Mon, 23rd November, 2015 Jingellic Reserve, Jingellic, NSW to Howlong Lions Park, Vic side of Murray, Howlong, NSW

Very cold this morning – only 14 degrees at 7.30am though all the windows are still open.

Erica texted so I rang her back to tell her about Val. She will ring her shortly.

Beautiful clear blue sky today, warm in the sun but the breeze has a nip to it. Had a cuppa by the river, feeding some Barra bits to the crayfish but they didn’t come out today. Said bye to Kerry and Elaine and we headed off back across the Murray River into Victoria and onto the Murray River Road.

Erica had said they had stayed on the NSW side and ended up on a small windy dirt road. This side is much better. Travelling along the edge of the river still.

View from Mt Alfred Gap.

Further on we spotted an echidna marching up the dirt hillside. Into Mt Lawson State Park. Passed ‘Dunpubin’ with a beer barrel letterbox – I wonder if he used to be a publican!!

Stopped at Kennedy’s Reserve which is a bush camp beside the Murray River. Walked down onto a rocky outcrop and something stank – found a fish with fillets cut off dumped on the ground – a bit ripe.

A turtle popped his head out.

Continued along beside the river though there are more flood plains now.

Through Thologolong which is just a property but is the birthplace of the Murray Grey cattle breed. Only saw a few and tried to get a photo – cream coloured so not sure if they are the Greys.

A lot of sheep here too. The river area opening up now to the top reaches of Lake Hume. This is where the Murray River enters Lake Hume – at the other end of Lake Hume the Mitta Mitta River enters near Tallangatta.When it is full that would all be covered.

Travelling along on the edge of hills now as the valley fills with water. Reminds us of Tinaroo. Lots of pelicans around too.

Crossed Koetong Creek at Bungil.

Into a more open area as we head south towards Granya.

You can see where the water level reaches to.

Down to the furtherest point then we turned back north again instead of going to Granya, following the edge of the lake. Took a photo of GPS.

Turned off to check out the Wymah Ferry. Erica and Terry had to cross here to get back over into Victoria. We parked then wandered down for a look as the ferry brought one car over and one was waiting to go back into NSW. Steve reckons it wouldn’t have been long enough for us so we just took the photos.

Looking left then right of the ferry.

Continued on down through Talgarno along the lake’s edge.

Then on to Bellbridge, leaving the water for a while and going through grazing land. Back to the lake and we saw the big bridge over Lake Hume.

Into the waterside township of Bellbridge to have lunch in the picnic area.

Looking back over to the bridge that takes joins NSW to Vic.

This area has been cleared of trees. There is a boat club on the point and a jet ski is zooming around under the bridge.

A great sculpture of the Murray Cod in the park.

Across the bridge which has a height limit of 4.2 metres. Found out it is called Bethanga Bridge after the historical town down the road.

Looking south over Lake Hume.

Onto the Riverina Highway into NSW and looking back to Bellbridge township.

Up the hill looking back over the lake as we pass Lake Hume Village.

Over the top and looking across the Murray to Albury in the distance.

Into Albury – we have been on this bit of road before on our way up to Bathurst in October. Past the lovely old railway station. Will pop back in tomorrow as the Info Centre is next to it.

Through West Albury and back beside the Murray River again for a bit.

You can see why the Murray is 2520km long in comparison to driving by car where it is only 1400km or so to travel from source to mouth – very wiggly.

Through flat open grazing land for Angus and Herefords (saw the signs). Will have to ask someone what is growing here as there are acres and acres of this short crop.

Into Howlong with an elevation of 150m. Turned off to cross the Murray River into Victoria over the Leahy Bridge into the Howlong Lions Park. We stopped here last year on our way south and the picnic area is very nice.

The camping area though is a little bit upstream and it just a dirt road along the river bank with room for a few vans etc. We parked closer to the picnic area (but still in the camp area) near the river access so we can have a water view.

Quiet afternoon reading the Murray River trail info Erica gave me. A jetski came zooming by. We went for a walk and there was a family there teaching their kids to ski behind the jetski.

Jon rang about mail then we had a chat about what’s been happening – all good – poor Bandit is moulting, getting his summer coat.

Rang Pete to see if Wally has moved into Carrington and he has but he said they are all old people in there – one chap was 93 – Wally is 88, what a laugh. Hopefully he will settle in ok. Poor Marion though fell playing tennis and has broken her arm – 3 days before she was to fly to London with her dancing tour group. Not nice – hope it heals quickly for her.

Rang Tracy and got Jacinta first. Lovely to chat with her and hear about her riding. Chatted with Tracy for a while. Grant doing well.

Cooled off so we closed up the windows before going to bed.