Mon, 27th Oct, 2014 Notleys Campground, Greater Bendigo NP

Just after going to bed last night the thunder and lightning started then the pitter patter of rain. Not enough to get the water catching device out again but as it did get heavier Steve put out a couple of buckets. The lightning and thunder were bright and loud and some were straight over us. Woke to a colder morning, though temp in the van was 21.7 degrees the wind chill was cold.

Curled up reading my book in longs and boots trying to absorb the sun that was peaking through. A magpie came and sang for me – lovely sound, here I was saying it was the Currawong that was the songster and it was the Magpie. He even sounds like he copies other birds as sometimes it sounded like a seagull or crow sound too. I videoed him.

Steve watched the news on TV and Melbourne was hit with the storms too early this morning and the trains and trams were all backed up and there was flooding – though they had only registered 21ml. Hope that all settles down before I head down on Thursday.

Can’t metal detect today so he did my hair instead!! – ready for Melbourne Cup. Another big dark cloud came but the wind is strong so it didn’t stay for long.

Nice day for staying in the van - Steve poured over maps trying to work out where the gold is hidden. I worked on where we will go when we land in Tassie at the end of November.

After lunch went for drive to Shadbolts Picnic area and Old Toms Mine and then along a few tracks to check out other places to detect. Chatted to one guy at the mine (the one I saw the other day swearing his head off at a tree!!) He had found a few bits. This is the original Whipstick Inn and the well beside it.

Into Huntly to top up with water as I had used up the truck’s supply to do the washing. Steve pumps it across into the van tanks so we don’t have to take the van out. Got a couple of things from Woolies and a card for Kim and Jay’s baby, Leah.

Back to camp for a cuppa and Steve headed off to try out the other spots while I got tea prepared etc. Sun out but the strong wind is very chilly – mightn’t be a fire tonight if the wind doesn’t settle down. 

Rang Wendy - getting excited about seeing her and the other girls again. Should be a great week in Melbourne.

The sky was clear and a little crescent moon was disappearing. 

Wind settled and everyone collected some wood for the fire. Gayle invited the newcomers, David & Maureen from Townsville with their little dog, Oscar, to join us. Another great night though we were a lot closer to the fire tonight as the breeze is biting. Mick showed us an App on his phone that shows the star constellations. He holds the phone where the stars are and it shows you what you are looking at. He held it where the moon had just disappeared behind the trees and it showed it just going over the horizon. Then he pointed it to the ground and it showed the constellations and spacestations on the other side of the world. I could get a smart phone just for that App.