Days End
We left Ettamogah at what we thought would be an early start but over slept and left at 10 toward Echuca and wouldn’t you know more roadworks. We had not been to Echuca in 9 years as the last time was with good friends Dave and Shaz (visited the bakery Shaz no neenish tarts). Did the walk around and found it to be very different from last visit as flood waters had significantly damaged the foreshore area so there was no access while the repairs are underway, and a visitor centre was now in place instead of a walk along the steam engines and old machinery. If you want to see them it $14 per adult but it also shares some of the rich heritage of the Murray River.
Later that day after checking in to the local caravan park as they had a super special on an ensuite site we sat down for a cuppa we could hear the steam whistles of the paddle steamers as they made their way up the river and the constant drumming of the paddles churning up the water. Just when it couldn’t get any more peaceful a flock of cockatoos came for a visit. I am not sure what it is with these majestic birds but they must all be deaf. They stand next to each other and scream their heads off and to me it sounds like the same thing over and over again, surely it should drive them nuts - or maybe it has. Todays list of those we met was 3 couples from the Sunshine Coast and 2 from Bundaberg, with one of the gentlemen Lenny working for a company tied to the one I used to work for. There is a strong chance that I helped build the train he used to be a guard on. It certainly is a small world, but it makes us think of home and family as they are incredible people and we love them dearly. In the morning we packup and decide which way we go from here, to the Barossa via Mildura or the Great Ocean Road. For sure it is a tough choice but we will let you know.