Tues, 25th Nov, 2014 Bass Valley Campground (Poowong sightseeing)

Rain has stopped and a little blue sky peeping through. 14 degrees so a bit cooler start. Did a bit of packing up. Chatted with Michael & Maureen in the other van about detecting and their travels. They are heading to Ballarat via Melbourne and she had concerns about driving through on the Freeway – I said it was a breeze. Maureen told me about a van at another camp that she hadn’t seen anyone moving around for a day. Michael had heard a funny drummy sound. The next day she went to have a look and the chap had gassed himself in the car. It was a diesel so he had his generator in the front with him to make the gas. The police were called who said he did leave a note – he was in extreme pain so decided to end it. So sad and sadder for her to have to find him. Steve gave them some fuel as we need to empty the fuel containers and fill them with water for the trip.

Showers of rain keep persisting. Spread all my clothes in the van as they were dry just felt cold. Looks like a chinese laundry!!!

Headed into Poowong to look at the Sculpture Park. Very good. The sculptures were carved from Cypress Trees which once grew on this land. The trees were planted in the 1930s by school children for an Arbor Day activity. The Early Settler and the Magpie were created in 2004 by Dean Smith.

The others by Kevin Blum in 2007.

It is mainly a dairy farm area and looking across the hills it reminds us of the Tablelands, complete with drizzly rain and cold wind!!!

In the main street is another timber statue of a packhorse as a tribute to the first settlers of  Poowong, James and Elizabeth Scott (1874).

Around it are plaques about the area.

Across the road is the Poowong Pub mentioned in one of the plaques.

Opposite that is the Poowong Post Office, est 1878.

Round the corner behind the Hall is an information board with a map of the area and a timeline of events that shaped Poowong. Some great old photos too.

Went for a drive around the countryside. Grey rainy sky one side.

Sunny with puffy clouds the other.

Looking over the Bass River Valley where we are staying.

Back into town to find somewhere to get rid of the oil from the truck service. The chap at the electricians said he could dispose of it for us.

General Store est 1879. Saw Michael & Maureen had stopped at the pub for lunch so they haven’t gotten far.

The Pioneer Chapel established in 1878 as a Methodist Church till 1977 then the Uniting Church till 1981. The Historical Society purchased it in 1981. It was the first public building in the South Gippsland hill country and was built from pit sawn Blue Gum timber felled opposite this site. Apparently all the timber came from one tree. It was also the first school.

The first burial was in the church grounds of a young 4 year old boy.

Some galahs were feeding their baby who was squawking for its food.

Back to the van for some lunch. Finished the last of the fruit. Only a couple of tomatoes and lettuce left. We can’t take any fruit and vegetables over to Tassie. I put the heaters on in the van to warm up the clothes. We have to use up the gas canisters that we had in the truck stove etc too. Steve washed the rest of the van and the awning so we are all clean now.

Haven’t met the couple yet in the other van – it sounds like they play a piano accordion and have dogs.

Had a cuppa outside as the sun is out for a bit (now I have all the clothes inside!!) Another van pulled up where Michael & Maureen were so once they got sorted we chatted. John is an Dutch born Australian, still with strong accent and his wife Denise was born in Gympie. They have been up to Darwin, down the west coast and are heading home again. Lots of funny stories. Another car pulled up with three girls so Michael went over to invite them and the other van for happy hour. The girls were from Holland too and the couple were English but been here for years. They have been on the road for years but used to have a house on the Vic/SA border. Said it is a great life. Had a great time chatting and freezing – the wind was so cold even with the sun shining. We were drinking port to warm us up!!

Back into the van with the heater on again to cook dinner.