Shut the front gate!     More strong winds at Greens, bugga (Watch this space)

 

Hellooooooo 2016 and time for another one of my monthly updates, this time December but first and as usual we need to do a U Turn  and head back to the beginning. 

 

Remember that first line above? Well did we cop it YET AGAIN, this time over night 8/12, extremely strong Nth East winds of 40kmh with stronger 50kmh gusts. Bugga. 

The noise kept me awake most of the night and I found myself outside a couple of times checking things under the dark night skies. The main reason being the wind came in from the east and the real bad stuff usually is from the west so different noises etc.

 

While I am on the weather we started December with just magnificent weather, light breezes to no wind, no rain and day time temps in the high 30's and night time temps in the mid 20's. The rest of the month was pretty much the same with more than our share of days giving 40c a good nudge in the ribs until it hurt and actually got over 40c later in the month and yes even low 40's a couple of days......hot. We also got some more very windy days with some cold Southerly winds late in the afternoon. Still, we get more great days than bad so no complaints from me. 

 

You might remember from last month I did some extra wiring and added some Anderson plugs to the van well they are working as I wanted so very happy with that. I have now decided to put an extra fan at the back of the fridge to help get the heat out on those really hot days. Caravan fridges get very hot around the back and the poor fridge has to work extremely hard so by putting a small fan near the top it extracts the hot air. Another little job I can do myself thanks to all the advice from fellow GN's over the years. You learn so much from people around you when out here in the playground. No text book can teach you the knowledge that is out here. Thankyou to those that have freely given me advice so far, you know who you are. I have done a temporary job to see if it works, if so I will do the job properly. 

 

My next door neighbour and friend Dave and I have ventured out a couple of times and decided to have lunch while out. Great meals at each venue so no dinner those nights as we were both full from big meals. Happy hours continue each night and range in size and time. I often wonder why they are called "happy hours" as most are longer, especially the Friday night fish and chip night. Yep, you heard right, fish and chip night. Since November one of us with a car head into Rochester, about 25km to the west, pick up the orders then back to camp to enjoy. If we wrap in a towel they keep hot. Very nice they are too. You can also get nice Chinese meals from the same place. I have got some a couple of times to heat up for the next night.  Yeh, I know, it's a hard life. 

 

Xmas arrived and a great feast had been arranged at Greens Lake for all present but I ventured down south of Melbourne to be with my youngest Daughter and her in-laws and friends. The road down was extremely busy, so much so it was at a standstill in many places. I finally arrived a little later than planned but all good. Heaps of people and food. Due to the long drive there and back I only stayed for a few hours but my Daughter was aware that would be the case. I didn't leave though until I got my cuddle with my now 4 month old Grandson. Boy is he growing quick. 

 

I arrived back at Greens around 7.15 after another long drive and found all still gathered at Dave and Carol's enjoying leftovers so joined in the happy bunch until late then decided to go in the lake as usual just before bed. A great day all round.

 

All here at Greens Lake became Greens Lake Refugees yet again at the end of the month due to the place being closed from 30/12/15 - 1/1/16 like last year. This looks like it will happen every year now, all because of 2 local louts 2 years ago causing trouble. For some reason a few locals just don't appreciate what they have here at Greens. A great place with camping, boating activities, fishing, toilets, water and big bins. All free with no time limit. FOR NOW ANYWAY. 

 

Monday 28/12/15 arrived with a lovely day so I started packing up in readiness to leave as I decided to leave 29/12/15 and go to Girgarre about 15km down the road. There is not a lot of room there so leaving a day early helped getting a good spot. I was fully packed up by midday so decided to leave then so hooked up and arrived at Girgarre 30 mins later, got a great spot so set up for a 4 night stay. 

 

The 4 night stay was extremely hot with temps in the high 30's and no wind or rain.  I sure missed going in the lake to cool down before bed. Girgarre has a dump point, very clean showers with hot and cold water, very clean toilets, rubbish bins, and drinking water. The locals are friendly but unfortunately no shops for supplies but 5km down the road is Stanhope with a bakery, butcher, small supermarket, post office, chemist and hardware with gas.

 

1/1/16 arrived and time to leave. I arrived at the road leading to Greens Lake at 9.00am and joined the 30-40 vans or boats already lined up on the Midland Hwy. The barriers were removed at 10.30am and we all started heading to the lake. With all the people in front of me I thought no way will I get where I was, bugga.

 

Shut the front gate!  My mate Dave's spot and mine were still there. Celebration time. I got into my spot and spent the afternoon setting up in between trips into the water then continued setting up in wet cloths to keep cool. Yep, hot as, still, 40c in fact, HOT. 

 

So here I am back at Greens Lake for , well, not sure at this stage. One thing for sure is, I will be in that water a lot and looking forward to my late dip before bed. 

 

Well, that's about it for now so have a safe and healthy 2016 everyone. Mine started great. 

 

DOUG

 

A few picks below as usual.

 

Top left...............Real horsepower at Greens

Bottom Left........Nice lunch here at Moama RSL

Top Right............Who needs to go to WA

Bottom Right......Is this a new style house boat?

 

 

 

 

 

Top.....................Camped at Girgarre

Middle Left.........Speed Skiers training at Greens 

                           for southern 80 near Echuca on Murray River Feb 2016

Bottom Left........Looking east at Greens Lake

Middle Right.......Rubbish collection day at Greens

Bottom Right......Looking south over greens from north side