So we head across the border into Victoria towards Mildura which is quite a big town in Northern Victoria, a little too big for us so we aimed for a nice little town about 10 minutes north called Merbien. There we found a terrific little spot on the Murray which was called Merbein Common. Our first encounter with Merbein Common was with this fury little creature that decided it was imperative to get his twin brother out of the nasty little box that every car seems to carry around on them! He pecked as soon as we got there...
He pecked throughout the afternoon....
He pecked until dusk....
And he pecked first thing the next morning and on and on....
So we thought it was best that we be kind and save this little fella from getting brain damage and decided to move to another camp spot just a stone throw from this spot but far enough that he couldn't see us. We thought it funny some days later there were a couple of back packers camped at the same spot and our little friend was at it again. They said he did it from when they arrived until they left and came back again! Sorry to say I think he now has a small headache but that is nothing compared to being cooped up in a little box on the side of the car for the rest of your life!
This was the view from our new camp spot
Some of the beauty the Murray presents!
and more
We were sitting having a nice cup of "Aero Press" coffee when this guy came rowing up the river. We saw the name on the boat which was a web address
http://www.carpeyediem.com/
and decided to look it up and found an interesting story....
Carp
Eye Diem is a rowing challenge Dan O'Cker has set himself. He will
attempt to row the entire navigatable length of the Murray river, from
the Hume dam to Goolwa (2226km) in a boat he has built. Each night he
will camp on the river bank, all the while keeping his followers and
supporters updated via social media. All money raised will go directly to the microfinancing charity Kiva.
Dan
is a University of Adelaide student, studying media. Skills and
concepts learnt over his three years of study will be utilised to create
an engaging and entertaining voyage. Dan previously studied Photo
Imaging at Tafe SA and continues to develop his photography skills
shooting events for the Faculty of Arts at the University of Adelaide, for Spruce Quality Decks, and as a pastime.
When not studying or photographing, Dan works as a demolition labourer.
Dans other pastimes include surfing, kite-surfing, snowboarding, and
annoying his partners dog with a UAV.
The boat used is a Chester Yawl, originally by Chesapeake Light Craft, from Denman Marine.
It was chosen for its ease of construction, size, speed, and style.
Additionally a sliding seat unit will be installed to increase speed and
endurance.
It is estimated the journey could take up to two months. All funds raised will be donated to the microfinancing charity Kiva. Kiva microfinances entrepreneurs around the world. You can keep up to date on the voyage or contact Dan via facebook, and donate via GoFundMe.
We decided to take a afternoon drive to a place called Wentworth where the Darling River converges and becomes the Murray.
The picture below shows the two rivers converging
There are a series of locks on the length of the Murray which I am sure has been the topic of political debate on many occasion especially in times of drought.
Water is permitted to flow down the river
Some clever gardener came up with the idea that they could use the roof's of a couple of houses in the background and plant shrubs in a pattern that would make them look like houses! Pretty cool eh!
We head back down to take a look at Mildura and where I found myself in one of the most heavenly places on earth!
BUNNINGS
Thank you Mildura my day is complete!
Well almost complete!
Not before Karen made the best fruit cake on the PLANET!!
For those who would like to try it you won't be disappointed by this very simple recipe. And I say simple because this is off the top of my head.
*Soak 1kg of mixed dry fruit in 600ml of dry ginger ale and leave overnight
*The next day mix 2 cups of self raising flour to the fruit/dry ginger ale
*Place in baking tray and put in oven at 150 degrees for 90 mins
and
VOILA!!
foot note maybe check with Karen first before making that I have it right! :)
Ah what a lovely couple on the lookout at the Blandowski lookout at the Merbein Winery in Merbein
Now that's a lotta wine!
and with that temptation out of reach it was time to hit the road...
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