Welcome! Yep, welcome to March, the third month of 2017 but wait, this is the February update I hear you say so before I go any further I will go back to the start of February, so hold on, here I go.

First, the weather, yep we got it at Greens Lake too, cool, warm, hot, dry, wet, you name it we got it as you did probably. We also got a little wind here and there but with no problems at all, actually it was the windiest month here and the last few days of the month we had NNE NNW winds that stirred up the water to make it look more like a light brown not green. I reckon the weather gods were just reminding us they were still around and not on strike. The weather that was hard to cope with was leading into the middle of the month with four days above 40c, two were 43c and 44c, yep, HOT. The rest of February was pretty much good weather all round and warm to hot.

Who said there are no fish in Greens lake? Yep, sure is, it was proven by Fisheries Victoria early in the month when a truck arrived and backed down the launching ramp and very gently placed 50,000, yes 50,000, Murray Cod fingerlings in the water. No not fish fingers, real live fish. It was very interesting too, a very informative FV employee showed me that he has to do it by the bucket load, firstly half filling the bucket with lake water then scooping by net the fish into the bucket, waiting 5 minutes to allow the fish to get used to the difference then slowly and carefully releasing them into the lake. He said more than likely only about 1/3^rd will actually live to tell the story, birds, bigger fish etc will enjoy the rest before they are big enough to catch and keep. Very interesting indeed. Who said it was boring here at Greens lake during February? Not me, must have been someone in the back stalls I reckon.

Fellow grey nomads were as most times, arriving to stay for a while, short stays or just over night, one was nearly classed as a resident, Gday Ned :). Some even returning for a second round of Greens Lake. I even had a visit from a good GN friend from around Sale area that had come from there to a meeting near Shepparton and came to Greens, 50km away to say hello and have a quick chat then returning to the Sale area that night, he knows who he is and a very big thankyou for your visit mate. Also and as well even yet another GN friend who actually lived in my ex home town of Wonthaggi, Sth West Gippsland called in on his way through for a quick chat, then on his way home, a very big thankyou to you also Michael.  A fellow GN had been down the far end one night and on their way out the next morning noticed my van and stopped to come over for a quick chat, thanks Jim and Tess. I love the back of your tug too. I forgot to mention a while back that a GN arrived armed with a bag of popcorn, he thought it might come in handy if the thong tree is ever mentioned again, thanks Bob :)

Happy Hours were in full swing again every night with a couple abandoned due to some cooler wind rolling in late in the arvo. Friday fish and chips night was also in full swing with some nights a big group then other nights just a couple of us. Once a week lunch outings started up again but this time,  a few different days as things are a bit quieter now that school is back.

Speaking of school holidays finishing and as just mentioned it is much quieter during the week but weekends still get busy with campers and day trippers, all enjoying paradise. Not only weekends but some locals venture out to the lake after an early dinner and arrive after 6.00pm and stay until dark, its not easy bringing a boat in while dark either and I tell you that for free. Interesting to sit back watching though.

The water level has gone quite a bit but still higher than this time last year, much higher. Even Lake Cooper across the other side of Murray Valley Highway is still looking good. I managed to capture a lovely sunrise over Lake Cooper the other day as well on my way to Melbourne for a Grandson fix, oh ok then, and his mum, my youngest daughter Kylie. Max is growing way too fast for me to keep up though. 

Later in month I had the Collie serviced and a couple of minor things done at same time including a recall on the battery. I decided to get a Holden dealer in Shepparton to do the work and after a difficult day of filling in time, was told the car needs to come back as a new battery was needed and another part, but not in stock. A day was organised for a couple of days later. Another day to fill in, bugga. Its not easy filling in a full day when it is a 100km return trip from camp and I also tell you that for free. The first day my mate Dave arrived just after my arrival at Holden to pick me up and we filled in the day driving around, had lunch etc then back to Holden at 3.00pm as told. Nope, car not ready yet so Dave went on his way and I sat in the waiting room until, wait for it, 5.00pm. The second day I wouldnt let Dave help as no need wasting two peoples day so I got a lift by the Holden courtesy mini bus into town then decided to get on a bus and just get driven around until I was sick of it. It only cost $2.40 for a concession day pass. Well done bus people. I had a great lady driver that basically gave me a guided tour of Shepparton, she was really good and I thanked the company and her. After two hours, I got off and had lunch then onto another bus to a shopping centre about 1.5km from Holden, filled in some time there and decided to walk to Holden by 3.00pm as arranged. Nope, not ready yet again so waited again, this time it was 5.00pm but car all finished and a happy camper went on his way, a very long day behind him. Dave had his car serviced in Echuca a few days later and was all done and dusted in just four hours. Made our day easier as I helped him out that time. Will I take my Collie back to Shepparton again? Mmmm, time will tell, thinking, thinking, thinking.

You might remember in my last update that I mentioned about the different people and even animals, some human :) that enjoy paradise here at Greens Lake, well I thought I had gone to sleep and missed quite a few months and woke up at the Melbourne Cup. Yep horses were enjoying the water this time and boy did they enjoy it. Also and as well even the local people come out after school/work or dinner and enjoy playing with their boats etc until dark. It has happened a lot this year as mentioned earlier. Due to Day Light Saving it doesnt get dark until nearly 9.00pm this time of year so gives plenty of play time for families to enjoy, Oh! And a few hoons out on the water as well. As usual the rules of the water are forgotten about and even the no boat zone is no exception. One day some of these people will not have a boat licence when caught, mmmm, maybe some of them dont have one to start with? Still, most people do the right thing.

I have said this many times but again, thankyou Goulbourn Murray Water for this great place.

The year is moving along quickly so will I be here at Greens Lake when we next speak? Who knows? Tune in next month to find out I spose, so until then have a great March and keep safe on the roads and out there everyone.

DOUG

Thanks for the update Doug - fun as always :)

A great read Doug and you live a very interesting life I like to see what you are up to every month 

Dragonfly1

Gday...

Another good read young Douglas

A quick question though  who on earth would go all the way to Shepp ... and then go 50km out of their way just to see YOU? 

Gawd, some people will go to any length to get a free cuppa. 

Cheers - John 

Hi Doug,

enjoyed your update and sort of with a tear in the eye that we are not going to be at Greens again for some time.

Great to have a chat with you on "the bush Telegraph" re communications on the road.

Most helpful.

All the best for 2017

Jay&Dee

Interesting reading Doug. For anyone interested in seeing ''a slice of Kakadu in Victoria'' there are 13 Brolga feeding on nearby Lake Cooper at the moment.

Reported as seen on Monday 27th, they tend to stay for a few weeks. The area is renowned for Brolga at certain times of the year.  

http://www.corop.com.au/brolgas.html 

Hi, the fish being put in the lake is really interesting. 

Horses enjoyed it. 

C u Some time. 

Great story as usual!! Might get to Greens in a few weeks. It would be great to meet you if you're still about. We're at Orbost at the moment (will sit out a few days of rain in this great town), up to Merimbula to see my brother, then back through Vic. before heading west. Cheers, and happy camping. Bob