Well knock me down with a feather, where in this crazy world did the last two months go? If you know, please let me know, cos I dont.

Gday. Welcome to my Bi Monthly Update #2 Covering May and June 2020. I am giving serious thought to speaking to the powers to be and get 2020 cancelled and get right into 2021.

Sit back, relax with a nice drink and read on. if you dare!

I might start off this update with the weather report just because I can I spose. Boy, was it a cold and wet with wind here and there, for the start of May. The first few days here where I am anyway, in Nth East VIC saw temps ranging from -2c to 7c overnight and nothing higher than 17c during the day and continued throughout May. The rest of this update and throughout June saw temps -4c to 4c overnight, with 11c to 15c during the day, a little wind at times but not much, rain at times and when it rained it was a lot, not wanting to be left out and most appreciated was the sun made an appearance here and there as well. The thermals are out and on, so keeping warm. Overall, no complaints from me. Especially the very little wind bit. I hate wind. I must admit though, Im looking forward to shorts and t-shirts again and I tell you that for free.

I remembered a couple of years back when in this area and around Holbrook, just north of Albury NSW that when the temps get to -0c and below, with Jack Frost around, the water in the hose from tap to van freezes leaving you with no water until usually around mid-morning. I started thinking of ways to hopefully stop that seeing I will be here in Nth East VIC through winter this year.

I remembered back many moons while watching Jack Absalom on the black and white TV, yes it wasnt always colour, and his 4x4 adventures while painting great pics as he went around OZ. The show did go to colour soon into the series so made it even better. He showed us what he does on those freezing mornings in the outback. He put a hessian bag over the engine at night, you know the ones, briquettes and similar came in them, Potatoes would also and many other things I should think. He would get up the next morning and car started first time. So that was what I did with the CVP tap and my filter system, covered with hessian bags but it left the hose uncovered, so what to do, thinking, thinking, thinking. Ahh! I know, I will thread the hose through pool noodles, foam things kids and some big kids play with to float in the pool etc. I did that and all done waiting for the freezing mornings to see if it all works.

But wait theres more. It left the final stage of the filtering system, my B.E.S.T. filter just before water enters the aluminium tent. I know! I had a spare silver windscreen shade screen in Collie so decided to double it up and wrap around the filter. Again, waiting, waiting, waiting. One thing is for sure, if someone trips over my hose, they are blind. You see the noodles are safety green and stand out like, well, a dogs crooked leg. What else did you think I was going to say? See attached pic.

Yeh I know, I hear you down the back, why do I use a filter system like I have, in a CVP? Well, you see, this place is on bore water, is why.

Update! As we speak, things are looking good, with no frozen hose during many below 0c overnight. The really bad mornings are still in front of us but so far so good.   

The CV19 was still with us and no relaxing of the rules in VIC. The other states relaxed theirs a little, early May but no, not VIC. We had to wait until mid-May before we were allowed to visit family or friends and even then, no staying overnight. You could drive 8 hours to visit even but not stay overnight, you had to go back home. Schools started to go back slowly, first Preps to grade 2 and 11 and 12 then on the 9^th June the rest of the grades went back. Still no cafes or similar allowed people to eat in, take away only.

During the last week of May I decided to have a Dougs Big Day Out and headed off to take a gander at some Silo Art I had seen on the local news; I love local news. Most of the day was in my car on my own so still social-distancing. So off I headed early one morning arriving at the first port of call at Colbinabbin, in between Rushworth and Elmore on the C345 Hwy, Nth Central VIC. These were only new to the silo art world and were having the finishing touch done to one silo even while I was there. Magnificent is about all I can say there.

As I arrived, I was shocked as to the amount of people there doing the same as me. The small carpark was full as was out on the street. Luckily, the viewing area had signs everywhere telling people to social distance and only a maximum of ten people at a time. Everyone there at the time I was were doing the right thing and you could see people counting and only going into the viewing area when they could and everyone again, were keeping well apart. Near the entrance of the carpark on the left was a small metal donation box. Yes, I did donate. Well worth the visit and I tell you that for free.

I left there and decided to go check out GreenS Lake, Nth Central VIC as it was on the way to my next destination. On arrival it was so sad to see the water level way down and I mean way down. I have seen it down before but never that far. It nearly bought a tear to the eye. No one was around as camping was still not allowed yet. It was only open to day visitors. It has opened up to camping since.

It was time to leave there so I headed to my next port of call, Silo Art at Rochester, about 30km south of Echuca on the B75, Northern Hwy, Nth Central VIC. There were two silos in this location at the back of the shops and beside the railway line. Again, all fenced off with a large viewing area and information boards about Rochester and the Silos. There was a Donation box next the opening to enter the viewing area. Yes, another donation given.

Those that follow my updates might remember me talking about Rochester before? It is not all that far form GreenS Lake. Those at GreenS would have Friday Fish and Chips. Yeh Thats the place! Now you remember, dont you? It was where we would go to get F&C. Unfortunately, that shop is closed down now and the windows all covered up with a sign saying it will open soon as a Bakery. What a shame, another small business bites the dust and a great F&C shop it was too. At least another small business will open though.

From Rochester I headed across to Kyabram, about 40 mins west of Shepparton where I had lunch sitting in the car then headed back to Base camp in Nth East VIC, arriving late afternoon after a great day out. I had briefly visited friends in Shepparton a week earlier while there getting a few things I was unable to get in Wangaratta so no visiting done. I was a bit tired though due to being in iso for so long I think, the body needs to get used to traveling around again, me thinks. 

Stop the press!!

June 1^st arrived on our doorsteps as did the first day of Winter, mmm, I thought that was already with us here in Nth East VIC, well at least in the mornings. What does 0c or less mean then? Another thing that happened and caused some excitement was, VIC had relaxed the CV19 rules a little to allow CVPs etc to open but not the shared facilities, only those with their own built in toots and showers could stay. Cafés and pubs etc were also allowed to open with limited guests and no standing at bars etc. You could only get a drink with a meal. Names and contact numbers were also taken of all who attended in case needed later down the track. At least that light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.

I have noticed when I go to the supermarket in Wangaratta, Nth East VIC that even in early May the roads were getting busier and busier, just as if nothing was wrong in the world. As for mid-May, well, they were just as busy as Xmas traffic and you would think you were in a major capital city. Wangaratta itself was getting hard to find parking even though a lot of the shops were still not open. There are a lot of people obviously dont think this virus thing is as bad as it is or they just dont care. Me, I do care and will not be travelling around the country side all that much for a while to come yet. I have decided to keep to myself and limit being around a lot of people. That said, I still intend to visit family and friends when I can and they can visit me but limit it. I have even decided to stay put here in Nth East VIC through Winter and probably until early 2021 at this stage.  That said, I am noticing when in town people are calling me Doug, so I must look like a local. Is it time to move on maybe? NOPE! It might also be something to do with the steel head gear I was presented with.

June 3 saw excavation equipment arrive in the park to start levelling all the drive though sites, which just happens to be most sites. The owners had a chat with me prior asking my thoughts on how a site should be set out. I suggested sites would be better reasonably level length ways but 100% level across the site and allow about 5mts in length and also for under the awning or for an annex. They have Astro turf for under awnings now that have seen better days and want to keep with Astro Turf on most sites with a few concrete slabs that are already on a few sites now. Keep in mind, I am only talking about the van spot itself, the site can be longer or wider. The park only has 22 power sites anyway. Heaps of unpowered areas for camping. This w..k (nope, still cant say it) was due a month ago but things dont happen quickly in this area. At least it was done by the long weekend. Luckily, the site I am on is pretty good anyway and under the awning will get done when I leave. I did offer to move while they sorted the site out.

June 6, 7 and 8 arrived and it was the Queens Birthday long weekend so a few happy campers arrived as did 2 different people in the cabins around the park. Most cabins were occupied with people working in the area. There is a lot of work being done on the railway line from Albury to Melbourne and two new Solar farms going in at Glenrowan. Unfortunately for the park owners they had to keep the amenities block and camp kitchen closed and roped off so only self-contained allowed in the park. It ended up only 3 happy campers and they were all together. So, at the end of the day, it was reasonably quiet. Well apart from 10 kids between to three sites. They could have been a lot worse. By midday Monday the park was back to just one van and myself plus the workers.

The month moved along and 22^nd June arrived on the scene with a major change in CV19 rules for CVPs or similar. They were allowed to open the shared amenities blocks etc. Fully self-contained vans started arriving about a week prior to this as they started moving North. Speaking with a few people as they stayed overnight, at safe distance of course, they intend hanging around NTH NSW until the QLD/NSW border opens.  I have noticed a lot more caravans on the road now, in fact, heaps. The other day I called into a big service centre around the corner to check tyre pressures on the Collie and there were 12 vans parked in the truck bays, bugga the trucks. Not good though for the trucks, where do they park if need be?

From there I headed to Benalla, still nth east VIC and just down the road and counted 20 vans on the Hume freeway, all heading in a northerly direction. Im glad I have decided to stay put and not add to the mess that will more than likely be on the move even more after the northern border opens. I also hope everyone of them drive safely and to conditions and no major accidents happen. When I was heading back to the aluminium tent, I was cruising along at 100km in a 110kmh zone and this old ford sedan towing what looked like a 20ft van flew past me at a speed that would be classed as low flying Im sure. As he came back in front of me, he took off with the van fishtailing along. Obviously, the van was too big for the car and both were obviously overloaded so only hope nothing happened further up the road. I keep my distance in those situations. 

Also, and as well even, during the time of people starting to move around again I had some visitors arrive in their vans for a night or two. First Roger, a fellow GN arrived and was set up next to me when I got back from being down the shops, it was a surprise visit that the office knew about but didnt say anything to me, he stayed two nights and we had a good old catch up at safe distancing. Next George, a friend I worked with many moons ago and keep in contact with arrived from Finlay central south NSW where he had been staying with family. He was on his way to East Gippsland. He stayed for a night and we had a good old chat at safe distance. He left before the birds were awake next morning. No shaking of hands took place just the verbal hello and goodbyes. This seems to be normal now. Thanks heaps Roger and George for calling in to say hi. WOW! Visitors, real people! Not just someone on the other end of a phone.  

Stop the press! As this update comes to a close the CV19 has really got bad in Melbourne with way too many new cases and it looks like that second wave feared might even end up being a tidal wave. I had made plans to visit my daughter and two grandsons in an outer south suburb of Melbourne but cancelled it till things improve. It didnt take long for the VIC Premier to bring back some major changes and closed down 10 postcodes in the Nth and Nth west suburbs mainly, according to the news we get here. Back to level three rules as of midnight tonight 1/7/20. It will be looked at again in four weeks.

Stop the press again! Will I ever get this update finished? QLD has just announced the QLD/NSW border will open at the end of this week BUT not to people from VIC. That really comes as no surprise.

Well, on that point I will say goodbye for now so until next we chat,

Keep Safe on the roads and out there everyone.

Some pics below as usual.