September
Sunrise on Murray River
Mural on flood levee
Flood waters now receding

Sunday the 1st of September
It was a wonderful sunrise as the sun broke through the trees on the opposite bank on the murray this morning, it gave wonderful reflections on the river as can be seen there were few clouds. We had breakfast once again on the river bank with crumpets and banana's washed down with a cuppa.
Today we pack up the camp so it will be leisurely with many breaks of course. Carol and Robert rang to wish me happy fathers day and even Liz gave a card and two scratchies which were loser's. We drove into Tocumwal and bought the sunday paper and then up to the post office to ring my dear old dad to wish him a happy fathers day.
Back to camp and fueled up the firepot for we are going to cook a roast of beef and veggies in the camp oven. While it was cooking we had a few of the nearby happy campers come over for a chat and mainly because they could smell the roast cooking.
When it was cooked we elected to eat inside for we were afraid the meal may attract fly's, what a beautiful meal the meat had a tinge of pink and the baked potatoes, onion and pumpkin along with steamed carrots, cauliflower and broccoli were really great and made even better still with the nice gravy Liz had constructed from base juices.
Of the course the worst part is the cleaning up of the utensils though this did not take long at all.
Then in with the awning and packed away the table and finally the firepot into poor old Digger and then other bits and pieces. It was mid afternoon before we had fitted the towing frame to Digger and squared the camp away to give us a good start in the morning.
The rest of the afternoon was spent reading in the sun and in a singlet though the shorts will not come out again. Happy hour arrived and a few happy campers came over and we had a few for fathers day and generally chewed the fat. While this was all happening Liz was listening to the Collingwood V North Melbourne though the result will have no bearing on the final series that commence next week.
It was such a large meal at lunch time we have settled for a few sandwiches for our evening meal and then relax watching a bit of television before going off to bed.

Highway to Echuca
Nathalia
Road works before Boort

Monday the 2nd of September
Another wonderful morning on the Murray River with a beautiful sunrise and there were plenty of reflections once again, Its a pity we have to leave the Murray. The river is dropping very fast this morning the level was down by at least 2 metres. Though it is time to move on towards home in a roundabout fashion. We were to say farewell to Macca and Michelle plus Chris whose company we have enjoyed over the last week.
Our first stop was at Yarroweyah for diesel at $1.58.9 per litre then back on the road and our stop at Strathmerton for a shower and then the dump point and then headed towards Echuca. The day was great no clouds, no wind and plenty of sun. We were travelling through dairy countryside with plenty of Friesian cows in the paddocks and some of the largest milking dairy's we have ever seen. Once we passed the turn off to Shepparton the traffic reduced and there were only a few wheat trailers now and again. We now turned onto the Lodden Highway and headed for Echuca for our next turn off. The dairy cattle started to diminish and cropping appeared. There were countless paddocks of wheat and canola again making for picturesque travelling. When we arrived at Echuca we did not go into the town centre though we pulled up at the IGA and bought bread etc.

Lodden Highway
RSL Boort
Very large Olive Grove

I was relying on the GPS to take us to our destination for the day at Lake Wooroonook. I was great for we were not on the main highways in the area which made for easy travel and the scenery was really great with the perfect blue sky as a back drop. We were to travel through many small towns that were servicing the cropping and dairy industry.
The next large town was Nathalia and there was plenty of action including having a caravan park on the nearby lake. The trees in the main street were in bloom and really looked great. I stopped long enough to take off my T-shirt for it was getting quite warm and it was only 11am.
We now turned on the highway to Boort and the countryside was all wheat and canola and was a real treat. We noticed the lack of birdlife along the way, every now and again we came across very large water canals whose flow was controlled by solar panels power to open and close the shutters. We finally arrived a Boort and the most impressive feature is the RSL along with memorial cannons. Then we were to see a very very large Olive grove which went along the highway for many kilometres and back into the hills. There was also a large Olive oil extraction mill which consisted of many large buildings. We then noticed the many grape vines and then a winery for wine production. Again there many kilometres of water channels again powered by solar panels and on many occasions the channels went under the highway.
We were finally arrived at Lake Wooroonook and we were the only happy campers here and the lake had plenty of water and birdlife. What a wonderful area toilets and hot showers plus power and all they ask is that you keep the area clean and make a donation which will before we depart.
I was a late lunch again after we set up and we then enjoyed the heat of the day and the magnificent views across the lake. After lunch Liz was to cut my hair and then we relaxed by the lake reading our books. I set up the television on 240 volt power and was somewhat surprised when 59 television channels were tuned in. On checking some channel were repeated three times so really we had only the normal 22 channels.
What a wonderful day on the road and feel the change of weather coming upon us telling us that spring has arrived.
Kilometres travelled 298 co-indinates S 36 16 06...........................E 143 21 03

Mosaic of wheat and canola
Main street of Donald
What type of fish does this represent
Main street of Minyip Now in Wimmera country Welcome to Dimboola

Tuesday the 3rd of September
We awoke early and for a change we turned on the television for the morning show though that didn't last long for we are getting a bit weary of the negative comments on the forthcoming elections. So we just turned it off and then went outside in the early morning sunshine and took in the beauty of the lake and the birdlife. There was slight fog hanging across the crops and the lake though it dissipated very quickly.
We had our shower and then breakfast and then read our books for awhile for we didn't want to arrive in Dimboola to early.
Back on the road around 9.45 am bound for Dimboola and as usual we were to see massive amounts of wheat and canola growing in the very huge paddocks. The going was easy for there was not a lot of traffic just the occasional grain trucks and it helped with the wind on our tail. Before we knew it we had arrived at Donald a large town servicing the agricultural industry, we stopped to buy the paper and noted that many buildings were built in 1896 and even today they are well maintained. We also noted the old steam engines and railway trucks and carriages from a bygone era, they were well maintained with paint etc. We turned down a back street and came out on a park near the river which had all the picnic facilities and also a large fish which we could not identify and there seemed to be no signs to indicate what it was and the colouring and shape did not encourage you to think it was a Murray Cod.
Back on the road and we came across signs that indicated we were in the Wimmera Country and again there were massive paddocks of wheat and canola and many many hectares of Broad Beans. The broad bean paddocks slew us for awhile until we came across some with the tell tale white flower. We drove through Minyip another small town again servicing the agriculture industry. Though it was small it was well laid out with trees lining both sides of the town centre.
We turned again and found our way onto the highway which left us with only 25 kilometres to go to arrive in Dimboola. All farming country of course and before we knew it we had arrived in Dimboola and Eddie's place. He was expecting us today and he was sitting out in his new shed taking in the sun when we arrived.
We set up in his yard and the next hour or so was catching up with all the news since we last met and then it was a late lunch again. Eddie was to show us the extent of the fire that burnt done his sheds and the replacement under insurance. Instead of three large sheds he now has a very large shed with roller doors at each end and the shed had been raised to allow for his camper van etc to be housed in it. He is still awaiting the power people to sign off on the solar panels before they come back on line.
He was to show us around his property which is 10 acres and you do not know how large this is until you start to walk around and have the fence lines pointed out to you.
We all then decided to go for a walk down to the Wimmera river and around the block which took us near an hour fifteen and when we arrived back I was feeling a bit tired. On the way around near the river there were mosquitoes buzzing around in the pools of stagnant water and I had to brush few off for I was only wearing a singlet plus trackkies they were not attacking the other two. The temperature at the moment is 25 degrees celsius so we may have a warm night. We were to hear several trains pass by so that will be a new noise for us to cope with tonight, though the way we sleep it should not be a problem.
We had happy hour and had our meal inside Eddie's house and then watched a bit of television and had an extended happy hour all the time having a good yap.
Kilometres travelled 125

Flowers in the drain
Ornamental Garden
Which part of the world are you going

Wednesday the 4th of September
This morning was overcast and would be most of the day. Had our breakfast and then went into the house and spent most of the morning playing with computers looking at different programmes on Eddie's computer. You do not realise how time fly's when you are sitting on a computer on the internet, it was around noon before we finished.
We went for a walk to the town centre of Dimboola and along the way we noticed the amount of flowers that were in nature strips and along one street they lined the gutters and even though they looked nice they are actually a weed. We stopped to admire one of the houses ornamental garden which looked a real treat and there was plenty of work that had gone into its establishment.
There were plenty of old buildings including houses and we stopped at the real estate agents and noted the older style of houses were really cheap and those in outlying areas were even cheaper still.
We arrived at the IGA and Eddie purchased a roast of pork for our meal tonight with all the roast veggies etc. I bought a couple of king island meat pies for lunch later on. We then walked down the main street and there are a lot of shops closed and it detracts from the beauty of the town. There is a large sign post on the highway pointing out the distances to many cities in Australia and overseas. There are plenty of small trees that are in blossom and in some of the side streets the council have planted more trees to add beauty to the area
.
We walked home via the post office and walked down a few blocks and looked at the houses and gardens which were mainly full of weeds. On the way back we were walking into the breeze that was from the north and it was very warm with the temperature for the day rising to 23 degrees celsius.
We arrived back home and heated up the pies and really enjoyed them for they were full of chunky beef washed down with a cuppa. We were back on the internet and spent most of the afternoon on the computers.
Happy hour arrived and it went for a bit longer again than normal and we were watching the pork and veggies cook and it was nearly 7pm before we had our meal. I would be true to say that we have not done a lot today with the exception of Liz who was to use the washing machine.

We will watch television tonight before going off to bed.

Main Street Horsham
Wimmera River Horsham
Mount Zero

Thursday the 5th of September
There were slight showers this morning around 6am and as we wanted to be on the road early this morning we had our showers and breakfast and then said our farewells to Eddie and thanked him for his hospitality over the past few days and then hooked up Digger and we were on our way.
We elected to drive down through the town centre of Dimboola before picking up the highway to Melbourne. We were to go back to Eddie's for I had left the four memory sticks containing all the movies that we have looked at this trip or should I say a fair amount of them.
As we drove back through the town centre people must have wondered if we were lost for we were to receive a few strange looks. Finally out onto the highway heading towards Horsham to refuel before pushing on to our camp spot for the night.
There was light rain falling, though just enough to be a nuisance, we were to pass through many road works and we noted a lot of the highway was rough. Then again when you have so many trucks and the weight of their loads it is no wonder. The land was flat and with plenty of crops once again. The amount of wheat that is planted beggars the question just how much of Australia is planted to wheat and canola for we have seen these crops in only two states so we figure that there must be millions of tonnes produced each year mainly for export.
We finally arrived in Horsham a large country town of Victoria and we went through the town centre and noted the many shops and the very old buildings. Being an overcast day did not detract from the beauty of the town. We refueled at $1.55.9 cents a litre, this will be the last until we arrive in Melbourne where it will no doubt be much cheaper. Back on the road and we crossed the Wimmera River and then headed out onto the highway.

Grampian Ranges
Aarat Town Hall
Green Hill Lake

The highway was undulating with plenty of over taking lanes so there was very little holdup to traffic. Still not nice weather though it could not hide the beauty of the land. On one side of the highway it was flat country with plenty of crops and the other side flat country until it reached Mount Zero and further down the road we came across the Grampians and plenty of vineyards and the seppelts winery.
We arrived at Stawell and decided not to go into the town centre so we just drove through and then the highway became a little hilly though the motorhome just cruised over them in sixth gear no problem at all. No wonder we call it Speedybago.
Traffic was increasing especially road trains carrying wheat from the the many silo' and depots along the way. We finally arrived at Aarat and went through the town centre and we wanted to pull up and have a look about. This was not to be for they had only diagonal parking and had nothing that suited us, We even went back a block and there were no spaces that would hold our length. So we decided to move on, we noted the excellent Town Hall and Council building which with its white features looked very good and it appeared to be very old.
Back on the highway and in no time at all we turned off the highway and into Green Hill Lake rest area. We noted that a couple of happy campers had been here for a while given the way they were set up and the amount of wood for their fires. This area you can park near the lake and the toilets and showers are reasonably good. We noticed that the lake was down around four metres to what it was when we were here last. In no time at all we were set up and had our lunch and settled in for the rest of the afternoon to read our books etc. The rain was to fall fairly steady so it didn't really give us a chance to go walkabout.
We were to watch the birdlife whilst we had our evening meal and then on with the television for the Marngrook Football Show is on later in the night. Then tomorrow we will push on to Melbourne and our daughters place for a few days.
Kilometres travelled 145 Co-Indinates
S 37 17 46 ......................E 142 58 48

Bell Tower
Timber attraction on Highway
Coming towards Melbourne

Friday the 6th of September
There was not much action on the lake this morning though there were four Swans moving close to shore. The day was overcast and would stay that way all day, we had an early breakfast and we were on way towards Melbourne.
There was not a lot of traffic and we were climbing hills on the Western Highway which at this time was single lane either way. We were passing more farm land and small towns that the highway now bypassed. There were many passing lanes so this helped those in a hurry, the scenery was spoilt by the overcast weather and in the motorhome we had the heater going for the outside temperature at this stage was only 8 degrees. We were to come across hugh roadwork's that when finished would extend the Western Freeway towards Aarat.
Before we knew it we were on the four lane Western Freeway and the going was easier and the countryside was opening up with plenty of subdivisions either built or under construction. You could see where the subdivisions were creeping towards the very large market gardens so no doubt sooner than later they will build on that land.

Trains crossing Bell Street
Trams on High Street
Thornbury

We then turned onto the Calder Highway and turned off towards Coburg and the traffic was building up and at some sections was three lanes wide each way which made for easier travelling. Then we stopped at a roadhouse and bought the paper and we were going to have a cappuccino though we objected to plastic cups and self service for $5 a cup. Back on the road and in no time at all we were in heavier traffic and those traffic lights we seemed to catch all the red lights. Then into Bell Street and then we were competing also with passenger trains crossing. The GPS was giving traffic updates, which I couldn't believe was happening, and it stated we were in light traffic where I thought is was heavy and then it informed us of a traffic accident up ahead and detoured us around that. Thank you GPS you were making our way to Thornbury a lot easier. We then turned onto high street where we were now competing with trams for the road was narrow and they have right of way. Down through the shopping centre and it was busy with foot and car traffic and many strange names for business's.
We finally arrived at Rob and Jens place and set up on the road and then went inside to say hello. Liz and Rob plus Lucas were to play some board games and before we knew it lunch time had arrived.
After lunch we travelled to Aldi's and spent a few hours drooling on the prices of goods especially the vegetables that we are not allowed to bring into Tasmania. They sell a lot of men's tools etc so I spent a fair while looking at these. We bought what we had to, like cheese which we use a lot of and a few cryovaced chicken pieces etc that we can keep in the fridge. Plus a few groceries. Returned home and went into the house and Oliver was home from school so along with Lucas we had a few games before going to the Peacock hotel for our evening meal and then home to watch the football Hawthorn V Sydney it should be a cracker of a game.
Kilometres travelled 208

Preston City Hall
Liz and Jen enjoying their Soup
One of many Preston Market Stalls

Saturday the 6th of September
A starry night and a cloudless sky this morning though by the end of the day we would get heavy cloud with the chance of rain. Today is national voting day for the Federal Parliament so went for a walk with Rob and Jenny and the boys whilst they did their voting.
When we arrived at the polling booth we were swamped with many how to vote cards the funniest was the Sex Party and boy there were plenty of different parties. The line was at least one hundred metres long though it appeared that they were moving through pretty fast.
Liz and I sat out in the sunshine with the boys enjoying the sunlight. On the way back home we dropped into a garage sale and the boys really liked it for there were mainly kids toys on sale.
Before we knew it lunch time had a arrived and we hopped into the cars and went down to Preston and the chinese restaurant. It was full of asian people so that augured well for the quality of the meal. We opted for very large bowls of soup Liz and Jen selected chicken and Rob the beef and I selected chicken and duck along with chicken livers etc all very nice, the boys settled for spring rolls. Boy I happened to put to much chilli in the soup and by the end I was working up sweat.
We then went down to the Preston Markets. Boy there where people everywhere and the amount of different languages spoken was noticeable. The prices of vegetables and fruit was amazing and an example was cauliflowers for $1.25 and banana's for $1.49 cents a kilo my favourite Wombuck was 99 cents each. Then into the meat and fish departments and you could hardly move. I noted that one customer paid $74 for a whole Atlantic Salmon which weighed a tad over 4 kilo. I purchased a tray of T-bone steak which equaled six pieces for $15. If they are as tender as those I bought back in May we will be happy. Our problem is that we cannot take vegetables into Tasmania and the fridge freezer is full and there is only room for food in the fridge. We had a look around the toy, clothes and gift areas and then we returned home.
We were in time to watch the Geelong V Fremantle football game for the rest of the afternoon with a few stubbies and then for our evening meal we settled just for toasted sandwiches for our lunch was so filling.
Then after our meal we settled in to watch Collingwood V Port Adelaide. As Liz is such a passionate Magpies supporter I may have to sink a few more stubbies. Then off to bed and read our kindles for awhile.

Sunday the 8th of September
Well today there was a lot to do to make sure the motorhome and Digger are prepared for the boat to meet quarantine regulations. I used the surplus water to wash the mud from under Diggers mudguards and the road grime on the bodywork.
Then cleaned the underside of the motorhome of any dirt particles. We do not want to be held up with having to wash the vehicles at the quarantine station at Devonport when we come off the Ferry.
We had lunch and then Liz went off with Rob and Jenny and children up to the four nations park to feed the ducks etc and then they went and had a cappuccino. When I finished I read my kindle for awhile and then settled in to watch the Carlton V Richmond football game which Carlton won by 21 points. Needless to say I had a couple or so of cans of XXXX
We had our evening meal and then watched a movie and then went off to bed. No photo's today giving the camera a rest.

Jen,Oliver,Liz and Lucas
Beachfront at Port Melbourne
West Gate Bridge over the Yarra River

Monday the 9th of September
After a good nights sleep we awoke to the Motorhome rocking with a gusty Northerly wind. We went inside to have our breakfast and then we were to bid Rob, Jenny, Oliver and Lucas farewell
. The parents were off to work and the children one into school and the other into childcare. We had a final check of the motorhome and then we were on our way. It was around 9.45 am and we made our way out into the traffic and for a change it was not to bad though we were to strike those dreaded red traffic lights. All the way the traffic was not a problem and I do not believe we have ever had such a good run as this morning ever.
We wended our way down to the city and then City Road and then where we would usually refill the diesel tank that service station was now gone and the tanks excavated, it was there fully operational when we arrived in May. So we are travelling home for the first time with only a half a tank of diesel, though this is more than enough.

Sailing ship from Hobart
Navy ship at Williamstown
Our Ferry home Spirit of Tasmania II

We finally arrived where we park up each year awaiting to board our Ferry home to Tasmania. The northerly wind was still gale force though it was warm around 23 degrees. We sat and read our books for awhile and decided we would have fish and chips for lunch and just some fruit for our meal before getting onto the ferry this evening.
We stood on the promenade at Port Melbourne watching the traffic flow over the Western Gate Bridge and then the many container ships coming into port. We noted a old brigantine sailing ship tied beside the old Princess Pier and we walked along to have a look and found that it was out of Hobart with a Tassie crew aboard, they have sailed and motored here to attend the tall ships event at Williamstown. We noted a Navy ship at Williamstown and it looked like a small aircraft carrier
.
As we walked along the boardwalk we noted the amount of runners and bicycles along the way. We finally arrived at the D'lish Fish Cafe and we had flake and blue grenadier along with chips. You order the chips by weight and we ordered a half a kilo for $5.70. The fish and chips were really nice though we pigged out on the chips. We then walked along the boardwalk towards St Kilda and took in the scenery and then back to the shop on the waterfront and bought the paper and few other items and then back to the motorhome.
We were to see more very large container ships come into port and then the brigantine pulled out to go over to Williams Town.
At 4 pm we are just reading and waiting to go onto the Spirit of Tasmania and home for our major travels for this year are nearly over.

Sunset on the Port of Melbourne whilst embarking on "Spirit of Tasmania II" bound for Tasmania

Tuesday the 10th of September
It was slow going getting aboard the Spirit of Tasmania both for Digger and Speedybago last night. On this occasion
we were fortunate to have Digger parked separately right behind the motorhome which will make it easier for this mornings disembarkation or so we thought.
Last night in the lounge we had a couple of wines and beer before the bingo and trivia competition. We were to fail in the bingo and only one answer in the trivia cost us the winning ticket. The trip last night was very smooth all the way which was much better than our trip over earlier in the year.
This morning we had a bit of a mishap in that the manual fan was left on in Digger and this flattened the battery overnight. This meant that we could not start Digger even trying push start it. We just hooked Digger on the motorhome and when we arrived home Robert was there with his battery pack to help start.
We are expecting the family this afternoon including the great grandson.
Well the travels and journey has now ended with no problems other than the broken windowscreen in the motorhome and the flat battery in Digger this morning. In all we travelled in excess of seven thousand kilometres in the motorhome and an extra two and a half thousand kilometres in Digger. So that's it Folks for another year though we will still travel within the state of Tasmania. To all those that followed our journey a thank you from us both and we wish you well.


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