Mildura

Limping into town we headed straight to the vacant block Jason and Leah had organized (Leah's fathers).

Unpacked Tim found somewhere to get a metal sleeve made to repair the breakage. We had a shop at Bunning's, (our windows in the bus are getting pretty dirty)!! We then put the boat in, had a swim and then a spin up the river. The Murray River here is huge, very wide with plenty of water flowing, with the weir just on the West side of the town this seems to add to the enormity with the water backing up.

Our camp site is perfect, a 2 acre block right on the river where we can leave the boat in, watch people ski past, the roaring of the speed boats practicing for the Mildura 100 at Easter (skiing for 100km) along with the birds and wildlife what more could we ask for.

Day 2 Tim picked up the bus part at 10am and spent some hot and cramped hours under the bus. Big effort, fivers crossed it will get us to TP. A well earnt swim, and ski in the afternoon.

Friday after a bit of schooling we drove to the Port Cafe and had a coffee while the kids fed and attempted to catch the carp. Archie stopped using the hand net when he felt it might not have been the correct thing to be doing. Tim and Archie had a quick fish while Lotte and Fidge went to the supermarket.

On the return the boys were very excited as they had caught an undersize "Murray Cod"- how cool, that was one for our bucket list. Latter to find out (luckily only after telling a few people) it was not a MC but a 35cm Perch. How funny. We latter went to Craig's home to have a swim where we met Allana and Darby(10 months). What a fantastic home, with a huge shed along with all the toys, pool, chickens, veg garden and a fantastic outdoor entertaining area set on a creek with plenty of water we ended staying for dinner. Some more lovely hospitable people that we have met on our travels. We set some yabbie traps to try our luck on same samples for dinner the next night.

Saturday excited to see if we had any yabbies we headed around to Craig's to check the nets. With a nice catch we had a feed and some to use as bait. Another afternoon on the Murray River fishing skiing and swimming. On our return we had visitors Craig and family, we sat around our bus on edge of the Murray River. The girls went home while we all enjoyed a feed of yabbies, peeling them like prawns it was a very nice soft but firm meat, all in agreeance better teasing than prawns. Tim and the boys then went to the GolGol pub -home at 1.30am.

Sunday a slow day as to be expected, with Tim a little hang over and both of us with an upset stomach these two days were pretty slow. We headed to the Redcliff markets unfortunately we didn't need any fruit or veg, meat or jam otherwise pretty average markets, we also thought the clientele were maybe a little different. The tourist drive was signed down one-way streets but we got around and then ready to head back to the bus. Craig arrived and took Tim, Lotte and Archie for a ride in his buggy to a watermelon farm where they returned with 4 beautiful watermelons. Archie "the best watermelon he has ever eaten". With a juicy, red center and great taste with exception to some seeds they were pretty good. The day ending with a quick swim and wash in the Murray River.

Monday our last day that had arrived all too soon was spent with a few hours of school before doing a quick run into town. After lunch was a boat drive to Redcliff via the river, giving us a true indication why it is called Redcliff with the steep red/ orange cliffs that edged the Murray River. The cliffs around 20-25 m high were spectacular to look at with the vibrant colour of the cliffs and the opposite side white sand and gum trees. With a some more swimming and Archie having another boggie board, this time standing up for a while. Great effort.

Tuesday- goodbye Mildura and the Murray River, sad to say goodbye but with all 4 of us thinking it could be somewhere we could live, maybe we will return one day. Oofff big call!!!