Tues, 5th Jan, 2016 Cherrypool Highway Park to Horseshoe Bend, Merbein, Vic

Blue sky 24 degrees with a few puffy clouds. Lots of fairy wrens and corellas tweeting and squawking around us. Back on the road north again. Very rough road for a highway, probably due to all the grain trucks. The fields look pretty with the markings from harvesting.

I am liking my new ‘Kate’ as she has the Camps 8 and other points of interest so I can type in Park and she shows all the parks we can stop at etc.

Across the Wimmera River and into Horsham.

Stopped for a cuppa at Sawyer Park just down from the bridge.

Checked out the information hut about the environment of the river systems. Steve got some tips on catching a Murray Cod.

The park is also the war memorial area – another pine from the one cone brought back from Gallipoli.

Info and a replica brickworks kiln.

Continued along the Henty Highway. Steve spotted a sign on his side halfway between Horsham and Warracknabeal that said ‘Home of the Flying Doctors’ Coopers Crossing’ – we figure it was were the series was filmed. Made a note to check it out next time.

Through Warracknabeal – I saw on the map to the west is Nhill. There was a guy on my New Zealand trip called Nigel (I think) and he was a farmer from Nhill. He had come on the trip to find a wife!! They didn’t have ‘Farmer finds a wife’ like they do now. I wonder if he ever got married.

As we headed into a little town Steve commented on the workmen all standing around then we saw heaps of cars on the side of the road. Slowed down thinking there was a crash then we noticed the huge silos to our right had been painted with 4 people. Pulled over and got out with everyone else for a look. A policelady pulled up so I asked her about them. She said that a Swedish (she thought) man had just completed it and it was in the paper today – hence all the sightseers. Now that was good time, though I would have liked to have seen him working on them. They are amazing. She said they were of local people – 3 men and a lady. They should have had a sign ready to go as he was doing it so people knew to stop and look etc.

That’s Steve at the bottom.

How he painted them from this cherry picker is amazing.

Turned off the highway down the main street of Brim – a few people were getting icecreams and stopping at the pub so it might bring some business to the area. We drove the kilometre down to check out the lake. There is a Lions Van Park here too for $10/night. Made some lunch and sat by the water which is actually part of Yarriamblack Creek.

Zoomed in on the weir.

There is a great playground too and some information about the 2011 floods – the whole area was covered in water.

Back onto the highway we crossed over Yarriamblack Creek – bone dry. Then we crossed it a couple more times – still dry.

There is also a lake at Beulah which is part of the creek but we didn’t go in to it. Another one at Hopetoun. Turned east then north along the Sunraysia Highway. Through Speed which had a sign ‘Speed Kills’ so we didn’t stop!!

Back onto the Calder Highway which we came down on. Better highway – 110k/h along here – not that we get to that.  Has been a warm day but the breeze is cool so nice travelling with the windows down. Such a difference from when we drove down in that extreme heat and high winds.

North past Ouyen and the huge Mallee stump and into Red Cliffs. Stopped at the park for a cuppa and topped up the water tanks. Into Mildura to fill up the fuel and get our food. Coles doesn’t have room for vans so I ran in while Steve did a blocky and parked across the road. I came out and was keeping a few bays clear for him to pull in when this guy pulled in – I said I was trying to keep some room for the van but he didn’t take the hint so Steve drove in and we just parked in the lane and chucked our groceries on the bed and headed down the road. Got everything in the fridge etc and continued along the highway to Merbein. Its claim to fame is it is the Top of the State Town. Passed Lake Hawthorn, just south of the Murray River.

Down by the Murray River again on the Merbein Common and Red Gum Track. Found a nice spot opposite a distance marker – 868km to go. A few skiers zooming up and down.

Rang Mum and Dad to let them know we were back on the Murray. Val is still going well and they have been winning on the pokies too.

Found some interesting info in a brochure about Mildura –

The Mildura region grows the following percentages of Australia’s fresh produce:

98% of Australia’s dried vine fruit,

75% table grapes,

66% almonds,

48% pistachios,

24% citrus,

20%wine grape crush,

13% carrots,

10% melons, and

9% asparagus.

Had spaghetti for tea – only the 2^nd time I think I have cooked it so far!! Finished off the last of the icecream!! He is begging for more.

Sat outside and watched TV through the window as the van had warmed up with the afternoon sun on it. A few mosquitoes buzzed us about 10.30 so headed inside.