Mon, 14th Dec, 2015 Murray River Res, Nyah State Forest to Walsh’s Bend, Murray River Res, near Robinvale, Vic (Murrumbidgee River)

Cooled off in the early morning that I had to pull up the blankets, but it quickly warmed up as we packed up. Forecast was for 37 today.

Steve drove along the dirt track very slowly trying to keep the truck and van clean after he washed it yesterday!!! A big kangaroo jumped out then the mummy followed by the joey – how cute. The track brought us out at Wood Wood which is on a sweeping bend of the river.

A notice about fish being tagged but the tracking device seems to have gone walkabout.

A nice picnic area between the road and the river. A few old information plaques which need a bit of attention.

That bird I heard at night going ‘boo book’ is the Mopoke or the Southern Boobook Owl – I even described the sound correctly.

Good murals on the toilets – the walls of the toilets are made from pebbles in concrete which certainly stops the graffiti artists.

This is the site of freshwater mussel middens.

Left the river edge and back onto the bitumen again. Lots of orchards and vineyards around here. Passed Gillicks River Reserve which had a Major Mitchell sign so he must have named it or something. This is a plantation of Cricket Bat Willows.

Passed the Major Mitchell Lagoons.

Turned off to cross over the Murray into NSW and the little township of Tooleybuc. Another historical bridge built in 1925 (one article says it was built in 1907). In 1974 the paddle steamer, Pevensey, collided with the bridge after passing through the open bridge, heading upstream. The steamer attempted to move to the south bank after clearing the bridge but was caught in the strong current and swept sideways into the easy side of the bridge. The bridge sustained no noticeable damage, but the boat suffered noticeable damage on the upper decks.

Parked beside the park which was being watered so the breeze was a bit cooler. Certainly going to be a hot one today but we haven’t needed to put the air conditioner on yet. Had a cuppa in the park then checked out the Bridgekeeper’s Cottage and the old Punt gate (1850-1924).

Back over the bridge into Victoria – the workers have just arrived to work or is that stand around!! Through flat open fields again.

The road is running through a massive orchard near Haysdale – not sure what they are growing but it goes all the way to the next town. This area up to Robinvale is known for its olives, almonds, avocados, sultanas, honey and fresh produce.

Turned off 5 kilometres before the village of Boundary Bend we are back in the dirt again to find where the Murrumbidgee River meets the Murray River. Lots of flat circular cactus around.

Back beside the Murray – a lot wider here.

Travelled upstream about 5 kilometres to the meeting point of the two mighty rivers. Someone left two carp to rot right where we parked.

Looking across the Murray to where the Murrumbidgee is flowing in. Seems cleaner than the Murray.

Looking upstream on the Murray then downstream.

The booklet said there was a ‘magnificent specimen of a canoe or scar tree’. Here it is but the tree is so small that I don’t think it made a canoe a hundred years ago.

Continued along the dirt track downstream towards Passage Camp. It seems there are red soil sand dunes around here.

Lots of little tumbleweeds or dead bushes around here.

Passage Camp was where Major Mitchell camped on 16^th July, 1836. An information board was protected by a little roof.

A map showing where Mitchell was when he wrote these notes in his diary.

He probably crossed down there where it was easy for the cattle to climb out of the water on the other side.

Looking back as the river flows downstream around the bend.

Steve found some better timber – always looking for good wood. Got a bonus as he found a hammer too.

Up and over a red sand dune and then along an orange orchard.

Back onto the bitumen into Boundary Bend. Parked near the boat ramp and walked along the bank for a photo of the bend (downstream to upstream).

 Zoomed in further upstream.

Another bollard looking over the Murray – It is Archie Conner who used to live here. He was a legend in his day and died in1980 aged 94. An entrepreneurial individual, Archie survived grief and setbacks to become arguably one of the best know professional fisherman in this district.

Don’t think this windmill will work as it is surrounded by trees now.

In the park which used to be the school is a painted ute. Created as a Boundary Bend Youth Art Sculpture project in 2008.

Picked up some delicious juicy apricots from a roadside stall for $2. Very hot wind today. Will definitely get their 37 degree forecast.

Passed an almond orchard – so green against the red soil. The land has changed with some rolling dunes.

Crossed over a road which had a sign – 143 degrees Meridian East which is the line on the map.

Continued along the Murray Valley Highway with orchards on one side and scrub on the other. The farmers must be making good money as there have been a lot of new houses and the starting of flash landscaping outside the orchards. They grow olives (also for oil), almond, pistachio trees, various grape varieties for eating and wine making, carrots, broccoli, asparagus, apples, avocadoes, pumpkins, citrus fruit and more.

Turned into Pump Road to find the camp area by the river - big pipes and an old pump.

The bridge over the pipes was closed so we had to go back down the road to Tol Tol Road. Turned on to the bush track to Walsh’s Bend in the Murray River Reserve. Down to the river, passed one camper then found a nice shady spot across from a NSW distance marker – 1146 to go. Left the high cliffs – down on the edge of the river here. Haven’t had any problems with overcrowding so far – we have been totally by ourselves most of the time.

Downstream to upstream.

After lunch I was slaving in the kitchen getting dinner ready in the Ecopot and where was Steve – having a snooze by the river!! We at least we have used the lounge again so we can keep it!!

I worked on my blog then we went for walk. Some kids made themselves a bush shelter.

Maybe this is a freshwater mussel midden.

Walked around to the end of the bend – looking back to the van.

Then downstream.

A better looking canoe/scar tree.

A Whistling Kite perched in the tree. He flew off before I could get a better picture.

Laughed at this sign near our camp. Haven’t seen any or koalas either.

The sky has clouded over again – seems to do that with high temperatures. It is hot but not unbearable and with the cloud cover at least the sun isn’t belting down on us. Only a couple of flies here which is nice. Rang Erica for a chat.

Enjoyed our dinner outside. Steve sorted out his timber collection while I enjoyed a nice cold shower.

All windows and vents open tonight 9.30 it is 36 degrees. 21 tonight with 37 again tomorrow.