To start off where October finished though, the Melbourne Cup was run and won on the 1/11/16. I wouldn't know one end of a horse to the other so no bets made by this little black duck and I tell you that for free.
The month started and continued with some great weather for a change, interrupted with a few days here and there with some very ordinary weather but the signs were there that summer is on the way so no complaints from me. We even got a few hot days. Unfortunately, the wind was still around earlier in the month but the second half of the month was, well, perfect really, so can't ask much better that that really. The water in the lake has even started to warm up so the daily dips started up and the odd bed time dip as well, things will be in full motion sooner than soon.
The 22nd saw light rain on and off all day, making it the first rains for a couple of weeks so that settled the dust nicely. Fortunately, it didn't flood the drying out road that formed the Greens Lake island I talked about in a previous update, with photo as well.
Speaking of water, the water level here at Greens Lake Northern Central VIC has gone down slightly but only slightly since my arrival and the local areas have also started to dry out since flooding etc so things are starting to get back to normal, if that is normal?
As usual here, fellow grey nomads and other travellers have arrived to stay for a while or go the next day, some even just called in to say hi then go again. Some I have met before and others for the first time. Its always good to catch up with people I have met before and equally as good to meet new people. It's never lonely out here in the playground. Oh! The happy Hours are hard too.
Friday fish and chips has also been in full swing and on some nights, many enjoying a good feed in good company. My neighbour, Dave and I have also been enjoying our weekly outing to different local towns for lunch and on a few occasions with other neighbours joining us. It's always good to go as a small group and enjoy a lovely lunch together.
The local speed skiers have as usual been very busy training out on the water with a few boats having mechanical problems. With the speeds these boats get up too is it any wonder they have a few problems. The skiers also must find it hard at times for the length of time they are up on the water with a powerful boat dragging them along the water, my arms and legs hurt just writing about it. Speaking of speed? Mmmm, the weekend of the 19+20th was extremely busy, you would be forgiven if you thought it was Xmas school holidays. People camped everywhere and those, along with the day trippers it was busy busy busy, boats or similar out on the lake and families enjoying the just perfect weather. Great entertainment as usual, mostly everyone was very well behaved with no known trouble or noise after around 10.00pm, most were gone by 7.00pm Sunday. Monday morning arrived and looking around all was back to the nice quiet week days. The two big skip bins, full to over flowing though. They got emptied Thursday, phew! Now come on, did I say quiet week days? Well, by Midday Monday there were vans everywhere again, there was even a large group of schoolies down a bit on the other side of the launching ramp set up with tents and boats to hopefully enjoy Greens. Yep, they did enjoy and mostly well behaved so that was good.
Who was the big mouth that said things were quiet over the 19th + 20th? Oooops, it was me, bugga. Well on the next weekend things were a little different with a few young blokes in their 20s turned up late afternoon on the Friday ready for a bux doo, set up right down the R/H end of the lake from the ramp and things were ok until evening when out came the loud music and continued until around 2.00am Friday and Saturday, I ended up putting my earplugs in around midnight as enough is enough. Mongrels. Oh well Sunday night came and they were gone. You have to put up with the good and bad out here in the playground, see, I told ya its hard out here.
I managed to fit in to my heavy schedule here at the lake a visit down to south of Melbourne to see my youngest daughter and grandson again and as always great to spend a few hours with them. The little bloke is growing rapidly and is a happy little chappy, although it wont be long and I he will tell me off for calling him little I spose, well he is 15months old!
You might remember in a previous update I mentioned that Lake Cooper, on the other side of the Midland Highway from here at Greens Lake, well it is still looking well stocked with water after many years of being dry as a bone. I have included a pic below for those that might have seen Lake Cooper dry.
One thing I have noticed this trip to Greens Lake is how busy it is during the week this year. No sooner do the weekend warriors leave Sunday night, Monday morning arrives with heaps of space but by lunch time its busy as, with vans etc set up and this doesn't change much for the rest of the week days. I speak to many of them and I am told quite often that they have never heard of or stayed at Greens Lake before but will return. I am also told that they are here because the mozzies up along the Murray River will pick you up, van and all and eat you alive. This of course is due to the recent flooding along the river. Little buggas. Well, big ones. The river is nearly back to normal and camping areas are open once again, if you can get in due to some may still be a little muddy.
Well thats about it for this month so until we meet in cyber space yet again, keep safe everyone and have a great Xmas with family or friends or both.
DOUG
They breed them strange around the Goulbourne Valley area.
The Greens Lake Coast Guard on patrol.
Another perfect start to a Greens Lake day.
Lake Cooper.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 1st of December 2016 02:46:47 PM
Again a great read and insight into the stresses of being out in the big playground on a full time basis, life must be really tough, I really do feel sorry for you, anyway I hope you enjoy your time at greens and that the Christmas crowd look after you.
Happy Christmas Doug
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Life was meant to be enjoyed Australia was meant to be explored
Happily doing both to the Max.
Life is like a camera, focus on what's important & you will capture it every Time
Thanks Doug, a great read as usual. We called into Greens on one trip without the van and it was as wet as! Obviously didn't see it at its best. Must have a stay there some time with the van. Cheers, Brownie.
I will pass on some wisdom about horses, which I received from others
If you find it hard to tell one end from another, then just walk around it
The front is the part which bites you, and the back is the part which kicks you
I am starting to think that Greens Lake might be too crowded for me by the time I get there in '20. I guess that is the trouble with the good spots, the more people that discover them the less appealing they become due to overcrowding.
Great to meet up Doug, pleasant stay there on the way up to the blue mountains, the wife made a comment on the way out "what a pleasant and friendly couple of gentlemen"
Yes it was nice to meet both you and Dave, now i can put a face to the pair of you.
Enjoy your stay at Greens both of you maybe catch up another time.
Pomme, and Wife.
Great to meet up Doug, pleasant stay there on the way up to the blue mountains, the wife made a comment on the way out "what a pleasant and friendly couple of gentlemen" Yes it was nice to meet both you and Dave, now i can put a face to the pair of you. Enjoy your stay at Greens both of you maybe catch up another time. Pomme, and Wife.
Gday...
STRUTH Pomme - and wife - I think your wife has been fooled ... lucky Doug & Dave don't know she said that ... their egos are too well fed already
If I were you I would keep it to meself.
cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Only a couple of things missing, When do the Twins arrive ? they must have bought their new swim suits in Byron Bay by now ???
Just an idea for you to pay the grocery Bill, why don't you invest in a Ice-cream van for the weekends, or maybe a Coffee van for after the Happy hour events. LOL
One day we will venture over there again, merry christmas to you and all your friends.
K.J.
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From Coast to Coast, We'll see it all.......One Day
On the 18th december last year, we met you at greens and I celebrated my birthday with some people we met there. This year we are going to Yarra junction c.park and having a barbie. Enjoy reading your blog.
in Jan we are taking grandkids to Castlemaine to camp. All looking forward to this. Wish you and all other nomads a safe Xmas on the roads.
Thank you Doug for sharing with us all. I enjoyed reading your blog & looking at your pic's. It sure is wonderful to see our lakes & rivers full once again. It's been a long time since we have seen things thriving like they are. I have horses somewhere in my paddock! the grass is that high I can't see them from the house.
Horse lessons
1) one end bites the other kicks
2) otherwise known as "turners " they turn good hay into Sh..
3) how do you spell " hungry horse " in four letters :) M T G G
4) how do you tell if your mates horse got out while you were at footy training :( look for teeth marks on your freshly painted new bonnet, Mongrel
Now that cow geeees I've heard of them getting web feet but not mermaid tails must have been really wet there .
Good read Doug
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
