Hi to all.  We got up bright and early last Friday morning and were both quite excited about the fact that we were now going away for an extended period.  As long as all goes according to plan we will be back some time in August.  In that time we will be spending about a month in South Australia and up to 2 months in New South Wales. 

We left about 10am and headed towards the service station to pump up the tyres on the car and the van.  The setting up of the van went without a hitch this time.  Maybe I am getting used to it.  As we were pulling out of the drive I remembered that I had left some very important items inside the house so it was back inside to grab a supply of beer and some wine.  Almost got away without a hitch.  Around to the servo and then Deb asked if I had remembered to pack a couple of 25L containers for grey water.  Of course I hadn't so it was back home to pick them up.  I don't think Deb trusted me so she went into the garage and grabbed them.  We were now on our way. 

Traffic was pretty good going through the city.  We went through the tunnel and over the Bolte Bridge before heading to the Hume Hwy.  We stopped at Kilmore for an infusion of coffee before it was back to the grind for the rest of the trip to Echuca. 

After booking in to the Echuca Holiday Village it was time to sit back and rest for the day.  The park is huge and there must be over 100 powered sites which I think are all drive thru sites.  Just after we arrived our new next door neighbour arrived.  It was amazing to see this huge Winnebago stop just in front of us and unhitch the Suzuki from off the back.  It is one of the dreammaster Winnebago's and must have been worth $500,000.  Just incredible.  Of course all is automatic and it has 2 slide outs.  Not sure how he would feel about slumming it with Cranbourne peasants.  Actually it turns out he was only from Geelong and quite a nice bloke. 

Was relaxing Saturday morning before exploring when my house sitter rang.  Obviously my heart skipped a beat straight away but all was fine.  Well, sort of.  Remember I said I left without a hitch.  Well it appears that I left the front door open and also forgot to lock the front security door.  At least I didn't forget the beer.  Of course if you analyse it in detail, Deb walked passed the door carrying the 25L drums that we had to go back for, so technically I was not the last person out.  Yeah I know, don't go there.  Just accept my punishment. 

Spent Saturday morning doing the tourist thing and walking around Echuca and the wharf precinct before heading out to check out 'The Great Aussie Beer Shed' just out of Echuca.  This tourist attraction was created by a mate of mine from way back in a past life.  He was an Inspector at Dandenong and a great bloke.  The Shed is a virtual history of obviously beer cans.  There are over 17,000 cans in the shed and it really should be visited if you are in the area.  He also has lots of other memorabilia in the shed.  A fantastic collection, and licenced. 

Went out to the Shamrock Hotel on the Saturday night for my favourite Parma.  This place has 100 different Parma's on the menu, including some that were dessert Parma's.  (not sure how they would go).  In spite of such a huge menu, both Deb and myself thought we had tasted better at the Cranbourne RSL. 

Got up bright and early Sunday morning and onto my new folding bike for the ride into town to get the Sunday Herald Sun.  It was only 9am and I couldn't believe the number of people around.  All of the cafes in the main street were packed.  I cant imagine how these towns would survive without tourists.  Rode my big tough folding bike among some of the lycra crowd on their $2,000 machines.  I know they felt intimidated.  Made it safely back to camp and shortly after headed off to the market at Moama, just over the border into NSW.  Tons of people at the market but not much to excite us.  Just bought some vegetables and some rum balls for Deb.  Yeah sure for Deb.  After leaving the market stopped at a café/bakery in the main street where we had the worst coffee ever made.  Was just warm milk really so then went back to the van.  No we didn't go back for a nanna nap. 

Sat around living the dream and reading until Deb decided that it was time to go for a short stroll.  We went out the back gate of the park and to the banks of the Murray.  We were just going for a short stroll, or so I thought.  As we disappeared into the forest, Deb just happened to mention that there was a 1 hour loop/walk around the river.  This had been her cunning plan all along but of course I could not let her go all alone.  The walk was stimulating!!  Trees, gravel road, the river, no birds, no wildlife.  After walking for an hour, our intrepid tour leader Deb was having serious doubts about the quoted 1 hour walk.  We saw a sign and it appeared we had walked 3 kms and still had 2.5kms left.  How awesome is that.  The Leyland Brothers had nothing on us.  Nearing the end of our walk there was this tiny little sign hidden amongst the trees which was to direct us to our final destination.  Thank god I saw it or we might still be out there lost in the jungle.  We eventually made it back to civilisation and collapsed into our caravan, there to remain for the rest of the day. 

living the dream

We will be leaving here on Tuesday morning and at the moment we are not sure where we will be staying Tuesday night.

Bye for now