February 2016, gawn, done and dusted, never to be seen again, never fear cos here are some my memories but first hold on while I do a u turn to the beginning of the month.

 

The month started with a nice day and I spent a good part of it driving, why, well I went down to south of Melbourne to visit my daughter Kylie and now 5 month old grandson Max. Well worth the many hours of driving. Little Max won't be little much longer, he is growing quickly. I am taking advantage while staying close enough to visit as once I leave this area I won't see them for many moons. Travelling through Melbourne is a nightmare these days so glad I don't do that on a regular basis. 

 

While I was staying at Girgarre during the Greens closure there was a really sickening smell on a couple of days. I was told it could be the pig farm. As I was having breakfast in Kyabram mid February while waiting for a dental appointment I was reading the local paper for that area. A story got my attention, yep, that smell, turns out it is the local recycling plant....the old Hinze  factory in town. Big uproar from the local residents and I don't blame them. I go to this lovely little town once a week to empty my toilet canister and get drinking water and "that" smell has been around a few times. As this update goes to press it is unsure what can be done about it.

 

Now the pig farm comment got my attention so decided to make enquiries as to how close that was. Well, my neighbour and mate Dave and myself took a drive and found huge sheds close by but no signs saying what was there just signs like "keep out", "no entry", "private property" etc etc. This got my attention and curiosity going even further and finally found that yep, that "was" the pig farm. I even found photos and videos of the place. 

 

This pig farm caused a lot of trouble in very recent years and after watching a seven minute undercover video I had to turn it off half way through. What was happening at that place was, well, I won't go into it here, just to say I would love to put the owners in the conditions those pigs had. From what I found out it is closed and undergoing major investigations etc.

 

I mentioned dump points before. There was one installed next to the toilet block at Greens Lake during the last couple of weeks. That will be a great and welcome addition to an already great place.  For those that might not know what a dump point is, it is a place to empty your toilet canisters etc and waste water while travelling around. Usually a very safe and clean way of doing so. 

 

The weekends have proved very popular with locals and one weekend early in the month there were hundreds here enjoying boating activities, picnics or just relaxing. I must admit that by Sunday night I was over it and glad to see Monday with only a few quiet campers around. I even had people set up on the sand in front of me due to the low water level leaving a big gap from my camp to water edge.

 

My next door neighbour and friend Dave and myself have ventured out for lunch one day a week and have mostly been to a different venue each time, very nice meals and I tell you that for free. One day we went out to lunch with 3 other neighbours to celebrate a birthday. Very nice people to and great to have them as neighbours for a couple of weeks.

 

The month, as usual has seen GN members come and go, some I have met before and new ones. It is always good to meet up with fellow GN's. Many chats taken place. I won't mention names as it is not my place without their permission. 

 

Weather, yep, like you we get it here too. I must say though for the month of February it has been fantastic weather, low to mid 30's during the day and low to high teens over night. Not much wind either and what wind was around mostly it was just very light so yep, a great month weather wise. Although the local farmers wouldn't agree as little to no rain. 

 

Having said all that we had 3 days during the last week that hit low 40's, Hot and even hot nights 30+, also hot. Those low winds I mentioned well on the hot days they got stronger and from the north west. Total fire bans in place as well. Still, it is that time of year here in central VIC. No complaints really. I let gene out for run on a few days so she got the aircon all fired up. I still have to keep her chained up so she doesn't go walkabout. 

 

I mentioned earlier that the pig farm thing got my attention, well it happened again, this time I found a lovely memorial dedicated to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment (Vietnam) in a little town not far from Greens, Tongala, a 30 minute drive sort of north east. As I was looking around a large wall of names, one in particular got my attention. My last name. Now that meant he was related. I noticed B.C. at the end, I think I know who that is! My interest grew rapidly and after some more investigation found it was my cousin Bruce who was in the regular army since a young bloke. Bruce lived with my family for a short time many moons back. We have been out of touch for few years now. As happens many times. 

 

I found out that unfortunately Bruce lost his battle from injuries in 2014, caused by a major motorbike accident while travelling overseas with fellow bikers a few years back. It was a sad moment at that point and also while reading the information at the memorial. I also found out that over 200 members of the regiment came from Australia wide for the opening of the memorial. 

 

Well thats about it for this month but as you have just read some interesting things happen out here in the playground so until next month keep safe everyone.

 

A few pics below as normal. If you don't like the way I am doing the photos now let me know please and I will go back to individual photos.

 

DOUG 

 

 

Top...........Busy day at Greens Lake

Middle......The new dump point at Greens 

Bottom.....Sunrise at Greens

 

 

 

Top Left............Avenue of honour at Tongala Central VIC

Top Right..........A statue at the Memorial, Tongala

Bottom.............3rd Cavalry Regiment Memorial, Tonagla