Day 10, Wednesday 15th Jan 2014 Porepunkah We have a quick walk to the deep swimming hole then drive into Myrtleford for a farewell breakfast at Cafe Fez. As T and C leave, we head off across the range to … Continue reading Delaying our return
Day 9, Tuesday 14th Jan 2014 Porepunkah Because the park is beside the Rail Trail we’re up at 6:30 and on our bikes heading to Bright 9kms away. The trail is excellent and tarred all the way but even that doesn’t make it easier for me as I’ve let my bicycle fitness drop since Barham. We have a big cooked brekkie at Beanz in Bright before pedalling and sweating our way back. It is the prettiest bike path as it criss-crosses the Avon River and small creeks. Around Bright, there are scores of quaint holiday cottages with luxuriant gardens. There’s … Continue reading A refreshing dip or two
Day 8, Monday 13th Jan 2014 Girgarre – Porepunkah Another hot night and we wake to the sounds of the galah nursery again. It’s time now to hitch up and meet T&C in the Ovens Valley. It’s a perfect morning for the drive through dairy farms, soft fruit orchards, and cow paddocks. We wash the dust off the van at a car wash in Wangaratta then drive over to Myrtleford in the Ovens Valey where we meet for lunch at our favourite local café, Cafe Fez. We amble off to the Porepunkah Big4 to find a very shady park only … Continue reading A change of pace and scenery, the Ovens Valley
Day 7, Sunday 12th Jan 2014 Girgarre We wake to the loud squawking of baby galahs in the gum tree beside us, noisy little critters. The town is packed with locals who have come to town to visit the market … Continue reading Girgarre Moosic Muster
Day 6, Saturday 11th Jan 2014 Elmore – Girgarre It was a warm night but the breeze through the van was pleasant, so we slept well. We drive about 40kms to Girgarre to find that the whole town (population 191) has been turned into a campground. We check-in at the town hall and pay our fee of $50 per head. This covers Friday dinner, which we have missed, Saturday dinner, Sunday cooked breakfast, all music, and music workshops. In all, it’s damned good value. There is only one post office store in town, oh, and a hardware store, but thankfully … Continue reading You can play uke
Day 5, Friday 10th Jan 2014 Elmore We wake to the screech of cockatoos and the smell of hot, dry bush. Which way is the river flowing? Who cares? It doesn’t matter. Emerald green willows are dipping in the water. … Continue reading Why not stay another day?
Day 4, Thursday 9th Jan 2014 St Arnaud – Elmore A warm morning and we have blown a fuse in the bathroom. Yesterday it was a fuse in the TV’s 12volt plug. With this new van these are all new … Continue reading Ayson’s Reserve
Day 3, Wednesday 8th Jan 2014 Moonambel – St Arnaud We wake to a warm clear summer morning. The town is tiny, there is a small pub and a general store. We really should have walked to the pub last … Continue reading Walking in their footsteps
Day 2, Tuesday 7th Jan 2014 Mt Franklin – Moonambel We walk up the dirt road to the rim of the crater to see the view. Sadly, it has been blocked out by the trees. But the walk through the pine forest gets our blood pumping and leaves us feeling ready to face the day. All the gadgets on the van worked well overnight making it the most luxurious night of free camping we’ve ever spent. Now the hot shower before breakfast just tops it off. But will I have to put up with Woody’s moans of ecstasy with every … Continue reading A hot shower and a flat
Day 1, Monday 6th Jan 2014 Melbourne – Mt Franklin We leave home in the afternoon heading into a fierce north-westerly wind. We anxiously tow the new van along Eastlink, the Monash, over the Westgate bridge, and onto the Western … Continue reading Goldfields to Ovens Valley – Mt Franklin
itchingforhitching 