31
degrees, sunny with a light breeze at 9am. Mildura forecast for 39 today.
Texted
Steve Allard for his birthday today. Rang Brownhill Creek Caravan Park, Mitcham
to book for the four days of the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide - $30per night
unpowered. There are National Parks nearby but you can only camp in the caravan
parks not the national parks!! Rang Leanne & Rick to let them know in case
they decide to come down. She rang back and decision made, they are coming.
Will be great to be with them again.
Headed
off back onto the Old Mail Road. Stopped at the gate which divided the two
properties, Kulnine and Ned’s Corner.
Steve
noticed a grave under the trees so I went for a look. Sad story of mother and
two children drowning.
There
were some wet spots from the rain they had a couple of days ago, but there were
a few choices of tracks to follow along the Old Mail Road. Just after I took
the photo a herd of emus ran across the road in the distance.
This
guy was late.
Stopped
at the turn off with an emu on one side and a couple of roos on the other.
Another
island created by an anabranch off the Murray River – Potterwallkagee Creek.
The
other side was about the Living Murray program.
Headed
in to check out the Wangumma Weir and Lock 8 (not sure why it is called that) and
camp for the night.
An
emu ran along beside us and then a few roos jumped with him – got them on
video.
Across
the causeway over Potterwallkagee Creek onto the ‘island’. Not flowing at the
moment.
Found
the Wangumma weir and lock 8 further upstream passed lots of River Access
spots. The house etc and the Lock are on the NSW side. No info to explain the name or the levels of
the weir pool etc this side.
Zoomed
in on the flow meter on the other side.
The
Fish Way goes up through a gate on the right of the last gate.
Walked
around to the other side of the compound to upstream of the weir. The mesh
covering the Fish Way.
The
weir and lock from upstream.
Lots
of willows line the river.
Drove
back to the first camp area (River
Access 7) – you can see where the National Parks have just taken over – there
are bollards everywhere containing where you can camp. View back to the lock
and weir. No good for a swim here.
No.
4 was ok for a swim but no shade.
No.
3 was a windy road in and would be no good if it rained. Then we ended up with
a low tree so Steve had to back up the van and turn around – he is getting good
at that.
Ended
up back at the first one which was Barge Bar – the chap from Lock 9 had said it
was a nice spot and he was right. Except the last people left their rubbish
hanging in the tree!!
I made
some lunch which we shared with a few flies but I am getting good with my
flyswat!! Washed my hair in the very warm ‘cold’ water in the van – no need for
heating these days.
Hooked
up the modem to the aerial and did my blog upload. Went looking for Steve and
he had been ‘beachcombing’ again. Found a prawn pot!! He had also found a metal
fishing rod holder. Waste not want not is our motto!!
3pm
getting very muggy as storm clouds started to build. They had forecast rain but
said it would evaporate before it hits the ground. The wind picked up –
hopefully no branches fall on the van.
Mr
Goanna wandered under the truck then got a fright and went up the tree.
Steve
put out his fishing rods – using his new holder. Check out what he caught – he
can upgrade the other prawn pot now. Complete with soap bait and a few live
prawns.
The
pelicans are moving in waiting for a feed. They are listening for the little
bells on the line to tinkle.
5pm
and a few drops of rain fell, 38 degrees in the van. Next catch was a
long-necked turtle – got his leg caught in the line!!
Stunned
for a bit then off he went.
Then
his little bells rang and this time it was a fish but only a little carp.
One
pelican was happy then all his mates arrived then a cormorant moved in too.
Mr
Goanna climbed high up the tree beside us.
Steve’s
bell rang then his rod jumped out of his new holder and into the river. I
managed to get to it before it went too far. A bit bigger carp. Only one
pelican has remained so he got a free dinner. Upstream a wallaby was enjoying
the green shoots by the water with a few ducks.
I
can be a beachcomber too - I found a big sinker – obviously slack fisherman who
left everything behind.
I
went in the van to prepare the vegies for tea when Steve called out not to come
outside. The second goanna was checking out everything around the van – liked
my herb garden.
The
first guy climbed down – got him on video. They have such a long tongue.
Just
above the van I spotted an owl - probably a Boobook Owl, trying to get some
shut eye.
He
wasn’t too impressed with the goanna up the tree.
Now
the two goannas were on a tree each – lower left and up high on the right. We
don’t think they like each other as there were a few growls.
The
one on the left departed but the other guy stayed up the tree while we cooked
sausages and vegies in the bush cooker. The garlic must have got him as he came
down to investigate. Videoed him wandering around us. Steve threw him a couple
of pieces of sausage which he sensed with his long tongue and enjoyed.
Nothing
got in his way – even our step, just straight through it.
He
wasn’t satisfied so came over to lick the plate!! Tossed the tongs out too.
Mr
Goanna started getting too friendly so Steve made a noise and he scurried back
up his tree.
We
went for a walk to watch the sunset a bit further around the bend. Casting
lovely colours on the trees.
You
had to watch where you stood as there were thousands of ants, bit and small and
they all bite!! Nice shot of the bend in the river.
We
found a ‘used to be’ red post marker – like the ones we found blazed in trees.
Lovely
sunset.
As
we headed back we saw Mr Goanna was in the dish again but then we realised he
had torn the alfoil apart – he must have wanted the butter in the alfoil!! Now
we have hundreds of bits to pick up!!
Last
of the sunset colour.
Rang
Jon to find out how he went with the plumber fixing the burst pipe under the
house. All good though the rest of the pipes should be looked at so we told him
to organise it with his mate. He has a cold but has been to the chemist so is
dealing with it – good lad.
Decided
to watch a video inside tonight – not too keen on Mr Goanna joining us in the
dark!!
11pm
and it is still 33 degrees. Lovely and quite but very still now. Mr Boobook Owl
must have flown off as I can hear him calling in the distance.
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