FINAL BIT
What can I say. We have had a fantastic holiday, but it was more than just a holiday it was an amazing experience. We have learnt a lot about our country – Australia and the people in it. We have learnt about ourselves and each other. We have travelled through such diverse environments – from flat grassy plains to mountains and the sea, through dry low scrub lands and mulga bush where termites make their mounds, up to the where there were hot springs on every corner it seemed and where there were waterfalls and rock pools to cool us off. Back down through the centre where it was a lot hillier than we expected and where the stories of indigenous people abound. The rock pebbles, marbles and boulders scattered across the landscape looking like someone had forgotten to pick them up after a game. The landscape of the MacDonnell Ranges was amazing with its jagged rock formations and gorges and amazing colours. Uluru and Kata with their changing colours and interesting formations. All the while admiring the beautiful colours of the wildflowers covering the hills and mountains as we travelled. As we entered SA it seemed like a different world with its rocky ground cover and sparse vegetation. Coober Pedy was yet another world of holes in the ground and white mounds of dirt. We experienced the outback in its glory as well as its fury. We saw old ruins and old towns and new developments where towns are bursting with life. We experienced underground life of the miners of opals, emeralds, and iron ore. We enjoyed watching all kinds of birds in their natural habitat and animals of all kinds, from big to tiny. We have seen the most amazing sunsets and sunrises and even moonrises. We enjoyed camping in the most beautiful of places – near rivers, under big old gums, near the sea, on top of mountains with great views, in the outback, in national parks and even in some caravan parks and roadside campgrounds. We also went on some great walks – short and long and enjoyed sitting by the fire most nights looking at the stars. I have to say Graeme cooks a pretty nice breakfast and I will miss cooking the vegies in the fire. We visited relatives along the way which made it even more special. We thank the Lord for his many blessings on us and for making such a wonderful world for us to explore and admire and for bringing us home safely to our family and friends.
Signing off from Our Big Holiday – our campervan adventure
Bev Hardidge
(July – August 2010)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
FIFTYSIXTH DAY – THURSDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER
It rained a bit during the night but we awoke to find blue skies and sunshine. It was our last farmers breakfast on our big trip and we ate it out in the sun. Graeme cooked it to perfection. We packed up our table and chairs, made sure the fire was out and off we went for the last time. We travelled south along a pot-holey dirt road but it was a solid road and came into Bendigo. We stopped at the info centre to find out about Toms Gold Mine, but they had no information at all – so much for an info centre! We then continued on south down the freeway back to Melbourne. As we got closer to Melbourne the clouds got darker and heavier. When we reached Mount Macedon it began to rain really heavily, and yet the sun shone through the clouds in spots. As we continued to get closer the clouds were braking up and the sun managed to shine through the gaps. The Snail went a bit slow up the hills into Melbourne and then we hit the traffic and traffic lights. We drove and stopped, drove and stopped all the way home. We arrived home about 2.20 pm to find Josh and the doggies home. We received a lovely reception from the doggies, they were so excited. It was also lovely to see Josh who was about to go off to work. We began to unload the van, but not too enthusiastically. Emma dropped in after work which was nice. Then Sam came home from school. We continued to unpack a bit but I think we’ll leave the rest for tomorrow – no big hurry.
It rained a bit during the night but we awoke to find blue skies and sunshine. It was our last farmers breakfast on our big trip and we ate it out in the sun. Graeme cooked it to perfection. We packed up our table and chairs, made sure the fire was out and off we went for the last time. We travelled south along a pot-holey dirt road but it was a solid road and came into Bendigo. We stopped at the info centre to find out about Toms Gold Mine, but they had no information at all – so much for an info centre! We then continued on south down the freeway back to Melbourne. As we got closer to Melbourne the clouds got darker and heavier. When we reached Mount Macedon it began to rain really heavily, and yet the sun shone through the clouds in spots. As we continued to get closer the clouds were braking up and the sun managed to shine through the gaps. The Snail went a bit slow up the hills into Melbourne and then we hit the traffic and traffic lights. We drove and stopped, drove and stopped all the way home. We arrived home about 2.20 pm to find Josh and the doggies home. We received a lovely reception from the doggies, they were so excited. It was also lovely to see Josh who was about to go off to work. We began to unload the van, but not too enthusiastically. Emma dropped in after work which was nice. Then Sam came home from school. We continued to unpack a bit but I think we’ll leave the rest for tomorrow – no big hurry.
FIFTYFIFTH DAY – WEDNESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER
A pinch and punch for the first day of the month. It rained during the night and I was a bit worried as to how the dirt road was going to be. Graeme checked it out and all is good. Phew! We then had our usual farmers breakfast after sleeping in a bit, as we don’t have to go too far. We packed up and carefully negotiated the holes and puddles on our way out. We went into Echuca and bought a pass to look at the old wharf and surrounding area which included an exhibition of the olden days, the builders of redgum things, the blacksmith, the underground pub. We then bought some meat from a butcher and off we went down the road towards Bendigo. We decided to go down this way as there were more options of good camp spots. There was lots of yellow on the way in the form of wattles and big yellow paddocks of canola and lots of sheep herds and big dairy cow herds. As we got closer to Bendigo we found a way to bypass it to get to our last camp spot for our big trip at the Whipstick National State Park. We followed the directions in our Camps book and found a great camp spot at Shadbolt Campground. We are the only ones here and it is pretty quiet. We set up camp, collected some wood for our fire and then went for a walk to Toms Gold Mine. It was a pretty long walk, as it turned out, but a good one, through the bush. We finally reached Toms Mine which was basically a big hole in the ground cut through the rock. Along the way we were amazed that there was an open water canal that went for kms towards the mine. This would have been made at the time of the mine. We crossed over it on several occasions. We finally got back to the van after walking for a couple of hours. Graeme stoked up the fire ready to cook our vegies. It is sad to think that this is our last night but we are looking forward to seeing all the kids and my doggies and everyone again to tell them of our adventures.
A pinch and punch for the first day of the month. It rained during the night and I was a bit worried as to how the dirt road was going to be. Graeme checked it out and all is good. Phew! We then had our usual farmers breakfast after sleeping in a bit, as we don’t have to go too far. We packed up and carefully negotiated the holes and puddles on our way out. We went into Echuca and bought a pass to look at the old wharf and surrounding area which included an exhibition of the olden days, the builders of redgum things, the blacksmith, the underground pub. We then bought some meat from a butcher and off we went down the road towards Bendigo. We decided to go down this way as there were more options of good camp spots. There was lots of yellow on the way in the form of wattles and big yellow paddocks of canola and lots of sheep herds and big dairy cow herds. As we got closer to Bendigo we found a way to bypass it to get to our last camp spot for our big trip at the Whipstick National State Park. We followed the directions in our Camps book and found a great camp spot at Shadbolt Campground. We are the only ones here and it is pretty quiet. We set up camp, collected some wood for our fire and then went for a walk to Toms Gold Mine. It was a pretty long walk, as it turned out, but a good one, through the bush. We finally reached Toms Mine which was basically a big hole in the ground cut through the rock. Along the way we were amazed that there was an open water canal that went for kms towards the mine. This would have been made at the time of the mine. We crossed over it on several occasions. We finally got back to the van after walking for a couple of hours. Graeme stoked up the fire ready to cook our vegies. It is sad to think that this is our last night but we are looking forward to seeing all the kids and my doggies and everyone again to tell them of our adventures.
FIFTYFOURTH DAY – TUESDAY 31ST AUGUST
Slept in a bit this morning. I got up and made a farmers breakfast – probably not as good as what Graeme cooks it though. We travelled down the Murray Valley Hwy towards Swan Hill. We stopped to look at the Tyntyndyer Historic Homestead but unfortunately there was no one there so we had a quick look ourselves and left. It looked as though it had been a good tourist location but it seems to be a little run down now. We entered Swan Hill and Graeme wanted to go to KFC to buy some chicken so he could use it for bait to try and catch some big Murray crayfish. Found KFC, bought some and continued on down the road. There were many beautiful wattles out in flower along the way. We headed for Torrumbarry Weir which was our overnight destination. We checked out the weir across the Murray which was an amazing structure. They even made a special area which they called a ‘ladder’ where the fish are able to go upstream through. We then ventured down the dirt road towards our camp spot. It was a bit touch and go as it had been raining and there were a few puddles along the road. As you have read about our not-so-good track record of going down dirt roads I was a little unsure, however Graeme was confident it would be alright. We found a really nice place near the river after collecting some firewood along the way. We settled down for the evening. Graeme made his usually good fire and we watched and listened to all the bird life settling down for the night too. They made a pretty big noise about it – especially the sulphur crested cookatoos. Boy! Do they make a commotion. We swear that one that landed in the tree above us said “Hello”. Graeme didn’t have much luck in catching any crayfish with the KFC. All he caught were these itsy bitsy little shrimp type things and they were promptly thrown back. We had a delicious dinner cooked in the fire and marshmallows to finish off the evening.
Slept in a bit this morning. I got up and made a farmers breakfast – probably not as good as what Graeme cooks it though. We travelled down the Murray Valley Hwy towards Swan Hill. We stopped to look at the Tyntyndyer Historic Homestead but unfortunately there was no one there so we had a quick look ourselves and left. It looked as though it had been a good tourist location but it seems to be a little run down now. We entered Swan Hill and Graeme wanted to go to KFC to buy some chicken so he could use it for bait to try and catch some big Murray crayfish. Found KFC, bought some and continued on down the road. There were many beautiful wattles out in flower along the way. We headed for Torrumbarry Weir which was our overnight destination. We checked out the weir across the Murray which was an amazing structure. They even made a special area which they called a ‘ladder’ where the fish are able to go upstream through. We then ventured down the dirt road towards our camp spot. It was a bit touch and go as it had been raining and there were a few puddles along the road. As you have read about our not-so-good track record of going down dirt roads I was a little unsure, however Graeme was confident it would be alright. We found a really nice place near the river after collecting some firewood along the way. We settled down for the evening. Graeme made his usually good fire and we watched and listened to all the bird life settling down for the night too. They made a pretty big noise about it – especially the sulphur crested cookatoos. Boy! Do they make a commotion. We swear that one that landed in the tree above us said “Hello”. Graeme didn’t have much luck in catching any crayfish with the KFC. All he caught were these itsy bitsy little shrimp type things and they were promptly thrown back. We had a delicious dinner cooked in the fire and marshmallows to finish off the evening.
FIFTYTHIRD DAY – MONDAY 30TH AUGUST
Colin made us his yummy porridge and we also had an egg on toast with tomato – a big breakfast. Graeme went and picked some mandarins and oranges for us to take home. Eunice also gave us a few of their home grown pumpkins as well. So we are well and truly stocked up! We said our goodbyes and hugged and off we went at about 10.15 am. We then went to woollies to get some supplies and then to the Angus Park shop to buy some dried fruit and yummies. Filled up our petrol and away we went over the bridge back into NSW as that’s the way to go down along the Murray. We travelled along the Sturt Highway until Robinvale which is back into Victoria and then travelled along the Murray River to Nyah State Forest where we are camped for the night along the river. It is just before Swan Hill. Along the way there were many orchards of olives, pears, apples, peaches and of course lots of grapevines. We are now camped right next to a bend in the river were the water swirls around the corner and makes interesting patterns in the water. Every now and then the water makes a big woooshing sound, and it really sounds like there is a big something swimming in the water. There are many birds here and we watched a Great Egret standing in the water catching small fish with his beak – he was very good at it. There were also blue wrens hopping about and Kookaburras laughing in the gumtrees and galahs and a few other birds I couldn’t quite identify. Later in the evening just before it got really dark we noticed very small bats flying overhead catching bugs, they were fun to watch. We had collected some wood and Graeme made a beaut fire in which we cooked our veggies. We also had lamb rump steaks. We sat in front of the fire and spoke about the last few days we have had in Mildura and visiting the relatives which was very enjoyable.
Colin made us his yummy porridge and we also had an egg on toast with tomato – a big breakfast. Graeme went and picked some mandarins and oranges for us to take home. Eunice also gave us a few of their home grown pumpkins as well. So we are well and truly stocked up! We said our goodbyes and hugged and off we went at about 10.15 am. We then went to woollies to get some supplies and then to the Angus Park shop to buy some dried fruit and yummies. Filled up our petrol and away we went over the bridge back into NSW as that’s the way to go down along the Murray. We travelled along the Sturt Highway until Robinvale which is back into Victoria and then travelled along the Murray River to Nyah State Forest where we are camped for the night along the river. It is just before Swan Hill. Along the way there were many orchards of olives, pears, apples, peaches and of course lots of grapevines. We are now camped right next to a bend in the river were the water swirls around the corner and makes interesting patterns in the water. Every now and then the water makes a big woooshing sound, and it really sounds like there is a big something swimming in the water. There are many birds here and we watched a Great Egret standing in the water catching small fish with his beak – he was very good at it. There were also blue wrens hopping about and Kookaburras laughing in the gumtrees and galahs and a few other birds I couldn’t quite identify. Later in the evening just before it got really dark we noticed very small bats flying overhead catching bugs, they were fun to watch. We had collected some wood and Graeme made a beaut fire in which we cooked our veggies. We also had lamb rump steaks. We sat in front of the fire and spoke about the last few days we have had in Mildura and visiting the relatives which was very enjoyable.
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