"I hate meeses to pieces"

Yet another Month has finished and soon 2019 will be here.

Welcome to my August 2018 update.

I will start with the weather. Plenty of it while on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne in Southern VIC. August started where July left off, cold wet and windy, very windy and it didn't let up for ages. There was 5c -11c overnights and 10c 18c during days. That all said a storm hit overnight on the 17/8 and during 18/8 with gale force winds. I was a little protected from it all where I was though and survived without any damage etc. 

I also started the month visiting my daughter and her family and in-laws as it was my grandsons first birthday, the reason I was staying so close. We had a family gathering on the day and a happy time had by all, including the birthday boy. He had a smile on his dial all day. Wont be long now and you will be a big boy Flynn.

Now, I also started the month by getting the Collie serviced but this time not with Holden as it is out of warranty and has been for 12 months. My daughter and in-laws use the same mechanic and highly recommended him so after chatting with him, book in I did. I was very happy with the end result and all filters including the fuel pre-filter had a change of filter. He also fitted the new genuine Holden reverse camera I supplied. That solved the clarity problem and I tell you that for free. You might remember last update I mentioned that and the rear lights on the aluminium tent were playing up. Gee it was good to speak to the actual mechanic and not a consultant.

On picking up the Collie later in the day the mechanic showed me the air filter, it had been chewed by mice or at least one little bugga, not even sure how they/it got in the enclosed casing but in they got. Probably through the air intake. No other noticeable damage was found after investigating. Luckily, as I have heard of many problems like that and cost heaps to fix. I'm pretty sure I know where they came from too, Greens Lake. I have heard of many people having trouble there with the pesky little buggers. Gee "I hate meeses to pieces". (remember Pixie and Dixie and their mate the cat, Mr Jinx)

The month moved along and so did I. Mid-month I headed slightly north but still in VIC. First though a two-night stop at the Rosebud West Foreshore Camping Area (Caple Sound) sections A&B were the only two sections open this time of year though. Camping there was something I have always wanted to do since a kid when seeing all the tents and caravans there. Not cheap even for off peak times, $35 per night with power and water, no unpowered sites available. I spose you could say a Bucket List thing. On my arrival the staff in the office were exceptional and friendly and I was even taken to the allocated site that was easy to get my aluminium tent on to and was able to stay hooked up to the Collie. There were some useful shops on the other side of the main road so that is always handy. I even had a visitor late Saturday afternoon and fish and chips from across the road were enjoyed by Brian and Myself. The two nights went very quickly and were enjoyable.  A big thanks to Brian and Cheryl for being my hosts for the last few weeks.  

Off to Kelly Country. Gday Ned and Jenny :)

Time to leave south of Melbourne, so an early slow trip through the Melbourne freeway systems in some very nasty weather and a detour near Essendon airport that I got tangled up in and in the wrong lane then having to get out of that mess then onto the Hume freeway then Northward bound. The weather started to improve once over the Great Divide although still cold. On arrival at my destination, my first real caravan park, I was welcomed by Kylee in the office. Kylee and Dean were on their way out and saw me turning in so turned around and opened up the office for me, I was a little early to normal arrivals I spose as it was around midday. After a friendly chat and payment made I then set up camp in the Glenrowan Tourist Caravan Park so I could explore Glenrowan and surrounding areas. I was all set up on a lovely drive through site overlooking ranges in the distance. The only thing I found strange and if going to stay in caravan parks again is, get used to having someone close on both sides of you. I have had people front and back but not sides.

I spent the first full day looking around at the Ned Kelly displays etc and taking a few pics to send to my granddaughter Shaylee up in nice warm Townsville as she is learning all about Ned at school. She was able to share the pics with her class as I sent them through the same day.

The big Ned Kelly in the main street is well, BIG. I also payed the $28 pension admission to look around Ned Kellys Last Stand Animated Theatre. Now at first, I thought the cost was over the top but after seeing the actual theatre side of it all, the displays out back and the personal touch added by the owner, Bob and his 21-year-old Grandson I changed my mind and if you have never seen this show well do yourself a favour and do so. Great hour spent. I even learnt something. What I hear you say? Well, I didn't know Ned and his gang were beheaded after their death. I probably did know but don't remember. Ned is still walking around though as I have met him, haven't I Jenny :) A good day spent in a nice little town with friendly people.

Also, and as well even, a day visit to the Bright area where I had arranged to meet a couple of GNs. We have missed each other by "that much" on a couple of occasions but finally a meet up took place. It was good to spend time chatting to John and Lorraine while enjoying a morning cuppa and then a lovely lunch. Oh! Those slices were good too weren't they John! Thanks for a lovely day Lorraine and John.

I discovered I was short of a prescription of a keep alive tablet I take each day, for some reason I was only given 3 repeats instead of 5 so instead of finding another GP locally and a regular GP I visit only 1.5 hours away I decided to head there to save a lot of filling out paperwork etc. It also gave me a day out. I contacted a fellow GN that was in that area and we met up and had a good old natter then I headed back to Kelly County Via Tocumwal to see a friend there then check out a spot I have heard a lot about that is good for a few nights stay. Nice too.

I also paid a visit to Wangaratta one day but wasnt all that impressed so didnt bother again. Parking meters everywhere, couldn't get parking to visit the RSL or Wangaratta Club for lunch. It's just another big town on my forget list. Sorry to any Wang people reading this. I continued driving around some back roads and came across a painted water tank in the middle of what was once Lake Mokoan, a stones throw away south of Glenrowan, it reminded me of the painted silos that are becoming good tourist attractions. This is in the middle of nowhere though!

Another day I headed to Wodonga via Beechworth and Yackandandah and what a lovely drive that day was. Got a few things in Wodonga then headed back to Glenrowan and topped up Collie with fuel and checked tyre pressures ready for yet another departure heading slightly further north, crossing the VIC NSW boarder and onto Holbrook NSW to explore that area.

I arrived at my destination, Holbrook NSW and the Holbrook Caravan and Cabin Park. Checked in at office and set up on a site I got to choose. The manager, Trevor and Wife Sharon, where I was staying told me about a lovely drive to Corryong so I did just that and boy was I rewarded with just truly amazing views of farmland and the great Murray River that I have never seen from that area and the water was crystal clear. To top that off there were amazing views of snow covered Mount Kosciuszko. Now that was nothing short of Wow! Fantastic! Truly Amazing! Gob smacking beautiful and just for good measure, spectacular! Did I paint a picture for you? Even if I did, you just had to see it to believe it. I have included a pic of one of the views but it doesn't do the view justice, you just had to be there to appreciate it.

The next day I visited the main reason for my stay in this little town that once you would drive through when travelling the Hume Hwy but now, the freeway bypasses the town. So, what was it someone down the back asked? The Submarine and associated Museum is what. Yeh! A submarine! This was everything I had hoped it would be as I have this thing about submarines. Very informative and interesting indeed and to think there is a real sub in the main street of an inland NSW town. The Hologram was great to see and listen to as well. Yep I was one happy camper indeed. If you haven't seen this display and you find yourself in the area make sure you make time to visit. Well worth the large entrance fee of $5 pensioner. Well done Holbrook and a big thanks to Mrs Holbrook for her input from many moons ago.      

Just before I go I will go back to the weather for a bit more of an update. Since I left south of Melbourne the mornings got colder in fact real cold, freezing cold, like -3c to 2c, even frost and ice covering anything and everything horizontal however, the days were much better, like mid-teens but lovely and sunny making you feel warm in the sun, yep, nice days for sure. Ooops, spoke too soon, the last day of winter turned very windy and wet all day but no ice in the morning.

Those -3c days I experienced frozen water in the outside hose when hooked up to mains water, even the tap was frozen in the on position, bugga, no water until it thawed out, usually around 8.30am. No drama as I made allowances and had some water on hand in the aluminium tent if needed.

Did I enjoy my August? You bet ya. Even though it was a busy August I did things I have wanted to do for many moons.

So, I will leave you with those cold thoughts above for this update and hope you all have a safe September. Catch ya in Cyber Space next month.

Some pics below as always.

DOUG            

Another really great tale Doug. I have a picture of SWMBO looking through the 

periscope in the Holbrook museum. You could see the whole town through it. 

Sleeping quarters looked a little squeezy though.

Safe Travels

Peterpan

AKA Kevin.

Thanks for another great update on your life doug! I'm another submarine fanatic and can highly recommend the Gosport submarine museum in England but it's a bit far to tow your Tepee.

Gday...

Another good read young Dougie.

I'm still up in the warm but I keep looking at those VIC temps, wind, rain, hail etc and will remain very well north of the NSW/QLD border for some time yet.

Cheers - John

Great report Doug! The drives around Wodonga, Beechworth and Yackandandah are quite scenic. Couple of years ago we headed that way from Mt Beauty & thoroughly enjoyed it!

No surprise to hear of the cold mornings. Corryong & surrounds are beautiful, but by jingoes is it cold. We had -4C at Indi Bridge near there. Just as well there are always some thermals in the van! Lots of great places to stay all through the North/North east.

Another interesting read Doug.

Maybe another good reason to have a snorkel, colder rammed air, reduced dust intake, playing submarines and stop the mice moving into the lakeside air box

Hi Doug another good read, sounds like a busy but mostly fun month.  We are in Victoria last 2 days have had some sunshine.  Agree that prior to that we had wind rains, freezing temperatures and there is more to come.

Lynda

Kaid wrote:

---

We must have driven past you while you were at Rosebud Dougwe.
Was down visiting my mother at her Mornington Nursing Home.
Ended up staying most of August as she had a fall just before we got down there.
A quick visit turned into planning her Funeral and a lengthy stay :(

---

 Sorry to hear that Kaid. Same thing happened to my mum in August 2017; had  fall & broke her hip, never got out of bed after that & passed away soon after. Being the only family member in Vic, I had to make all the arrangements. Still cannont believe it happened a year ago; seems like a month ago.

Our condolences to you.

Thanks fwdoz. August was a pretty ****ty month for us.

This last fall was the straw that broke the camels back.

Mum would have been 93 end of this month

Enjoyable read Dougwe. We escaped the Peninsula 3 weeks ago.

We've lived there for over 40 years & we reckon this winter was the coldest & WINDIEST that we can remember!

Years ago we camped in a mice plague up in the Mallee. A mouse died in our Subaru heating system & every time we turned it on it stunk like a dead rat!

"Also, and as well even, a day visit to the Bright area where I had arranged to meet a couple of GNs. We have missed each other by "that much" on a couple of occasions but finally a meet up took place. It was good to spend time chatting to John and Lorraine while enjoying a morning cuppa and then a lovely lunch. Oh! Those slices were good too weren't they John! Thanks for a lovely day Lorraine and John......" said Dougwe

Thanks Doug for including our meeting up in your update. Mr D certainly enjoyed the rest of the slices you fortunately left behind. Have also had correspondence from our mutual friend in WA. Thanks for passing on his email address.

Always a good read, thank you Doug. Not only did you visit Kelly country, you also visited God's country! I have spent a lot of happy, camping days along the Alpine way, about 35klms from Khancoban at a great free camp site at Geehi. If you love crystal clear mountain streams, snow capped mountains, plenty of wildlife & a spot of trout fishing, I can't recommend this spot highly enough.

I also come from Kelly country! My family lived in Avenel where Ned's Father is buried. Ned spent a lot of his early youth in Avenel. My Mothers house was one of the first houses built in Avenel, we knew that for sure. The original house consisted of two rooms, fireplace at one end, the corners of the house were held up by cut tree trunks. It sat on a high bank off Hughes creek approx 1 mile downstream of the bridge where Ned saved a boy from drowning. I was reading a book on Ned Kelly, the book talked about the house that Ned's Father built,  a two roomed cabin built mostly of cut trees, approx a mile from the bridge & on a high bank overlooking hughes creek. We never found out for sure, but from the description, it sure sounded like a description of my Mothers house. If it was the house that Ned's Father built, sadly it was knocked down after my Mum sold it, even though she had a new extension, retaining the original cabin as the front of the house. I cried the day I saw that.

As for Tocumwal, I love that little town! I spend many days during the early Summer & most of Autumn in my fav free camping spot on the magical Murray River. It's like a big magnet that keeps drawing me back.

Thanks HB, that all sounds very interesting indeed. I felt like being back in school getting a History lesson  I did really enjoy my stay in that area though and I tell you that for free.