Howdy! Welcome to December but as this is my November Update, sit back, relax with a nice drink and read on.

November started out very wet with rain on and off daily for a week and a bit on the chilly side due to cold southerly winds, it also started with the house sit I was doing near Bacchus Marsh extending for another two weeks and that was not a problem at all.

Just prior to the wet weather I managed to catch up with good GN friends Daryl and Renata who live near Geelong VIC. They were going to Melton, just east of and via Bacchus March and we met in The Marsh for lunch and a good chat, it was great to see them both again. I last saw them at GreenS Lake about two years ago when they called in to say hi and stayed a night, maybe two, I cant remember sorry. I blame Uncle Al for that.

The Collie clocked up 75,000 km and a service needed, now I was trying to hang out until I reached GreenS Lake and then get it serviced but being a scheduled book service and wanting the brakes checked before I left The Marsh I decided to get it done there. I had done a lot of hilly and windy driving over the last few months, so a peace of mind thing really. So instead of finding a good mechanic I decided to give it to the Holden Dealer in Bacchus Marsh, they are a smaller dealership so was hoping for better service from staff than in a big dealer ship like in Townsville where the last service was done. I'm over big dealerships, 'THAT' personal touch has gone these days. You only get to speak to a 'consultant' who gives written instructions to the workshop and a 'technician' does the job then gives written info back to the consultant who then gives you a written invoice with any info on it. THEN you find the job not done or checked properly. A booking was made. Time will tell I said to myself.  Service day arrived so dropped the Collie off and discussed a few things then went back two hours later as arranged. Another 30 mins and all finished, the workshop was right there in front of me and the mechanic was at the desk and said all good with no problems found. He was very interested in how I live in a CV and travel full time and was looking forward to the day he retires, mmmm, long way to go young fella. I reckon he would have been 30ish.

In one of my many drives around the area I came across some great rock formations near Baynton VIC it is part of the Macedon Ranges and a bit south west of Heathcote, they are Granite rocks formed over many years. They are also scattered around for KMs through the area.

I touched on how busy it is in Bacchus Marsh last update yet when you stand back in the main street and look around it reminds me more like a village than a town, I got to like Bacchus Marsh during my 8-week house sit and will miss it for a while. Still, I can smell water to the north :)

The owners of the house arrived home around mid-month with health improved so after chatting the rest of the day away and staying another night, I packed up the Collie and Aluminium Tent and headed off. Due to the dangerous road I had to get out onto from the driveway Mark headed off down the road over the hill and bend in road while Sue stood on other side of road with walkie talkies and Mark let Sue know all was good and she indicated to me all was good to come out. Mark then came out in front of traffic to slow them down until I was all clear and on my way. A very big thankyou to Mark and Sue for that assistance and them trusting me to look after their pride and joy. I started heading north and found the Collie had taken me to GreenS Lake, on the Midland Hwy, 50km west of Shepparton VIC. Bugga. I'm sure the Collie has a mind of its own sometimes as I had no control at all of the destination. I decided that seeing that is where I was I would stay :) My good mate Dave was already there on the same spot he had last year and the spot I was on was vacant so naturally I moved next door again. I must say, I love the spot and feel very comfy indeed.

It was rather hot when I arrived but after levelling the Aluminium Tent and disconnecting from the Collie I rolled out the awning and anchored it down like rope city.  Just as well as strong winds rolled in two days later. Next, the outside matt was rolled out and seats etc set up. Relaxation time and happy hour only minutes away. Yes! GreenS Lake :)

Due to travelling without water in my fresh water tanks as it puts the van way over its listed ATM (max weight of van loaded) I needed to fill them with fresh water but that had to wait until the next day. I had my first moonlight dip before bed that night and was great. The next day arrived and out came the 60lts of water I had in containers in the Collie as that is underweight all over. I put all that in the 2x95lt tanks via my portable 12v pump then had my first daylight dip in the lake, also nice. The next day I went and got another 60lts of water from a RV friendly town not far away. That was also pumped into the tanks, then a friend was leaving and wanted to empty his water tank so off I went armed with my containers and portable 12v pump. After a short time, all containers full and a happy friend due to having an empty tank and one happy Doug, thanks Mike. I hope the weekend went well my friend. Back to my van and with that water my tanks were both full of nice fresh water. Why don't you use the lake water I hear someone down the back ask? Well, due to a muddy bottom the water can be a little murky when windy and I would prefer clean water in the tanks even though I don't drink that water. I have used the lake water though many moons back and filtered it into the tanks.

I have a setup, like many travellers, so I can catch rain water off my awning roof so rigged that up and when the rain started, and that it did soon after, within a very short time my 6x10lt containers plus 1x20lt and 1x25lt containers I carry empty were all full, 105lts in total of nice rain water and ready for the tanks to be topped up when needed. Not only all that but as well even, a friend from Shepparton who was now back home from his trip to Bunbaberg QLD and who I caught up with on my way back from Townsville during September came out to the lake to say hi a couple of weeks later and came armed with fresh water so I got 25lts of that as I had nothing else to fill. He also gave me a pole carrier for the back of the Aluminium TeePee that I will put my grey water hoses in. The carrier and hoses dont have much weight to them so all will be good and gets the hoses out of the back of the Collie. I did a temporary job fitting it to the rear bumper until I get the correct brackets. Thanks Bob.

Weather, yep plenty of variation in that department and I tell you that for free. The weather was wet and cold early in the month but improved rapidly and temps for the month ranged from 4c- 23c overnight and 15c- 37c during the day. Two days after my arrival at GreenS the weather gods sent some strong winds as mentioned above, they slowed a little but the rains hit and hung around a few days. No big drama as also mentioned above I was able to get spare water. Now, that all said, the 24^th arrived and wham! In came really strong winds with heavy rain included. The weather gods really let us have it full on. I noticed the next day there was metal frames, damaged chairs etc up at the big bins. People got hit harder than me obviously and lost gazebos etc. I was fine. One family got flooded so bad all their bedding etc got soaked and tent destroyed and they had to pack up and leave. The kids were so upset. Not only all that but two days later it all happened again, bugga. The only good thing about rain like that is I get heaps of nice clean water for the water tanks under the van but I can only capture and store so much. It then just contributes to the flooded and muddy roads around us, stranding a few campers until it dries enough to get out. Im fine where I am but others aren't so lucky.

The first Friday a few days after my arrival saw Friday Fish and Chips start up again and that was enjoyed by a few happy campers during happy hour and I'm sure the weekly lunch at a club or similar that Dave and I enjoy will also start up again very soon. Yep, sure did and the last week of the month saw the weekly lunch outing start up again. Moama RSL was the venue and we also had a good GN friend from Echuca join us, it was good to see ken again, thanks mate.

I am surprised how busy GreenS Lake is for this time of year, around 30 happy campers each night either around the lake or up around trees, very busy indeed. Word seems to be spreading rapidly about this great place. There were also a few GNs call in and stay a couple of nights or just to visit on their way through and always good to see them again along with meeting a few of the happy campers and locals as they venture out with their boats or similar. I also got a visit in to see my daughter and the two boys south of Melbourne so that was good too.

Max is loving the Max Project :).............(hope he didn't read that bit)

Every time I come to GreenS Lake there is another sign, it's getting like sign city. The new one is telling everyone officially about the new year closure, we must ALL get out no later than 29/12 and can return midday 1/1 each year. Not only people OUT but vans etc as well OUT, no ifs, buts or maybes. OUT. Anyone stays they get towed out at their expense.

I'm not sure if it is an age thing or just not much on the TV these days but I am rapidly losing interest in TV. I just cant be bothered lately. I start watching something that I did like but get bored and turn it off. I am finding myself reading a lot more though. I have books on my Smartphone and find that easy to read and actually enjoy reading these days, something I have hated previously and got bored very quickly with. Mmmmm, not sure what that means?

So, here I am set up at GreenS Lake to enjoy a great place provided by Goulburn-Murray Water so a big thankyou to them. Although I am staying a little longer, this update has finished so until next we chat, keep safe out there everyone.     

Oh! By the time you read my next update Xmas and New Year Eve will be done and dusted so have a safe and enjoyable Xmas and start to 2018 everyone.

Some pics below as usual.   

Gday...

Good read young Dougie

I reckon ya better sit berry, berry still at ya site for a little while longer yet .... and keep those gumboots handy

Cheers - John

Thanks for the update Doug, another great read.  Reckon you might be the reason Greens is getting so popular!