Rochester Vic, Feb 2024

Having spent time at home during the summer, through activities beyond our control, we managed to squeeze in a relaxing week away to gaze at someone else’s scenery. The town of Rochester suffered devastating floods 14 months ago and when we tried to book into this park in January they were nervously watching rising water levels again. This time however the river behaved and the weather was perfect.

Day 1 Saturday 17/2/2024 Home to Rochester, light cloud 19˚ (Rochester sunny 34˚)

There’s light traffic as we take the Monash Freeway through the city and up the Western Ring Rd. As we veer onto the M1 a big grey kangaroo is lazing behind the boundary fence, no doubt taking in the city views.

We peel off the highway and go up through Kilmore. By the time we reach Tooborac the GPS finally realises which way we are going and suddenly drops 100kms off the remaining distance calculation. I’m glad we didn’t take her chosen route.

In Rochester, we grab a hot chook from the IGA and wander over to the bakery, where we are grateful to get the 2^nd last loaf baked today. It feels so good to be on the road again, even if we are feeling a bit flat from a pesky virus.

At the Rochester Riverside Caravan Park* we’ve got a nice concrete slab site surrounded by grassy lawns and close to the Campaspe River.

The fresh bread and warm chicken makes for delicious sandwiches with lashings of mayonnaise and crispy lettuce. Unable to sit still Woody walks into town to buy more butter which is actually an excuse to check the temperature of the beer at the Criterion Hotel. I find a cool shady spot on the riverbank to sketch the old iron water tower. Hundreds of corellas wheel and screech overhead.

Happy hour equates to half dozing on the riverbank as it is cooler than under our north-facing awning. Dinner is a chicken risotto and a salad.

Gee, I’ve missed country TV ads these past few months. That chirpy young woman who sells tin sheds, and tonight we learn that sheep get arthritis. Oh, and there’s a nasal spray for cows. I wonder if that would knock our virus?

Accom: $42.00

Fuel: $50.00

Towing Kms: 244Kms

*This is an excellent caravan park, with well-maintained lawns, large concrete slabs, a modern amenities block, and a well-appointed, air-conditioned camp kitchen that has a large deck overlooking the river. Although it is only just across the river from town the park is very quiet.