10: Howlong 2014

Funny that! Slingshot couldn't find her kettle after arriving at Greens Lake. We both remember her checking around her van before leaving the last camp but apparently we had blinkers on.

A peaceful camp with pelicans, ducks and amphibious 4 wheel drives.

Rain fell and wind blew till around 1am, I wasn't happy the van was rocking and rolling a bit, I didn't have the stabilizers down, a bad lazy habit of mine. 

A couple of campers came around for a chat before nightfall and we are told the lakes level is down a bit.
This is John's set up, he offered assistance by giving us directions to Corowa, some good camp spots and left us with his calling card just in case we got into trouble or lost. John travels the country side in search of army jeeps and the like, his card says "Show us your Green Bits" and "Love my Jeep" he is x army as you might guess. I will contact him at some stage, I think he would be a fund of information regarding camping destinations and so forth.

 

 

The morning sees us heading toward Corawa with a few deviation in the journey due to not trusting the GPS.  This is one way to see a little bit of country, finding single lane roads that stretch passed farming lands and hoping nothing comes our way in the opposite direction.

Through Shepparton and on to Jarrawonga where we stopped at the information centre to find out what the historic interest signs were intended for, Burke and Wills or Stuart? would you believe I forgot to ask that question and bought a Boomerang instead. My Craig would have loved the aboriginal woman who worked their, demonstrate how to use the boomerang on wild running kids, so funny.
Finally deciding on Howlong for the night, a free camp beside a river just outside of town.  This is Slingshots last night with me.

 

 

9: Greens Lake 2014

We parted company this morning at macca's before traveling through Ballarat. Slingshot was going into Daylesford to visit her Daughter and spend a few hours with her grandchildren. 
The plan was to meet at 3.30 at Bendigo and continue on to the Echuca on the Murray River.

I, would take a drive around Ballarat before heading off to find someone to cut off part of the handle above the toe ball, to allow me to open the rear car door. Its difficult to lean and rummage around over the back seats to find and drag things out. Found a steal place right next door to a petrol garage I was about fill up at, at the opposite end of town. Charged me $10 for the 5 minute job and I left with a smile on my dial.... 

I drove through Daylesford, where Slingshot was visiting, a really pretty town, then toward Castlemain but just before reaching there I seen an interesting book shop and quickly pulled over. Every book half price and I found a couple of real Australian history gems. 

 

This odd looking piece of machinery towing a car, passed me while I had stopped to take photos of a windmill and water tank.

Reaching Bendigo, a lovely large town, much nicer than Ballarat. I passed the very large Bendigo Bank building and settled back to wait for Slingshot in the city park. A pretty spot with many variety of duck that Ruby would love to chase. 
Slingshot had had a problem by leaving her bag at her daughters place and not realizing until she had reached the book shop I had text her about and there, did a U turn back to Daylesford for the 30 minute drive to retrieve it.  Texting between us to keep in touch, I continued out of Bendigo about another 20ks to escape the noisy traffic.

Slingshot caught up with me about 4.30 and after a quick discussion, we decided to give Echuca a miss as time is short for Slingshot needs to be back in Sydney by Friday.
After her misfortune with her bag Slingshot wanting to get as many kilometers between her and Daylesford and head in an easterly direction to pick up the Murray River. It was turning into a long day for her and when she seen that we passed a sign to Greens Lake, another free camp I had spoken of from 'The Grey Nomad' website we turned around and drove in for the night. 

 

 

8: Smythsdale 2014

 

So we headed out for Princetown around 10am, the Princetown road was a picturesque, enjoyable drive and Colac was the next town to stop for a cuppa. 

Nuisance rain fell, its a shame it wasn't heavier for the country, being really dry after the long heat wave but I suppose they were grateful for what did fall.

We are now traveling through the Golden Plains Shire. Sometimes ending up on laneways only wide enough for one car.  Now this is the way to get off the beaten track, just take the wrong turn and the GPS will find a narrow road for you.

 

Arrived at Smythesdale, a donation camp site. For our nights camp and lovely hot shower we left $10 each in the supplied envelope that was left at the roadhouse on departing. Very light rain fell during the night and morning.