Shut the front gate! October started the way September finished, cold and wet, what happened to spring?

October also started with the AFL Grand Final on the 1/10 and then NRL Grand Final 2/10. The 2/10 was also the start of Daylight Saving for NSW, VIC and SA only. It also started with more storms and extremely strong winds in north central VIC. Once again my awning was rolled up to be safe and one less thing to keep an eye on.

Speaking of awnings and people, was I speaking of people? Never mind cos I am now :). On Sunday 2/10 after rolling my awning up I was speaking to a fellow camper not all that far from me and he said I was a bit paranoid wasn't I for rolling up my awning? The wind was only around 35kmh says he. Its not the wind now, it is what's coming through this area within the next 24 hours+ says I. Nah! No problem, I will bring mine in only when it gets that bad says he. No problem mate Says I and I walked away. I looked in his direction about 3 hours later as the wind had already started to get much stronger and as I looked he was attempting to roll his awning up, when all of a sudden it took off on him and over his van, nice mess too. He looked my way and I raced over to lend any assistance but was told to go away. Thats not actually what he said though. Oh well, you can't help everyone. Things settled down and we at Greens were able to enjoy a few nice days but out of nowhere gale force winds hit hard, 70-80kmh winds. I had asked the weather gods early about the winds and they reckon mid-afternoon will get bad so was going to roll up awning yet again but as I was having a shower it hit so was too late to roll up and just had to ride it out and hope for the best. I always anchor down my awning well with ropes everywhere for those just in case times. I wont say nothing will happen cos there is always that possibility the awning could take off but at least with good ropes and pegs you have a fighting chance to get through without damage. All was good after things settled down, PHEW! 

Now, I am not really an AFL fan these days but the AFL grand final was a very exciting and close game all the way to the end really but the Western Bulldogs were victorious at the end and it was great to see them take the flag home. Next up was the NRL grand final, now I am interested in the NRL. It was played Sunday night 2/10 and I was hoping for the Melbourne Storm to be victorious but that wasnt to be and the Cronulla Sharks took the trophy home. I wasn't upset really as both the Bulldogs and Sharks got their first Grand Final victories for many moons so all good.

Have I said it was COLD yet?

Cold! Yep most of October actually had cold winds and cold weather, rain on a few days and the muddy roads talked about in my September Update have finally started to dry out but can change quickly when it rains. For those that know, Lake Cooper is across the other side of the Midland Highway and for the last few years dry. Well, due to all the heavy rain in recent times and flooding, Lake Cooper is getting close to full. Looks good too.

Mid October I took a drive to Frankston, south of Melbourne to visit my youngest daughter and grandson but on the way I called into Campbellfield just on the northern outskirts of Melbourne to pick up a water filter for under my sink then to Clearview Mirrors to get them to check why my R/H indicator on the mirror as it wasnt working, after 45 mins it was discovered the earth wire to the indicator only, wasn't working. My visit to my daughter was as usual great and although my grandson doesnt see very much of me at all he was good with me and even let me hold his hand and take him outside. Was I happy? YEP.

Visitors. Yep, had a few people call in to say hi or stay then off to their next destination, some were known Grey Nomads and others were new to me but all very nice people and as always good to see or meet them. This is a great life I lead these days and although I travel as a Solo GN I never get lonely as there is always someone to chat to. As we speak the weather seems to be on the improve with a good day here and there, so all should be good and maybe next time we speak I can report I feel warmer.

My good mate Dave turned up with his new caravan and that looks great and he is very happy with it. You might remember me talking about Dave earlier this year, he had a small 5^th wheeler he travelled in and fell down the back step and broke his ankle and was on crutches and took some months to recover. He was only here for a week then took his van for a service and finalise selling his 5^th wheeler. He came back a couple of weeks later and is now set up again and enjoying Greens lake.

While Dave was here the first time we went out for lunch to the Moama RSL and as usual that was very nice then we had Friday fish and chips, something we started up last year and ended up very popular with someone heading to the fish and chip shop armed with many orders, returning and sitting in a group we all enjoyed a feed. That will start up again on Daves return I'm sure. It sure did start up again on his return and a few people also enjoyed a feed during happy hour. Gee its hard out here.

I have noticed in my travels around the area fields etc are starting to dry out a little but will still take some more time to dry out fully. Roads are damaged but the road work crews are trying hard to catch up with repairs. There are signs on the side of the road as you approach the really bad spots warning of damage ahead.

A large caravan club had their annual muster and AGM at the Shepparton Show Grounds mid-month and quite a few people stopped here for a few days before heading to Shepparton and a few came here after the meet. Little yellow flags from their club everywhere. Some of the people were very friendly and chatty indeed, one group even tried to talk me into joining up but I am happy to do as I do now without a big club.

I have had a couple of people approach me for advice about 12volt use and Solar Power but as I don't give advice as such or recommend things in that department, as I am no expert, I just explain what and how I have done things and leave it up to them to take it from there. Some have even asked why I do things a certain way and next I notice they have changed to doing the same or very similar. I am only too happy to help where I can. I learnt from fellow GNs and travellers so it feels good to spread the word.    

The month ended with the Melbourne Cup so called long weekend, I say so called because the actual public holiday is Tuesday not the Monday as well, however a lot of people take the Monday as a rostered day off or annual leave day or similar. What I can't work out is how a lot of people start arriving the Tuesday BEFORE the so called long weekend, school kids age and all in tow. Maybe school isnt as important these days? Who knows? I dont. I do know that in my previous life I couldnt get the Monday off, bugga. Even these days as a full time Grey Nomad I dont get any Public Holidays, not even sick days or annual leave, it is a seven-day job. I wouldn't change it though, no way known to mankind :) Car loads of people turned up towing all sorts of accommodation behind or with them and by the Saturday night the place was packed, yet no trouble that I was aware of and even a very large group near me with not one but two generators going all day and into the night were surprisingly quiet after about 10.30pm. I can live with that! They stuck to themselves and didn't wave back or talk but I can live with that too.

Well, thats about it for this month so until next we meet in cyber space, take care everyone.

DOUG

Nice of the water people to cut the grass for me on my arrival.

Greens Lake Island, heavy rains floods this section of the road.

This is better, first of the great sunrises.

Will someone please feed the cowes.

Speed Skiers training.

Speed Skiers again.