HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Finally, 2020 is in the history books. Lets hope that 2021 is a much better year. It's hard to be positive though as things are not looking all that good with China and Sydney are still having problems with CV19. Even Melbourne had new cases only yesterday, breaking a 2-month respite from any new cases. As off 5.00pm yesterday mandatory masks were back on indoors when away from home and as of midnight tonight, 1/1/21 the NSW/VIC border closes yet again but this time it is NSW not allowed in VIC. This was all only announced early afternoon yesterday so quick work indeed. I really feel for the businesses on the boarder. Fireworks cancelled New Years Eve in most places but Sydney still went ahead with theirs but no people and still very limited people in many places. So, it is sure is hard to be positive just yet.

Enough already!

That aside, its that time again and another two months done and dusted so sit back with a snack or drink or both and read away about my happenings. If you dare!

G'day and welcome to my Bi Monthly Update #5 covering November and December 2020.

November started with a fake long week end. I say Fake because the Tuesday was Melbourne Cup public Holiday here in VIC and a lot of people take the Monday off as well, turning it into a four-day long weekend even though no one could be at the race track. I tuned in on the Televish to watch the cup race but it was sad to see no one track side. Most sporting events have been the same.

November also saw me still in North East VIC keeping an eye on how things pan out with CV19. Speaking of that, the 9^th November saw Greater Melbourne take the padlock away as well as the 25km radius rule. Things all over VIC are starting to look a little bit like, dare I say, normal, well, nearly normal anyway. Going into shops and walking around places you would think nothing had never happened regarding CV19. The only give away are people still have masks on in shops etc and I even notice a few walking around outside with masks on. Me, I use inside shops etc but not outside. I was finding it hard to breath after a short time so as soon as I am out of shops etc off it comes. A clean mask is always with me though and a supply of washable masks in car. I have been working with 7 masks so get down to 2 left and wash the 5 used ones.

I also visited my favourite Craft Brewery, Bridge Road Brewery in Beechworth, Nth East VIC and participated in one of their award-winning Pale Ales and I couldn't leave without my favorite Roast Duck Pizza, my treats for the month. Yes, I did come back to the Aluminium Tent armed with some Pale Ales for future reference and research purposes.

How plans can change in my life style. I had headed to Wangaratta one day for a few things but on the way there, made a quick and safe right turn and headed to the hills. King Valley area to be precise. Why? Just because I could I spose. Anyway, I was driving along and noticed a sign saying Edi Cutting Camping Ground next left, so me being me, decided to take a peek. What a lovely area this is but no doubt gets very, very, busy come summer and holiday season. There were a few people throughout the area but at the time I was there still heaps of room. No power or water so you have to be fully self-contained but the King River is at your back door literally and nice clean running water it is too so no reason a bucket of water cant be used to have a wash and clean dishes etc. You probably could even boil or filter and drink it. The only thing I was a bit concerned about, well, a lot really was, camp fires are allowed. The area is in a heavy bush setting and devastating fires raged through very close early in 2020. I can also imagine all the smoke around the camp area with all those camp fires. Very off putting for me sadly as cant be around smoke if I can at all avoid it. Still, a great place and continued on exploring the magnificent area around King Valley. Any wonder I have grown to love North East VIC. I called into Wangaratta on way back and got what I actually went out for then back to aluminium tent. A good outing had.

Onward James

Weather for November saw lots of rain again with strong winds, something, luckily, hasn't been around much, some winds were even gale force, the ones I really worry about. You see, wind and I are not good friends. As with Hail, I am not of fan of that either. Temps ranged from 8c-18c overnight and 20c-45c during the days, yep you read that right, 45c, only one day but still 45c it was. Bloody hot is all I can say that day. The aircon in the aluminium tent got a work out that day and I tell you that for free.  

Disaster!

I got up next morning after that 45c day I told you about, opened fridge door that I hadn't opened since ' time the day before to get something out for breaky and it was hot. I checked freezer and everything had thawed out and things down bottom in fridge all hot. Everything ruined! Bugga! I reckon the 240v element has gone to God. I tried lighting the gas but no go. I hadn't run it on gas since back in March 2020 so let the gas run through the system by pushing the flow button then resting it. I did this for about 15 minutes but still no go. I did finally get it going but took all day during another hot day to cool down enough to use. It was all nice and cold the next morning. Now to restock a few things.

I went and saw a local caravan repair place and they agreed more than likely the element but couldn't even look at it before February. I rang another place and same thing, fully booked this side of Xmas. Oh well! I will just run on gas until sorted. The fridge actually performs best on gas anyway.

The shade screen I have for down that side of van went up very quickly indeed while waiting for the fridge to get cold.

The thing that annoyed me the most was I had only a few days earlier made heaps of home-made sausage rolls and were in the freezer. I only got one meal and the bin had the rest. I didn't want to risk food poisoning from them going hot in the fridge for so long.

I couldn't even put anything in the two camp kitchen fridges as all the back-packer workers camped around the place had all their stuff filling both fridges. Oh well.

It looks like not only the awning roller and vinyl I need to get replaced but now the fridge needs money spent on it. Its never ending even out here in the playground. Not only those but as well even the Collie still needs to get the running hotter problem sorted. I hope to have the three things sorted by mid-March.

Still December is another month and that being said brings November to a close.

December arrived the day after November finished. True. It did.

I had some visitors to start the Month off too. My daughter and the three boys, one big being dad and two smaller, being my grandsons, came to stay for a few days. They had just got a new to them Camper Trailer and wanted to try it out so headed here because my daughter wanted to spend money here as the owners have looked after me during CV19 dramas.

After being held-up to get away from their home south of Melbourne they finally arrived late afternoon. Calling into a weighbridge on the Hume Highway at ' just north of Melbourne on the way due to me rabbiting on about weights etc to her and making sure things are legal and safe. All done and dusted and legal and safe. I hadn't seen any of them since Xmas 2019 so it was great to see all of them and spend a few days with them.

It was raining most of the day so they had to put their nice camper up for the first time in the rain. It sure does look in good nick for a second-hand camper though. A very good deal they got with that.

I took them all to a kids play area in Wangaratta that had a water park etc. We spent all afternoon there and even though it wasn't the warmest of days the grandsons had a great time stripping down to underwear and water blasting each other etc. The kids garden was equally popular but the bike track was a big disappointment as they didn't bring their bikes and they both go to a track at home. They did run around it though. We got back to camp and we were all buggered. A great day had with family. I hadn't seen them since Xmas 2019.

Mid December arrived and a mate from South Gippsland VIC called in and stayed a night near me in his van as he was heading to central NSW and family for Xmas. Thanks Jeff and as usual great to catch up.

Weather, yep, we had that too in December with night ranging 10c 18c overnight and 28c 40c during the days. Some humidity on a few days as well. Varied wind at times too.

Also, mid-December I paid another visit to Beechworth Brewery for one of those Roast Duck Pizzas. I got it to take away and heated it up in the Weber Q for dinner that night. Equally as nice as eating in. Oh, OK then, if I must, I researched a Pale Ale from there as well. Research showed, any wonder it is an award-winning Craft Beer.

The 25^th arrived and I spent Christmas day at base camp and actually enjoyed the quiet peaceful day. I did make myself a lovely lunch followed by a single serve Xmas Pudding with Vanilla Bean Ice-cream. Yummo is all I can say. The meal consisted of Pickled Pork, mash potato and pumpkin and peas. Leaving enough of the pork for a meal cold with salad one night and two lunches of cold pickled pork toasted sandwiches. Yummo as well. My traditional Xmas treats.

Christmas done and dusted, happy campers started arriving with vans and camper trailers in tow and even a few with tents. The busiest its been here all year really as fires were at the start of 2020 stopping many.

I must admit though, I am struggling a little getting used to having people around again and the noise in particular. This could happen anywhere though. It used to happen at GreenS Lake too but never bothered me or had that feeling so must be some sort of side effect due to lockdown I spose. Ill come good though as signs are there already. The ear plugs are getting a good workout at night and I tell you that for free.

Those that read these updates might remember back in Update #4, I spoke about the two Solar Farms being built nearby, well, one has just about finished and according to inside information it is just about ready to be commissioned. Massive is all I can say and very difficult to get a pic from the side of road to justify actually how big this place is. The other Solar Farm just down the road from it is going to be just as big and expected to be completed late March 2021. 

Yeh! December 31 arrived and 2020 came to an end and also the end to this update so until next we meet, who knows where I will be then though, still here or maybe even gone, time will tell.

Keep Safe everyone.

A few pics below as usual.