Lake Bonney and Clare SA

Days 73 to 81! Time is going quickly. We are now in South Australia.

BT 50 and caravan combo!

We travelled from Swan Hill to Mildura after checking if the van leaked. Stayed there overnight and then continued on to Barmera SA (near Renmark and still on the Murray)! We stayed at Lake Bonney Caravan Park for 4 days. While here the sun didn’t come up till 7!!! That’s why I was able to photograph the sunrise!!!!!

Sunrise at Lake Bonney Caravan Park

We played in a Par 3 comp at Berri. It was their ‘winter’ opening day and they changed the back 9 holes to all par 3s. It was fun to play and Sheena won the challenge match so the score is now Peter 11 Sheena 8.

On the road from Barmera to Berri we past the Berri Estates winery.  This is the largest winery in Australia.  Wine is fermented in the ‘silos’ that you see in this photo.

Berri Winery

Guess what!!!!!!! While in Berri the CAR broke down – we could not get it into 1st or reverse. The SA equivalent of the NRMA were called. Basically it was undriveable. We were across the road from Mazda in Berri – it was open and the owner was there! He gave us a loan car – it was a long weekend in SA so we did not find out what the problem was until Tue! The problem with the car was that a bolt in the gear selection mechanism had worked its way loose and then come off! It was a problem that should have been rectified in a recall BEFORE we owned the car! Anyway -it got fixed. The Mazda dealership in Berri were fantastic (lent us a car), as were the Premium Care people from NRMA.

Over the long weekend we went to the Banrock Station winery for lunch. Great outlook. They have a wetlands area there that was in its ‘dry’ phase. Apparently this is a necessary cycle for the flora and fauna of the wetlands area.

View of the wetlands area at Banrock Station

We attempted to fish at Lake Bonney BUT there were lots of carp and not much else. The long weekend crowd left the ones they caught dead on the bank (carp cannot be put back in the water, they have to be killed) – which stunk the area until they were buried.

We also played golf at Renmark – lovely course and we drew the match so result is still Peter 11 Sheena 8

Peter at Renmark Golf Course

We then traveled from Barmera to Clare (in the Clare Valley of course!) (MORE grape vines).

Clare Valley Grapes grapes and more grapes

We had a bit of a hiccup on the way, the car appeared to lose its power for the middle portion of the trip. Sheena went in to Mazda at Clare – getting to be a habit – and they had a look at it. They didn’t find anything wrong -this gave us a bit of piece of mind.

It rained the night we arrived in Clare so the leak was tested out- it appears to be gone (we hope).

We did a scenic drive around the Clare Valley. Visited a couple of wineries (of course). There are heaps of historic buildings in this area. Lots are still in use. The Sevenhills winery was a standout. It is the oldest in the area – some of the grape vines are over 90 years old – and still in use. They are handpicked whilst the newer vines are harvested mechanically.

Historic church at the 150 year old Sevenhill Cellars

90 year old grape vines at Sevenhills Cellars

Of course we played golf at Clare Golf Course. It was quite hilly with lots of unsighted holes but we enjoyed the course. Sheena came out in front in this match, so result is now PETER 11 SHEENA 9

A Par 3 at Clare Golf Course (an almost vertical hole!)

We also went looking for a lookout that we later found was on a track for vigorous walkers only! Peter, with all his fake joints made it!

Peter trekking thru the bush!! (silently cursing Sheena)

View of some of the many grape vines in the Clare Valley

We also spent a day at Burra, a historic copper mining town. The whole town has been heritage listed. There are heaps of historic buildings thru the town. The highlight was the old mine complex. The town of Burra evolved around the diggings for copper (which was found in 1845). The facade of the town was used in the filming of Breaker Morant.

Pump house Burra SA

Open cut mine at Burra SA

The old jail was an interesting visit. It was erected in 1856 and it morphed into a girl’s reformatory in 1897. The wall outlining the ailments of the prisoners and the reasons for internment were interesting (and humerous).

Take note of the Gunns!!!!

Doctors list of 'ailments'

Old version of barbed wire at Burra jail SA

Another facinating place we visited was Glendalough Estate. As well as a winery they have the world’s largest solar water farm. They have solar panels that are direct solar desalination units. Apparently they have lots of contracts overseas in many poor areas of the world (including on the Ganges changing its water into drinkable water!!!) but no interest from Australian government. Typical – a ground breaking process that is going offshore – and could be used in many remote communities in Australia.

Grapes and Solar panels that change poor water into pure

The Clare Valley area reminds me of the Hunter Valley – lots of boutique wineries to visit.

Swan Hill – Mildura – Swan Hill!!!

Things you see on the road!

We have been on the road for 59 days!!!

We travelled to Swan Hill. The GPS in car got us a bit lost – led us to a dirt road. Confusing!!! We had the air con looked at. Busted! What a time to happen! Temp was 39 max! We had numerous swims in the park pool – getting to be a habit to cool us down.

Golf is again on the agenda, with Japanese for dinner to follow! Predicted to be very hot! (with no AC!!!!)

Murray Downs Golf Course - one of the best we have played!!!! Peter won!

Murray Downs – great golf course! Probably the best we have played so far. Undulating fairways AND greens. Lots of bunkers including many in the fairways. The shape of the bunkers made lots of holes very picturesque. Water featured on quite a few of the holes as well. Peter played very well and had 40 points which won the comp. I started badly but finished with 20 points on the back nine. Peter has now won 9 in a row!! He is playing better golf than he has for ages! What a time for this to happen!

We spent another hot night with no AC!

Tooleybuc Golf Club - Peter won AGAIN!!

Went for a drive to Toolebuc and played the lovely little 9 hole course. It is on the Murray River.
Peter won AGAIN!!! We both played ok. Golf is now Peter 10 Sheena 7!!!!!

We stopped at a winery on the way! Of course!! Andrew Peace Winery – they export the majority of their wines. Over 400? million litres a year.

Andrew Peace Winery - all those white tanks are full of wine!! One of Australia's biggest exporters.

While at Swan Hill we had a new Air Conditioner put in!!!!! Wonderful. Got an Ibis which is better quality than the one we had that karked it. AND quieter.
We had lunch at Spoons Riverside Restaurant on the Murray. Lovely! Kangaroo Burger AND Yabby Pizza. Check out tne mirrors in the change rooms. The CARP in the river were very visible – it is sad how they have thrived in this river system – to the detriment of the natives.

Spoons Riverside Restaurant - on the Murray

Spoons Riverside Restaurant Mirror in the Ladies - look closely!!

Spoons Riverside Restaurant Mirror in the Mens - look closely!!

We had to move the van to get the AC put on. When we moved the van back to our site the shower tap was accidentally turned on unbeknownst to us! When we attached the water it let out water – we didn’t realise it was happening! Water poured out the back of the van and flooded the interior! By the time we were aware of the problem water was all thru the back of the van, including under the bed! 2 hours later, and lots of washing loads of soaked towels, things are almost back to normal. Did I say the AC is great!!!

The weather then took a turn for the worse. Much cooler with impending rain – we were very lucky getting the AC put in.

We moved on to Mildura – travelled there in the rain and set up the van in the rain! We tried out the heater in our new AC!! It worked great!

Mildura - view from the caravan. RAINING!!

We woke up to Peter’s pillow wet! Somehow water getting in through the window on Peter’s side. Problem solved during the day. Not sure?

Peter went to the doctor about his toe. Has been a problem since our first visit to Echuca when he stubbed his toe. Doctor sent him for xrays. Back to the doctor in the afternoon. Broken toe!!! Has to tape up and not walk much.

On Sheena’s birthday we played golf at Merbein – Peter won convincingly. Sheena not playing very well. Score is now Peter 11 Sheena 7!!!!!

Merbein Golf Course - Peter won AGAIN!

It continued raining but no flooding like in other parts of Victoria and NSW! We woke AGAIN to wet pillows -Sheena’s side as well. The window is leaking and we cannot work out WHY!

The next day – No rain! The leak in the window is minimal now. We went to markets at Red Cliffs. Nothing much there, however did some sightseeing in the area – Big Lizzy takes pride of place at the end of the main street.

Big Lizzie at Red Cliffs. Use to clear the Mallee!!! Huge!

Big Lizzie Info

We then went to look at the Red Cliffs on the Murray – this is how Red Cliffs got its name.

Red Cliffs - this is where Red Cliffs got its name!

On the way home I encouraged Peter to go looking for the Psyche Bend Pump Station. A steam driven pump that has been restored. Down a very muddy road we found it – closed! Car got a clean ASAP as getting its first service the next day.

Psyche Bend Pump Station - Mildura.

Road to the Psyche Bend Pump Station - it was closed!!!

Dirty Car - and the Pump Station was closed!!

We came home to do some washing as it was not raining AND found 1″ of water in the cupboard above the washing machine!!! So much for our little leak. Now we are totally bamboozled. We went to see the Gumbo Theatre Group – part of the Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival. They are a Japanese theatre group. Had a great night with Peter ending up on stage (as you can see in the photo)

Peter on stage - great show!!!!

We decided to go back to Swan Hill to see if the guys who did our AC can fix it (not sure if it was caused by putting the AC in?)

Lifting bridge at Swan Hill

The Murray River at Swan Hill

We hope it has been fixed – we are now on the road west again!!!!

Repairing the ?leak?

Sprinkler on the roof!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cobram-Barooga, Echuca and Barham

Days 47 to 58!!!!!

We travelled to Cobram Barooga Golf Resort.
At Cobram we had lunch at The Beach Cafe at Thompsons Beach! Just like being on the coast!

Thompsons Beach Cobram

The Beach Cafe!!

We also went fishing at Wattle Tree Beach (on the Murray).
Peter now calls Sheena Madam Carp (Sheena caught 2!!!!)

Rerigging on the Murray (at Cobram)

The changing landscape on the Murray

This is how fishing is done!

We played 2 games of golf at Cobram Barooga. We played both the Old and West courses – lovely to play.  Each hole is individual -lots of doglegs.
Sheena didn’t play well!  Pete did most of the time and consequently won convincingly both games.
Golf result after these games! Sheena 7 Peter 6

The Winning Putt on the Old Course

At Echuca (for the second time!) stayed at a caravan park with a great location – right on the Murray.

Peter with 'a family of friends' at campsite. River Murray behind.

Had numerous swims in the pool – great!
Pete attempted to fish – got rid of all the worms.

Went for a kayak up the Murray -no fish caught but a great pedal/paddle.

We are 1716km from the mouth of the Murray!

Feral goat on the Murray.

Kayaking!!

Rich River golfing

Played Golf at Rich River in the comp. Peter had 41 points and I had 34. Peter was runner-up in the comp!  Golf score is now 7 apiece.
We played the East Course.  Thoroughly enjoyed it.  Pot bunkers appear on a few of the holes.  Sheena discovered some but Peter only went in 1 bunker all day!!!

Torrumbarry Weir on the Murray downstream from Echuca

The 'fish ladder' at the Torrumbarry Weir

We went to Torrumbarry Weir on the Murray. The history about the building of both the old and new weirs was fascinating. The use of ‘fish ladders’ to allow fish to swim upstream past the weir is ingenious.

Morrisons Winery Echuca

Friendly wildlife at Morrisons Winery

Had Brunch at Morrisons Winery. YUMMY! On the Murray River – great setting! Lots of wildlife around and we purchased 3 Litres of a lovely Muscat. You put it in the freezer and have as a “slushy”.

The BT 50!

Got a new car!!,!! A Mazda BT 50. We were having some issues with the Pathfinder.

Moved on to Barham. The car went great.  Hot at Barham with not a lot to do other than golf!!

Played Barham Golf Course.

Sheena hitting 'over' the "Gallipoli" bunker at Barham. Parred the hole!!!

The 'Gallipoli' bunker in perspective. That is Peter just above it!!!

Great holes!  Enjoyed the game even though Sheena got convincingly beaten by Peter.  Similar score to the way Jason Day got beaten this morning by John Senden!  It was hot playing.
Golf result is now Peter 8 Sheena 7!!!!!!!!!  Sheena had better start getting her act together.

Moving on to Swan Hill – still on the Murray.

Cohuna and Yarrawonga-Lake Mulwala

Cohuna (The golf course here is the one Stuart Appleby grew up on)
Very hot here.
Caravan site is great – on the water.

Sunrise at Cohuna

Pete attempted to fish – no luck.
The second day here was not as hot as the day before. Washing day + golf?  Played Cohuna – blew a gale!  But the day was much cooler so the golf game was enjoyable. Peter had +4 and won the mens comp. Sheena had square and won the ladies comp!!!!

Winners are grinners!

Golf result is now Sheena 7 Peter 3

We then travelled to Lake Mulwala.

Lake Mulwala

At a caravan park on the lake. Great views.

View from our caravan

Sheena hurt her hand while taking the stabiliser bars off. Very very painful – but it ended up not too bad to play golf later in the week!
This is a great location!!!!   We decided to stay here a week.

Sunrise from our caravan at Lake Mulwala

As we are right on the lake we kayaked and fished. (no luck with the fishing!)

Fishing - the weir is behind.

It is also flat so we did a couple of bike rides.
We did a fishing charter down the  river near the weir.

Fishing on the Murray!!

I didn’t catch anything and Peter caught a cod trout (protected species – so he threw back).

Sunset over the weir on the Murray

Golf at Yarrawonga.
Great golf course – played the Murray Course, designed by Peter Thomson.

The first hole!

Bunkers not that good.
Pete had 34 and Sheena had 27. Pete also won the putting comp before the game.
Games are now Sheena 7 Peter 4.

At the end of the week while packing up, Peter, in attempting to get the correct leverage to remove a difficult tent peg, BROKE Norma’s hammer!!!!

Nanna's hammer!!!

All in all – a great week!

Echuca

Skipped to Echuca as Will is playing at Rich River in a Trainee 4 round tournament.
The scenery on the way was ever changing. Lots of fruit in some areas, with cows/sheep in others. Not as many wineries but they still appear occasionally.
After the heat of Howlong we were very lucky with the week at Echuca – cooler. (It rained on the first day!). Very lucky for Will who was expecting HOT weather that didn’t eventuate.
We did an ‘Eco Cruise’ up the Murray (through ‘The Narrows’). Murray moves at 8km/h here because of the narrow width (normally moves at 4km/h). Learned that trees in the river are a positive thing – they are actually ADDING them in this area – it helps the river become more healthy!

Trees in river at "The Narrows"

Paddlesteamers at Echuca

The Port precinct Echuca

Walked around the Port precinct. Great! Did some wine and port tasting -delicious. Bought white port and fudge. Loved ALL the wines !

The Murray River near campsite (notice the 10ft drop to river!)

This is the life!!!

At caravan park went for a fish on the Murray. Pete caught his first ever Murray Cod!! Catch and release as it was around 50+cm long. Needed to be 60cm. But Pete VERY happy.

First ever Murray Cod!!!!!!!!

It was great to see Will. This was a 4 round tournament – he missed the cut due to 82 to start BUT then had 1 over, even, even to be equal 2nd in the sweepstakes – took home some $.

Will at Rich River

Howlong

Spent a week here.
As usual there was golfing, an attempt at fishing and lots of wine tasting with some cheese, olives, mustard, pies and chocolates thrown in. There was an attempt at bushwalking (against Peter’s better judgement due to slippery nature of the track) in the upper reaches of the Murray. We headed off looking for a waterfall that ended up being ‘invisible’ – not enough water.

The 'invisible' waterfall!

The only bushwalking Peter likes is amongst the trees next to the fairways – something he is only too familiar with!

Hume Weir (holds 5 times water of Sydney Harbour)

Hume Dam (on the NSW end of the Murray)

Fishing on the Murray - no luck!

The weather was hot – no thunderstorms or hail here!!!!
Pete won both rounds of golf. At Corowa we both played ok. At Howlong Peter was runnerup A grade with 41 points, and Sheena won the ladies comp with 36.
Golf score is still a little lopsided in Sheena’s favour.

Rutherford winery

Peter at Howlong - 41 points!

Upper reaches of Murray - Scout Hut