Day 1 – September 21 2013. Home to Irymple

Well the day got off to an early start for everyone concerned,

·         Ro left Newborough to collect Reve from Morwell, then off to Drouin to Steve’s with whom they were travelling

·         Meg texted to say they were ready to leave home…OMG can this be true!!!

·         Janine (housesitting my place plus Snug n Aero) arrived next for the last minute instructions and to ensure Snug wasn’t too distressed by my departure. This is the first time Snug has actually been home when I’ve left, as she normally spends the time at Dad’s place, which didn’t happen this year.

·          Jack arrived with Kerri to drop off her and her stuff, quickly shoved into the car…as

·         Stef, Meg, Peyton and Milani arrive as we are sorting out the last of Kerri’s gear. Final pack and toilet stop

·         0820hours, we departed Moe to head for departure at Steve’s in Drouin

·         During this time, a text from Mary, Phil and Kate – who were ready to go but stuck in the driveway with a flat battery – RACV on the way. These guys were travelling separately, as they had to pick up Lach out Eltham way and visit friend in Inglewood

·         So after picking Steve and co up off the muddy driveway, they were in shock at the earliness of our arrival – 10 minutes prior to arranged time.

·         Final pack for Steve, Reve, Sarah and Ro

·         9.17 am we are on the way.

·         Eventually Mary, Phil and Kate were on they way, too collect Lach and two new batteries, which put them about 2 hours behind the rest of us.

·         Meanwhile Mary and Col & Greg and Rod left yesterday and are meeting us at Irymple tonight.

On our way bright and early, all good. Our first stop for coffee and breaky for some was the BP near Calder Raceway,

Poor selfie at Maccas

 then off to Marong to meet the final member of the trip – Dad at 12.25. This enabled a toilet break and back on the road. Some deliberation about lunch took place and we settled on Bridgewater.

Off after lunch again along the Calder, lots of very healthy looking grain crops, lots of little Towns with silos and railway sidings and not a lot else.

Toilet stop at Wycheproof, some more driver changes and a train line running down the centre of the main road.

Finally onto the last leg toward Irymple. Lovely sunny weather.

Along the way Meg has worked wonders and arranged a houseboat of some description to take us to the actual corner of Victoria and South Australia. This corner is in the middle of the river. Meg, Stef and Steve also managed to track down the owner of the private land on which the Victoria NSW corner is and we have permission to check that out tomorrow, so we tick off another 2 corners of the country.

As I sit in the passenger seat writing this, we came into a little bit of service…so checked Facebook only to learn that my sister Bronwyn and Mike have purchased a new place to live in South Melbourne, closer to both their work and a new school for Sam and Katie…it was their first auction and they got it…WOW!!!

Another interesting fact, we just passed Lake Tyrell (a salt lake) in the middle of nowhere really and we learnt that the soil around there is the closest thing on earth to that of Mars.

First fuel stop at Ouyen, so pretty good going today.

Ate or dropped off the last of the fruit at the fruit fly out of Mildura.

Lots of grand finals happening around the place, we have seen lots of balloons and streamers and players names and other messages of support along the way.

Thanks to Kerri driving I have the blog written and nearly ready to upload.

Must try and get some photos to post as well.

Arrived at Coachman Caravan Park, met the other guys and headed ‘just’ up the street to the pub for team, unfortunately it was a long walk to no avail…the inn was full. So take away pizza and fish chips, burgers did the trick.

Mary, Phil, Kate and Lach eventually arrived in the dark – poor buggers.

We celebrated Rod’s 54^th birthday with fruitcake and variously headed off to bed.

The Taj Mahal. Mary and Col brought the camper.

The guys assuming the pose. Rod, Steve, Stef, Col

Sarah, Dad, Greg

Mary, Milani and Dad waiting for Fish n Chips 

Peyton and Meg ...waiting for fish n chips

Stef with his brown paper bag. 

 Given the long walk to the pub with no tea, SOME of the group inquired at the bottle shop about travellers for the long walk home and were advised that it is legal if it is in a brown paper bag.

Ro with his brown bag

mmm Milani and Stef, one with a brown bag, snoozing while waiting for fish n chips

Reve, Sarah and Steve went the very impressive pizza option. Some accompanied by brown paper bag..NOT Reve of course!

Father and daughter with the pizza on the streets of Irymple...and brown paper bags.

The family shot

Back at camp eating.

Birthday cake for Rod.

Good onya Mary - candles AND a fruitcake.

The boys setting up their swags...off the ground.