November.  Yep won't be seeing November 2015 ever again, done and dusted, gone.  Where does the time go?  Blowed if I know.

 

Here it is already, time for another instalment of my monthly updates but first and as usual a quick U Turn is needed back to the start of the month.

 

To start of with and very quickly most know I spend the winter moons in the Townsville Tropics and had a bit of a health problem this year, you might also remember I went through many tests etc and I had a bit of a scare that had to be further investigated on my return to the summer stomping ground of VIC.

 

Now that I am set up at Greens Lake, Central VIC for  a few moons I trotted off to the local medicine man who arranged a repeat of the test in question as no other symptoms were present. Test came back AOK so no need to go any further. Phew!

 

The second week I was here it was very overcast so decided to get my extra Solar Panel out from under the false floor in the Collie and set up to produce some more juice going into the van batteries. Shut the front gate! A very noticeable difference indeed and I tell you that for free. Reason, well, I have 450w of panel's flat on the roof of the van that work well but not all day so now having a 120w panel on the ground that can be moved to follow the sun through the day makes a difference. Power to the people, well van anyway.  Now I go to bed every night full. Full batteries that is. Well what did you think I meant?

 

Speaking of grey skies and the weather we have had a mixed bag for sure cool nights with a couple of rather warm ones thrown in to let us know summer is knocking on the door and nice warm days with a couple of, wait for it, yep, hot ones, like 40c. Summer is definitely knocking on the door, in fact on those couple of days it bashed the door down. No problem as the lake gets a good work out. I have even enjoyed a few late night dips just before bed time. Very refreshing indeedy.

 

Now Greens Lake is very open for the weather gods to throw anything at us and the wind god has been very busy so far this year, to the point, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH if you are reading this wind god.  PLEASE.  Some 49kmh winds regular and even one day the wind god decided to test us all out with a 100kmh hit. Now a couple of nearby towns had houses lose their roof and the usual storm damage but us here at Greens "weathered" it quite well really, only some minor damage to tents and one awning. Dave, my next door neighbour had his gazebo destroyed but that was all. I have things well anchored down and got through with no problems (touching wood). Just last week another dose of similar winds, 60kmh this time, boy we were all rock'n but no roll'n thank goodness. Rain, well that god must be asleep I think.

 

Stop the press!

 

As I do the final touches to this update we are being battered by 50+ Nth Winds with even stronger gusts. Been like this since about lunch time. According to the weather gods I speak with the wind should start weakening soon,  for a while anyway. A few people have taken their awnings up but mine and my neighbours are keeping an eye on things all the time. The wind is way too strong to try and bring awnings up anyway.

 

Lot's of activity on the water with Ski boats, Jet Skis, yachts, and even a grey nomad having a go at wind surfing and another trying stand up paddling both with similar results...finding out how cold the water was.

 

A couple of birthdays were celebrated and good times had by all in attendance and I might say some extremely nice food found it's way onto tables for all to enjoy. Yummy camp oven stews, equally yummy Pavlova, along with just perfect trifle. Nibbles in abundance prior to the big feasts. I have said this many times but maybe just once more then, it's really hard out here in the playground. My contribution to one feast was the birthday cake for Mr Kiwi's 70th. It sure was great to see Mr&Mrs Kiwi (Brandt and Lorain) again and spend valuable time with them during their 2 week stay here. Travel Safe Brandt and Lorain. 

 

Work, now that's a dirty word these days but sometimes it just needs to be done so I have done some more additions to my van. 1. Permanently wired in a fan at the end of my bed for those hot nights and it works well too. 2. Fitted a Anderson plug to the R/H side of the van so I can plug my portable water pump into it when filling my two 95lt fresh water tanks under the van, That saves me running a cable under the van etc, so much easier now and also works well. Also saves lifting the water containers up to empty in.  Much betterer. 

 

My 2 different size Inverters are working well and doing their thing as required so happy with that as well. Yep, one happy camper for sure.

 

The 20/11 saw the first anniversary of my caravan and all is working as it should now but not without a few bumpy roads along the way. The next 12 months should be a little smother. I am looking forward to that and I tell you that for free.

 

Due to being stationary at Greens Lake for a while not a lot happens so this update is reasonably short.

 

Oh!  Forgot to mention, we now have security here at Greens Lake, Central VIC.  See pic below. 

 

OK then that's it for this episode so until next time keep safe everyone.

 

A few pics below as usual.

 

 

Top.........................Greens Lake entertainment

Bottom Left............Happy Hour

Bottom Middle.......5 minutes after a big storm hit

Bottom Right..........Storm time. 

 

 

 

Top....................Mr Kiwi Preparing a feast

Middle Left........The remake of the shower scene in Mash, the movie.

Bottom Left.......GN's Enjoying the lake 

Bottom Right.....My Patio and Decking :)

 

 

Edit......sorry, forgot Security