Gidday all,

Made a new camel logo for the cab of Ned the truck, we think he looks smart.

After we got the new batteries we headed back to Taplin and Deb. When we arrived, the camels, Coco and Ziggy were home and greeted me with hugs, they obviously remembered us and the truck. It was good to see them again.

Stayed for a day or so, then headed out to the Sunset Murray National Park, just over the border into Victoria. Came to the Shearers quarters camp ground, where we camped the last time we went through a couple of years ago.

The place was deserted so we set up camp and settled in. After a day or so we went over to the quarters to have a look. The parks rent out the building for stays, they charge too much though. One of the doors was open, so we went in for a look. Very basic but comfortable with an old wood stove in the kitchen. Found the keys to the shower block, so, never to let an opportunity pass by, we took advantage of the situation and lit the gas hot water system and showered blissfully.

Only saw about three lots of campers come and stay for a night then move on in the week we stayed there. On about the third day a friendly ranger came in and had a chat. We told him the door latch was broken on the quarters and he thanked us for letting him know,and would get it fixed. Told him the shower was open too, he said it was ok but lock it back up when we left. What a good bloke.

Had a great, peaceful week there, with our own personal shower. The sunsets were wonderful too. Had to leave on Monday as the park was being closed for two weeks as shooters were coming in to cull roos and foxes.

Back to Deb and work out our next move.

Gidday all,

The weather is finally cooling down, usually down to 5⛄ overnight. A welcome change from the relentless heat we have had this summer.

After the Coorong we kept to the coast as much as possible, up through Adelaide, port Wakefield, through Snowtown, on to Port Pirie, then up toward Port Augusta with a few detours here and there.

Called into Mount Remarkable National Park for an overnight stop and shower as there was hot water there.

Over the last few months I had noticed that the battery bank for the camper was not keeping up to our power needs as it should. After a bit of research on the net found a company in Adelaide to buy a replacement battery bank from at a good price, so decided to head back and do it. Would rather replace them now rather than wait till we were out in the middle of nowhere and the batteries collapsed and left us with no power.

Back we went and got the new batteries, the dealer offered me $40 for the old ones just to get rid of them. I declined as I had noticed a cash for scrap metal place on the way in. So on the way back out we called in and sold the old batteries to them for $100, all good.

Now we are worry free on the power front. As I said the weather is cooling down, so much so that after Adelaide we decided to head back up to the Riverland up north.

Through Gawler and Nuriootpa, on to Blanchtown and Swan Reach, then Big Bend on the Murray. That’s where we woke to the hot air balloon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woke up this morning to a hot air balloon drifting over us. A very calm peaceful sight. (bloody grey haired nomads with morning hair )

Gidday all,

Onward up the south coast, ducking into the beaches as we do. Came to Kingston, where the big lobster lives. Had a play in the playground then moved on to the Coorong.

 

 

 

 

 

Another track behind the sand dunes and in and out to the beaches. Lots of pelicans as this is their breeding grounds.

 

Went all along the Coorong, then at the top end went out to Narrung, an aboriginal community where the old church that is on the fifty dollar note lives.

 

A very special place the Coorong. We were lucky to be going through the week before Easter, we dodged the crowds.

Will keep following the coast, good weather so far.

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.