Rosie was up the street paying for extra night here. I went
for a walk down in the unpowered camping area at $8 p/n..... I think I'll give
camping there a miss and spend the extra $4 and stay where we are. We are
thinking of going south to Balmoral tomorrow then maybe on to Cavendish...in
the lower end of the Grampians.
A donkey nearby lets all know
he's around by calling out …..apart from birds and the occasional car.. that's
about all noise you can hear.
Day 4.....another wet
day.quick pack up and on the road 9am..heading south..
Balmoral CP was on a very steep angle and at $30 a night..we decided to head on to Cavendish Reserve Camp Ground...powered site at $7.50 ph/pn
toilets and showers and a camp kitchen area
Balmoral CP was on a very steep angle and at $30 a night..we decided to head on to Cavendish Reserve Camp Ground...powered site at $7.50 ph/pn
toilets and showers and a camp kitchen area
Day 5
slept in till 8am....seeing it was Sunday. Had
breakfast in the kitchen shelter...though it didn't matter as it still freezing
cold. we tidied up and headed down to the Wannon River just down the hill from
our van..got back to the van ...for a hot cup of coffee..wondering if we could
have a camp fire..quite windy..thinking YES..then sky went black and
stormy......so in the van we went....If it doesn't clear up soon....we could be
taking all the fire wood we brought with us back home
We might be heading North
through the Western side of the Grampians to Hynes Camp Ground...on the
Rockland’s Reservoir.
Day 6
We have moved on.......but
first we had to go to Hamilton to get fuel and supplies...then headed up the
Henty Highway to Hynes campground I visited years ago and thought it was a
dump....well we tried again....place has been cleaned up..same ol amenities
block..but clean...powered site $15 a night...leave money in an honesty box by
a rain tank....theres about 8 vans here...no cars....we could be on our own.
Might stay 3 nights.
Day 7
Still at Hynes we had a cold
night....very fine misty rain.woke this morning to be surrounded in fog....it
burnt away leaving a cool breezy day
Rosie did some house/van work
including clothes washing..and I strung a line up between 2 trees for her to
hang them on.
We have resident wrens (7)
sitting on our shoes...lots of magpies and rosellas....plus 3 Emus roaming
about 30 mtrs away.
Rosie is currently making home
made mince pies in ramekins to cook later in the campoven for dinner.
The sky is getting
dark...might be a storm brewing coming in from SE
Still no Caretaker......few
cars have came in then left. might be just checking the place out.
At $15 a night who would spend
$30 a night at a CP...... power/water/showers supplied here.
Got a phone call from
Charlotte this morning.Its her birthday (12)...my grand kids are growing up
fast
Rick just rang.........called
us wimps..hahaha!!!..hes camping in cabins now cause hes getting old Hahaha!!
Day 8
Still at Hynes....might leave
tomorrow
Beautiful day today.....bright
sunrise.....blue sky.....best day weather wise since start of trip....sat out
doors all day by fire though we really didnt need it for warmth seen lots of
kangaroos today close by..a wren making the van its home again.....we left the
door open...to air it out feels damp indoors
Still no one-else
here.....well.....prob make this place even better being by ourselves.
Last night Rosie made
home-made pies in campoven....Yummmmmm!!!
tonight I think its beef stew.
Day 9
We packed up and headed NW to
Toolondo.....what a dump..$12ph/pn plus extra $7 for power.NO THANKS......we
came across Natimuk CP at $25 a night powered.
After lunch we went for a walk
to lake only to follow a path which was probably 4 klm long........lots of
native birds by van again...including baby rabbits....... Might go to Brim
tomorrow..great sunset
Day 10
We Packed up and was on the
road by 9am......Headed through Horsham then North to Warracknabeal...called
into Fishers IGA to top up on food then to Caltex to get diesel $152.9 + 4cents
off
Next stop was Brim at $10 p/n
.we booked 2 nights
Lovely spot by a small
lake..modern hot showers and toilet and changing area inside...great picnic area...beautiful
day weather wise
Day 11
Woke to a not as great weather
day...no rain but cold wind...spent lot of time collecting fire wood.(though we
still have what we came to Victoria with)..... Rosie made steak and mushroom
pies for dinner...”Yumbo”
Rosie walked in to Brim
town...about 1klm had to get her newspaper.
Sat out side for short time by
the brazzier fire tonight but got too windy and cold.....Rosie been taking pics
of our meals for reminder..back to Warracknabeal in morning to meet a TC chat
member Tess...then head north again...this time Hopetoun.
Day 12
Well we left Brim after 2
relaxing days sitting by camp fire........was great meeting up with a fellow TC
member today...between rain showers....by the way Thanks Tess for the
cuppa.......
We are now at Hopetoun ...Mallee Bush Retreat camp area....$15 a night powered/flushing toilets/showers on Lake Lascelles
We are now at Hopetoun ...Mallee Bush Retreat camp area....$15 a night powered/flushing toilets/showers on Lake Lascelles
Thunder and lightning
tonight...some rain
Day 13
Woke to brilliant blue sky
this morning went for a walk up the street and met the people that were also
staying at Brim.....who then parked rear us again where we are now.....also met
little later a couple who parked near us at Natimuk CP.
After lunch we went for a
stroll half way around the Lake...to see the amenities in the free camping
area...just as good as ours with flushing toilets and hot showers...and
undercover BBQs..only thing no power.
Got the fire going for dinner
tonight..and YEP..Rosie..just about to cook .when it started raining
heavy......managed to get the brazier to a veranda ...and continue cooking
Chicken Tonight in camp-oven
Depending on weather...we
might be staying or heading out of Victoria and stay over-night at Lamaroo CP
Day 14
Left Hopetoun this
morning....after a very foggy and heavy dew start
We headed back over the SA
Boarder and staying the night at Lameroo CP before going home tomorrow
END OF TRIP!!!!
another week and we will be off again to Victoria maybe!
