Smokeydk: West Victoria 2 weeks trip

Wednesday the 17^th 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

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

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