Week 7

8^th – 14^th July

This week was what bush camping is all about 3 days on the bank of the Murray River just outside the township of Echuca. This was all that we thought it would be.  Relaxing in the sun while the houseboats motor past. 

Throwing crab pots and fishing lines in the mucky water, but still nothing at the end of the day. 

The river was a perfect flow for canoeing.  While there were no other campers around us, we could imagine the area being very popular in the holiday season.  We had some great warming fires and sunsets that were always a surprise. We will certainly be back to this area.

Thursday we travelled along the Cobb Highway to Hay.  This area is known as the long paddock.  It is where drovers move their cattle and sheep along the side of the Hwy to feed. It is a hard life for them camping on the roadside with their family, dogs, horses and a quad bike to control the stock.

Through Narrandera and onto Grong Grong for the night.  A must stop free camp mark it in your camps book.  Kerbside parking, electricity, BBQs and toilets all spotlessly clean.The pride in this town was just amazing. The town has a population of 392 residents and definitely RV friendly.

Friday was a travelling day, across to Termoa, Young, Cowra, Orange and then on to Lake Burrendong, for another 3 day stop.  A huge camping area with manicured lawns and lots of wildlife. Reading, fishing, canoeing and knitting. Great sunshine we must be getting close to that Qld border.

Back on the road again after 14 days of walks along the beach and streets of McCrae. Sitting for hours over lunch, family nights that included up to 12 people, with lots of chatter and laughs.  “Thanks to my sisters for making that happen”.

We had a great day at Point Nepean Portsea, that is now open to the public.  We walked through areas that in World War 2 had guns setup to protect Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne from enemy ships. We stopped at the Sorrento Pier on the way back to Mc Crae and were lucky enough to see 2 Humpback whales in the bay.

Pt Nepean

Pt Nepean

Pt Nepean

Pt Nepean

Pt Nepean National Park

But the highlight of the 2 weeks was Mum’s 90^th birthday.  Mum; her 5 Children and their spouses, 11 Grandchildren and their spouses/partners along with 10 Great grandchildren celebrated the occasion.  The venue was ideal for all, with lots of talk, children running around, laughter, tall tales being told and photos taken. The day was a great time to catch up on recent engagments, wedding photos, holidays, and careers.

Mum on her special day

WEEK 6

1^st -7^th July

We left Rosebud on Monday and while the sun was out, every day that we were there it was “COLD”!

This week would transport us back 32 years.  We had planned with friends to do 5 nights of bush camping at Firth Park in the Wombat State Forest and Mt Franklin which is in an extinct volcano and was a great protected spot. (Yes this is where the bottled water comes from).  This area was our old stomping ground, Ballarat, Daylesford, Castlemaine and Bendigo.

Camping with coats, beanies, thermals, open fires, camp oven cooking, hot casseroles and drinks that would warm you from the inside out.

Firth Park

 

Mt Franklin Campground

Mt Franklin top of the Rim

Mt Franklin

Rustic and charming bluestone/sandstone buildings, wide country roads and deciduous Elm trees. But camping in July, can only be described as right place, wrong time.

Saturday we moved on to Echuca “Wow” has this town grown.  The Port of Echuca is being renovated, but the paddle steamers are still moving up the great Murray River.

Paddle Steamer

Todays Cobb and Co

Wood at the Woodturners

Walking through this historic town we find the everyday things that make caravanning comfortable.  “A gas fire for bush camping”

We wanted to do some bush camping, fishing and canoeing in the area, so Sunday we went  looking for a spot in the sunshine on the bank of the Murray River.