Gidday all,

While at Cockatoo lake I tried my luck with the yabby net again, everyone was catching heaps but we came up empty each time. Finally got lucky, and big ones too.

  Moved on after a week on the lake, a bit reluctant to go, but the coast was calling.

Next stop, Mount Gambier, toured about town then did a circle around Blue Lake, amazing colours the photos don’t do it justice.

Then off out of town looking for a camp. Came to Little Blue Lake a way south. Another crater but much smaller. When we set up camp a car load of young fellas pulled up and started to do backflips into the water. Great afternoon entertainment. Then a couple of old kombi vans pulled up to camp. They were in top condition and looked great. They were heading to the Nullabor on a road trip, way to go.

We reached the coast at Port MacDonnell, a small fishing village at the bottom of the state near the Victorian border, with a fairly big rock lobster fishing fleet. Then northwest along the Limestone Coast, as they call it. Came to Carpenter Rocks, another fishing village at the start of a 4wd track through the Canunda National Park.

We hummed and harred for a while then, with Din’s urging, let the tyres down and headed up the soft sandy track. After all, why have a 4x4 if you don’t use it.

The track follows the beach just behind the large sand dunes on the coast, sometimes ducking off to the beach then back over the sand dunes and through the low coastal scrub and along great banks of limestone from which the coast gets its name.

Good old Ned performed well through the soft sand and dunes of the track, though had two attempts at one particularly steep dune, thought for a moment we may have to turn back, then found a less steep track around. These are the tracks we love.

Took two days to do the 40ks and came out just below Millicent, found a camp site at Geltwood Beach and stopped for the night then reinflated the tyres and hung out the washing, which received a good wash cycle on the track. 

Back onto the bitumen for the next leg to Millicent and then Beachport and Robe.

Gidday all,

Not a great deal happening here lately. We did receive a package in the mail from our friend in Hervey Bay, who made a necklace for Dins beloved dog whistle. She did a magnificent job, as always, Din loves it. A very talented jewellery maker.

Also had to go to Adelaide to get a wheel alignment done on the truck. Looked all around S.A. on the net to find a place closer, but only could find one in Adelaide. So off we went. Wanted to make sure all was good after replacing the tie rod ends back in NSW.

Booked her in and went in the arvo before to check out the area. There was a truck stop just down the road from the business, so we pulled in there for the night. Little old Ned hung out with the big boys for the night.

All wheels in line again and we took off through town and northeast. Passed a business making kids cubby houses and stuff, some great ideas for the grandkids.

We are now sitting at Cockatoo lake, on our way south to the Coorong on the south coast. The temps are better, in the low 20s. Will explore the south coast for a while, waiting for the cooler weather to come in up north.

  

Gidday all,

Our trip down to Boardertown to Debs friend and on to near Murray Bridge to her brother was a good one. Thac the dog enjoyed traveling in the truck again and the weather was cooler down south.

On the way home we crossed the river on the ferry at another point upstream then followed the Murray again for some miles.

. After a bit, took a short cut across some dirt tracks, which always makes the journey more interesting. Came to a road we had to take, Farr Road, it, like us, was a bit rough around the edges and in need of some maintenance, but was good value.

Finally rolled into Taplin and Debs place. After a night there we took off to Loxton, a bit west of there. Did some shopping and looked around the town. After lunch the river was calling, so we went in search of a camp site. Found one a little out of town, camping on the Murray again. Will sit here till after the weekend, then meet up with Deb again in town.

Gidday all,

Little bit long time we have had no phone service. But we have for a little bit now.

After Echuca we decided to head straight to our friend Deb a little east of Loxton in S.A. So off we went, crossed the border at Pinnaroo, then north to Taplin and Deb.

Spent a few days there, the temps were up in the 40s.again, Deb had to go south to her brothers so we all loaded into the truck and took off.

Camped overnight at a place called Cockatoo lake, a camp area next to the lake, a nice spot. One firepit there was full of freshwater yabby shells, they were huge. Through in a pot but came up empty, noticed a huge hole in the pot the next day. No wonder we didn’t catch anything.

Then off to Mannum and Debs brother. Beautiful little town on the Murray. Crossing the river by ferry, the old paddle boats moored along the banks. Spent a couple of days there then back up north to Taplin.

On the way back stopped again on the Murray and camped the night. Hope the temp is cooler back at Taplin.

Gidday all,

 

Left our friend at Seymour to rest up for a few days, then continue his trip northward. We headed northwest into the Whroo state forest, found a campground and pulled up. They found gold around that area in the 1800s and the remains of a mine was not far from the campground, complete with tunnels and shafts, all caged off of course.

 

 

 

 

 

Onward north on small back roads through pretty Eucalyptus forests, then across dairy farm fields we found our way to Echuca at the N.S.W. boarder on the mighty Murray River. After a look around town, we headed west along the Murray and found a secluded spot by the river to camp.

The water looks muddy as usual, and a bit low, but a pleasant spot. River houseboats cruise up and down and powerboats pulling skiers zip past now and again, not too annoying, entertaining really.

 

        Will sit here for a bit and work out our westward track.

Gidday all,

 

  A week or so of socializing with friends. First in Wonthaggi, where we parted ways with the duck. He was a bit reluctant to leave us and I think we will miss him, had become part of our family really.

I think he was enjoying the attention he was getting, telling stories of his travels. Hope he can settle back into city life.

Good to catch up with friends, but time to move on. Our other friend from Tassie floated over to Melbourne while we were in the area so contact was made and about 80ks north of Melbourne we met up.

Spent a night at a rest area on the Hume hwy. Very busy road, never stops. Then moved to a nice spot on the river at Seymour, so peaceful in comparison. Again, nice to catch up.

Well, now to decide on a route to take over to S.A. border, up in the corner of Victoria. May go across to the MURRAY SUNSET NATIONAL PARK, where we came down through last time. Will go through the top part this time. Sounds like a plan so far.

A bit busy for pics lately, so a tribute to the duck

                  see you next time we are in town old mate.

Gidday all,

Along the south coast of Victoria we went along the Princess Hyway, ducking off to the beaches where we could.

Skirted along the coastline to Marlo where the Snowy River meets the sea. Followed the river back towards the hyway and camped on its banks.

 

 

Called into Lakes Entrance and had a look. Very pretty town with the fishing boats moored along one side of the main street.

 

 

 

 

Next stop Wilsons Promontory, stunning views on the road in and a massive campground at Tidal River. Drove around the campground deciding whether to pay for a couple of days stay when we came across a shower block with hot showers. Pulled up,  got out the shower gear, and had a well deserved shower. Got back into the truck and decided it was too crowded there and anyway we had had our shower, so we moved on.

 

 

 

 

 

Out to Cape Liptrap, where there is a little campground and no one about. Had it all to ourselves. Set up camp and stayed for two days, enjoyed the small beach and the solitude.

Only 60 or so ks to Wonthaggi, where we meet up with out friends and deposit the duck back home where we kidnapped him from some sixteen months before. What a tale he will have to tell.

 

 

 

Gidday all,

Went beach hopping all down the coast from Bermagui to Eden. Down dusty National parks and forestry tracks out to the coast.

Out to Camel Rock, near Bermagui, brought back fond memories of our camel trek for the duck, then into town for fish and chips on the pier.

As we were leaving a boat came in and they hoisted up their catch, a large marlin by the looks.

Through Mimosa Rocks National Park and on to Merimbula, where we pulled up at the point and watched as some were fishing on the rocks. Was an overcast and rather cool day, which was a nice change. With a stroke of luck, one of them caught a good size fish.

Continuing south we went into Ben Boyd National Park and explored the coastline. Coming back to the Hwy over winding corrugated roads. Had just turned onto the bitumen and got up to about 50 kph and a loud clattering and shaking came from under the truck. Slowly pulling to the side and stopping on the narrow edge I got out to inspect, thinking a tyre had blown. I was greeted with the tie rod, which holds the front wheels together for steering purposes, had dropped off on one side due to the ball joint falling apart.

After a while wondering what to do I decided to bash it back together and tie it up with wire to get the show back on the road as we couldn’t  stay there. While under the truck I noticed, of course, the inside dual wheel at the back was flat. About one k up the road going slow with hazard lights on we came to a side road with a large clear area so pulled up for the day and changed the tyre.

Eden was just three ks down the road. With a bit of searching on the internet I found an auto parts shop which dealt in truck parts, so next day after a bit more shoring up of the ball joint we limped into town and camped up over the road from the parts shop. It took three days for the parts to arrive and only a couple of hours to fit them. Lucky it’s a relatively easy job to do. It could have been much worse.

With a complete check of the undercarriage of the truck we were off again.

Went out to Davidson whaling station, south of Eden, the last of the whaling stations that operated on the mainland.

 Crossing the Victoria border and out to Mallacoota. On the wharf there Din recognised a shelter where she had left her fishing rod some thirty years before, and would you know it, it was gone. Can’t leave anything lying about now days.

 

So we have turned the corner now and are heading west along the Vic coast. So much cooler, almost cold.