Thursday 25th
August 2016
The day was a crisp blue sky day and the
town beckoned for an explore and a jog. I had not had time to exercise for days
so took the opportunity to have a quick gallop around town before I had to
prepare lunch, shower, clean up inside the van, get ready and go. As usual our
schedule was shot. We had hoped to leave earlier but there were so many things
to do that it was not as early as we had hoped.
The nice blue sky day quickly deteriated to
a gray, cold, miserable day. I discovered that firstly I had spilled coffee
from day 1 on my jeans. Those take away containers only leak when they know
they can stain whatever you are wearing. I had to wear my hiking pants. These
are thin so I also wore my thermals underneath. Dagy but cosy. When you hop out
of an off road caravan people expect to see people wearing outdoor gear.
Maybe I can blaze a fashion trend – outdoor
wear – instead of active wear!
Husband starts out driving for long enough
that he does not get too tired. Then I drive for the rest of the way – usually.
Now if you have not read the other blog –
TravellingGibson. Wordpress.com you won’t know that we invested in a heap of
kit before we set off on this adventure. Last time it was tyres, recovery gear,
puncture repair kits and a bunch of other stuff which cost a fortune – but we
have now and don’t have to buy again.
This time it was air bags for the back
shockers, new tyres – as they were due anyway and a few other things – still
amounting to an outlay and still, apart from tyres, won’t need to purchase
again.
However, we were not used to cruising down
the highway with extra shock absorbing -
not shockers- and this made the steering very light and a bit scary as it felt
like you were overcorrecting. Husband eventually over 3 wee stops and letting
out a little air out of the bags in the shockers at a time got it right – well
better.
Back to the grey, cold, miserable day, we
were headed from Tocumwal to Mildura.
It rained. Drizzled and occasionally
poured.
We decided that he weather was too rubbish
– again, and getting too dark to sus out another free camp so we camped at our
favorite caravan park in Buronga which is just the other side of the Murray.
Seems to be a bi-yearly trip for us.
Nice flat sites, we even got a cement slab
so saves carting the sand from the outside, in the van (still came in anyway –
just less volume).
We decided to splash out and have dinner at
a restaurant.
We caught a cab. Nice cab drivers in
Mildura. It was very cold. Knowing that the restaurant would be warm makes wardrobe
– particularly camping wardrobe tricky. It isn’t like you have all the choices
you would have had at home. Nobody caters for a spontaneous dinner in the low
degrees. Luckily I found respectable jeans, top, a scarf, coat and makeup.
Hooray.
We went to a steakhouse restaurant which is
attached to a motel. The same couple run both – extremely hard workers who much
work 12 hour days. Lovely people too. We were surprised that they were so busy
and we needed to book.
Our meal was delayed from a minor chef
stuffup but whilst it was we had a lovely chat to the manager so we gleaned
much information about the area around Burra. We don’t have enough time to go
there this trip but are considering going there for another trip. There is so
much to see. Historic buildings, mining tours. Wineries. All sorts of things.
We have been through there before on our Oodnadatta trip but didn’t stay long
as it was freezing and pouring rain.
Next trip maybe.
We caught another taxi home with an
extremely friendly driver and had a great yarn all the way.
So far all we have been doing is driving
with the exception of rellies and stone guards. Tomorrow holds another big
travelling day. I can’t wait until we can start the real holiday – when we get
off road, let the tyres down and begin the real adventure. Us, the weather,
luck and good fortune…
Bring it on.
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