Almost home……..

 After leaving Renmark we made our way to Mildura, where after a visit to the chemist to top up the scripts, we made our way to find a campsite for the night.  We were joining Anne and Paul beside the Murray River at Kings Billabong Park.  They have been there for 3 weeks as they cannot cross the border into SA as they are in Victoria during this lockdown period.  Pretty crazy as though they are both double vaccinated and haven’t been near any hotspots for weeks they still can’t get an exemption.  

We spent the afternoon catching up and enjoyed the mild night around the campfire.  As it cooled down we employed our friend, Bobs, idea of a bum warmer.  Hot coals in an enamel bowl and place it under your chair makes for a half hour of cosy warmth.  Change the coals when cool and stay warm as toast.  Great fun.  The spot beside the river was lovely and I guess if they had to be trapped anywhere it wasn’t a bad spot.

The next morning we said goodbye after breakfast.  It was lovely watching the river come to life and we enjoyed the pelicans, swans with cygnets and a family of butcherbirds all checking us out as we did them. A mid morning departure saw us stop for lunch at Ouyen and coffee at Wycheproof in the afternoon.  

The Boomerang Memorial caught my interest and we found that it was to commemorate Bernard ‘Bunny’ Read who won the World Boomerang Throwing Championship 4 times.  From here we continued on stopping just on dark at Dingee Railway Station where there is a 72 hour camp stop.  We only needed 12 so we stayed.  A tiny town with just a general store and a pub.

The next morning was a very chilly 3 deg outside and not much warmer inside until we put the heater on.  We left here at 9am and had a coffee break at Elmore continuing on through Tatura and Murchison and soon after were backing the van in the driveway.

It has been a very emotional and up and down trip with illness, surgery and Covid lockdowns and restrictions along the way.  We had some great times as well as the medical surprises but right now it’s good to be home.  

During the afternoon we unpacked the van, Judi and Peter dropped in for half an hour but with restrictions in place it was talk at 20 paces in the backyard.  Eggs on toast for tea and long hot showers before bed made for a perfect evening.

Until next time…….