Lovely
clear skies again, 15 degrees morning. Birds all happy and singing. Packed up.
Fred wanted to check out Steve’s bush cooker so he can do something like it.
They are having problems with their battery – went flat just at the end of the
final of X Factor, luckily as Dianne has been watching it the whole time. We
gave him some of the fuel Greg gave us the other day so the good deed was
passed on. They have had lots of different people stay at their place for the
V8s. The Davidson family when Will and Alex first started racing V8s, and this
time the manager etc of Craig Lowdnes, James Moffat and Will Davison. Lovely
couple who have offered for us to stop there anytime. Fred had been trying to
catch a Yellow Belly and this morning his bell tingled, we could see something
nibbling but he felt it and nothing was there. Later he decided to check the
bait and pulled up a little Murray Cod.
Said
bye to Richard as we headed out – nice chap on hard times but I think he will
get it together. Found out last night that there were another 3 fulltime
campers along this bank edge – some not so nice according to Richard. Richard
was happy too as he had just caught a good sized Murray Cod.
Through
Echuca – lovely church.
This
area is so flat – no hills at all. Past a Cactus Farm on Praire Road north of
Rochester – that would be interesting to visit. Missed a Ned Kelly letter box.
Stopped
in Rochester to enquire at the Info Centre – but it was closed. Had a cuppa at
the “Oppy Statue” – very interesting.
Lovely town full of quaint old houses with lovely rose gardens.
In
Elmore, more fields with harvested hail ready to be bailed.
They
bail their hay here in traditional rectangular boxes. This place had sheds and
sheds of stored hay.
Huntly
has a Eucalyptus Distillery, another thing to check out. Couldn’t find out any
info about “Whipstick” where Rick said was good gold prospecting so decided to
drive into the Greater Bendigo National Park where we saw the sign. Went on and
on – flat with little shrubby trees.
Decided
that was enough of that “Scenic Route” and turned round and went into Bendigo.
Put address in for the Gold Miners Den and ‘girlie’ sent us up a dirt road (the
address was a Lot number) but it was a dead end – walking trail!! But there was
a road on the map. Nice tight turn around again for Steve but he is getting
good at it!! Found the shop, beside a small water park and cabins, and the Bush
Pig Pub, complete with cactus – bit interesting!!!
Chatted
with the chap about where to go etc and took a photo of Steve with his dream,
“The Hand of Faith”. The poor chap who found it has now passed away and I
noticed he had sold it to the Gold Nugget Casino in Las Vegas.
Went
to the Dept of Environment and purchased a Victorian 2 year prospecting licence
then headed for the shops to top up the groceries. Followed another road in the
National Park – also known as “The Whipstick National Park” – make up their
minds!! Nice campground with a few other campers. A lot of people just daytrip
into the park and it appears from all the roads going off everywhere (even on
the edge of Bendigo) you can prospect anywhere as long as it isn’t private
property!!
Met
two chaps – one from Ulladulla in NSW (didn’t get his name) who had just bought
a detector and had met up with the other chap, Claude (from Bendigo) through a
detectors’ facebook page. Will have to find it. Claude was here helping the new
chap learn the “art” and had found 4 small pieces. Claude and his wife Trish
will soon be on the road full time too so gave him a card and will keep in
touch. The other van staying here are a couple, Bruce and Gail, who have been
full time on the road for the past 6 years. He says ‘we haven’t lived in a
house for 6 years’ as some people say they have been caravanning for years –
but only do trips for a few months!!
Nice
open campground with two toilets, picnic tables and campfire spots. Set up camp
and then Steve headed off with the detector.
I
prepared a quiche and while it was cooking chatted with Bruce and Gail about
their travels. She has her own herbs growing so might look into that. Retired
school teachers/principal, originally from Casino, NSW.
Steve
back at 7.30pm – sun still up – but no gold yet. A few ant bites – nasty big
buggers here. Started the campfire which is in a communal area between our
camps so everyone came to join in. Bruce & Gail plus Mick (prospector from
near Albury) and Steve (out of work panel beater who was fulltime drummer for a
few bands years back – was asked to fill-in for a band at recent music
festival, loved it but it is a hard life to make money from, he says). Lots of stories and places to visit. Did a
bit of star gazing as Bruce is into astronomy and was pointing out Scorpio etc.
Cool
out but comfortable in the van with the windows nearly closed.
No comments:
Post a Comment