TARCUTTA to MILBRULONG

April 4

Day home, Mike off on bike to check out the farm, Daniel at work.

April 5

Mike fed out hay, checked the sheep and when Daniel arrived home from work we received our final instructions. Daniel and Peta were packed and headed off about 3 am, at least Gabbi stayed asleep.

Hay Day

View towards back of farm

Back corner

Can this thing take 3?

April 6

Mike fed out hay and discovered a lamb or two. Back out in the afternoon , more lambs, twins and one or two singles.

April 8

Off not Wagga, made Drs appointments for Lois and Mike and got some parts to fix the brakes on the van.

April 10

A beautiful day so a bike ride beckoned. After checking the map for non major roads we headed off towards Gundegai, spotted a likely road but we didn't get far before we hit the Hume Hwy. After a little back tracking we took the road to Adelong and onto Tumut. We had already been through here but the trees were turning and the autumn colouring was amazing.

Tumut

 We eventually found a road from Tumut to Gundegai and approached Gundegai from the south using one of the old bridges to cross the Murrumbidgee . Had a close up view of the original wooden road bridge.

Hard left turn on bridge

You can see why we turned!!

April 11

Happy Birthday Chris

Well this morning Mike had me on the quad bike and off to the back of the farm. I know the farm is hilly but oh boy some places were quite nerve wracking but I followed and oh the views were unbelievable.

Lois being brave (took some coaching) Homestead in background.

We have another variety of sheep here, they are Australian Whites. Very high productive lambers. They are a haired sheep so naturally shed their wool.  Lovely to see the lambs bouncing around.

F2 ewe lambs

Pure 'Australian White' Ram

There is an old gold mine on the farm, dug into a hill so climbed down to check it out and all the time expecting a wombat to appear but no luck.

Abandoned Gold Mine

Rock hound Lois

April 12

Mike had blood tests today and then we walked the Wagga town before going to the Caravan and Camping show. A small event but we had a good look around, saw a few vans we liked and headed for home.

April 16

We both had Drs appointments today. Mike received a good report and I have to have blood test done!!!!
Did our shopping and Mike saw the podiatrist (another job ticked off the list)

April 18

Went early into Wagga, had my blood tests and then we headed off to Albury. Had a great time wandering around the town, found a hobby shop so bought his birthday present. We looked for a visitor centre and ended up crossing into Victoria and found a lovely centre on Gateway Island.(not quite in Wodonga) there was a lovely village close to the info centre so went investigating and discovered a Woodcraft shop. So many lovely things and so cheap.

Pioneer Village

Hume Freeway

Back across the river into NSW and headed for home via the Hume Hwy. A lovely trip surrounded by the hills, amazing the contrast between the Olympic hwy via The Rock (flat) and e Hume hwy, hilly.

April 20

Local market in Tarcutta, very small. We visited the National Truck Drivers Memorial, a tribute to all the truckers who have lost their lives, very moving and so many of them in their 20's and 30's,just so young.

April 21

PETA and Daniel home today from their holiday in Ceduna. Great to see them and they were so appreciative of us looking after the farm for them.
Tomorrow we are back to Milbrulong and hopefully the mountains while the weather is still good.

April 22

With fingers crossed that Mile has fixed the brakes we headed over to Milbrulong (100 k).
When we were nearly there we put the brakes to the test and they worked!!!!!!
Once again we were met with open arms, it is just like coming back to our home away from home.

MILBRULONG to MANILDRA

March 22

Rod, Jane and Alexandra headed off to Albury to the races. They all looked very spiffy in their racing garb.

March 23

Went into Lockhart for groceries and then I cooked tea for all as Rod and Jane home late afternoon.

March 24

The men are attacking the water tank stand today so lots of procrastinating as a very heavy and major job. Jane and I will supervise from a distance and we hope All goes well.
They jacked the tank up one side at a time and removed old beams and inserted new beams, all went to plan although there were a few anxious moments.

4m up, hard to get to with heavy bearers.

1st bearer being hammered in.

Releasing nailed boards from bearers

March 25

Another day, another attack on the tank stand. Today the men managed to replace all 8 cross beams that the actual tank sits on. Mike found some drums that he placed on the forks of the tractor and this raised the boards to a more manageable height and Rod was able to slide them in easier. Job complete and the tank stand is looking good. Not quite finished but the final job will wait until we return at a later date.

2nd bearer being placed in with armstrong

Needed drums to lift crossbeams into place

All the heavy timber in place, just the boards to go.

March 26

Off to Manildra today. Helen is having a 70 birthday over Easter so we are going a few days early to help Barry with the tents.
We had a great trip, passed through towns we had already visited and it was great to see the country side finally turning green.
Arrived at Helen and Barry's to a wonderful welcome. So good to catch up with friends we haven't seen for two years.

 

MANILDRA to TARCUTTA

March 27

Had a quiet day today as Mike exhausted after working on the tank stand and then a day driving.

March 28

Went into Orange shopping and Mike and Barry each towed a Portaloo back to Manildra. Quite a spectacle seeing two bright green and yellow Portaloos on a trailer. These are for the party. Well the people at the party at least.

March 29

Good Friday.
Barry and Mike erected all the tents for the party. Quite a job but they are up and look good.

Instructions are great if it gets too hard.

Fussy female supervisor

Ready to go

March 30

The first of the party goers arrived. Sheila and Philip from Sydney and Fay and Tony from Melbourne. Fay and Tony came in a van and parked near us. We had a BBQ tea together and tried out the " White House". It was a great idea meeting a few the night before the party.

March 31

Easter Sunday
Party day so we all helped set up and decorate the tents under the watchful eye of Helen and Barry.
People arrived from 12 noon and we had a fantastic lunch.

Gathered for the speeches

Birthday Girl "Helen"

Women and kids took over the dismantling, with supervision.

  At the end of the day the men decided to take down the big tarp as rain was threatening. Good decision as Mike and Barry looked on while others pitched in to fold the tarp. They say many hands make light work.

April 1

Happy 70 Helen.
Helen took her family to the train so Fay and I decided to organise tea using all the leftovers and I made Helen a birthday cake sparklers and all. It was a great tea and we all laughed and laughed.



Leftover Banquet

Make a wish

April 2

Happy birthday Jemma
Barry off to work so Mike and Tony with Helen as guide, towed the Portaloos back to Orange and then Helen took us on a scenic drive around Orange and up to Mount Canabolas,around the lake before heading back into town where we had lunch.

Lake Canobolas

Begonias at town park

Back home and Helen insisted she cook tea as Fay and Tony, Mike and I were all leaving next day.

April 3

Off to Tarcutta today but we had a slow start. Said goodbye to Tony and Fay, then Mike tried the electric breaks on the van as not sure they have been working, well they don't now. The wiring shorted out with a cloud of smoke so now will have to be fixed. Left Helen's about 11 and headed south. Had a great trip and admired the rolling country side now turning green. Stopped in Cowra for lunch and arrived at our next farm sit in Tarcutta about 4.30.pm. Met up with Daniel, Peta and Gabi.

BARHAM to MILBRULONG

March 15

Found a lovely caravan park just out of Barham with the Murray River close by, with lots of grass and trees.

March 16

Not a big town but had quite an unusual clock tower.

March 17

Market day in Koondrook (over the river in VIC ). Not a very big market but enjoyed the walk round the river and boy was the temp cold!!!!

March 18

Decided to travel to Swan Hill on the bike. A bit cold to start with, but off we went. Went out to Murrabit (not much to see there) and on to Lake Charm where there is Abigail Caravan Park and several holiday places.
There are several large lakes in the area known as Kerang Lakes, all well grassed with lovely picnic areas and some have caravan parks.
Next stop Swan Hill, walked around town, went to the information centre, saw the large Murray River Cod, crossed the old bridge and passed the historic village of Swan Hill (didn't go in ). Travelled back to Barham via Kerang. Had a walk around Kerang, found a lovely patchwork shop and then home again.

I caught this one on an off day.

 

Swan Hill Bridge (really rough)

March 19

Had hair cut and did some sewing.

March 20

Pack up today.

March 21

We are heading back to Milbrulong to see Jane and Rod and to collect our mail.
Lovely cool day for travelling, we stopped in Deni to see Centrelink as Mike needed to reinstate his pension card before the end of April.
Next stop Jerilderie where we had lunch beside the lake. All along the road there are acres and acres of rice crops all in head and ready for harvest. It is quite an interesting trip through the irrigation area, the channels vary in size from very wide ( width of the highway) to narrow channels. These feed thousands of acres of farmland with water.

Rice in full seed, ready to harvest.

Arrived at the farm and made to feel so welcome, it felt like coming home.

STAWELL to BARHAM

March 7

Checked out Stawell town, didn't take long. We have a great spot at the caravan park, camped beside the lake where there are lots of birds.

March 8

Today off to Halls Gap, small town in the Grampians. Very popular holiday spot. There are lots of Holiday cottages, camp sites and resorts.

Town of Halls Gap

 We stopped at the dam just out of town, Lake Bellfield and then travelled through the Grampians down to Dunkeld.

Lake Bellfield

Grampians

Two years ago the Grampians had a major flood and near the southern tip was a huge land slide, went across the road, taking all the trees in its path including the road.

Looking up from road

Looking down from road.

From Dunkeld we headed north east to Ararat and arrived in time to do a tour through the J-Ward Goal. It was a goal for 5years and then became an asylum for the criminally insane.

Grampians from the North

"J Ward"

March 10

Off to Halls Gap market day at the school, had a wander round, saw some lovely hand made jewellery and bought some dried lavender.
From Halls Gap decided to travel up the northern part of the Grampians and headed off to Dadswells Bridge.On the way stopped off at a lookout, The Balconies, fantastic views and the road was very wriggly, great on the bike. Passed by a huge Reservoir, Wartook Reservoir.

View from the Balconies (Wartook Reservoir in back)

South from the Balconies.

McKenzie Falls

Lake Wartook

The next stop was at McKenzie Falls, so many people and a fantastic view. More zig and zag through the hills until we reached Dadswells Bridge and there to greet us was a giant Koala, had lunch and headed back to Stawell.

Roses Gap Road

Dadswell Bridge grow BIG Koala's

March 12

Shopping and pack up day.Went off to an Alpaca farm not far from the caravan park. Had a great chat to the owners and sweltered in the heat. Victoria is now into a heat wave record.

Home of the STAWELL GIFT

Stawell Caravan Park

March 13

Time to move, Mike spoke to a farmer looking for farm sitters and as we were passing close by we called in to meet them.
Quite a drive through irrigation, channels everywhere and some magnificent maize crops.
Barbara was working so we stayed on and spent the night on the farm. Alastair and Barbara Bear are a lovely couple and we will return at the end of June.

Bear Homestead at Boort.

March 14

Made our way slowly to Barham, over the border and now back in NSW.