Purnong to Murray Bridge

13th March,2011

Hi to all that are interested in the blog,

Berri:  Sunday morning and the town though small was still sleeping. We missed the Farmers markets as they were on Saturday. This is so like us.Huge distillery outside of town just before Bamera.

Bamera: Rain, Grapes and more Grapes. The rain so light but was refreshing as it has been quite hot.
Brown Murray water very where from the floods.Red cliffs and red soil, it must be good for the grapes red clay soil as they are in abundance everywhere. This is why Australia has so much wine.
Waikerie:  Small town chocolate factory [ we resisted] parked beside paddle steamer that is now a restaurant on the Murray river and had morning tea.The gang plank was under water from the floods. Picture will be sent when we can. Met a couple from Tullebudgera QLD. In the distance we can see the ranges and it is good to see different scenery as it has been flat for so long.

Swan Hill: village high on a hill looking over the Murray.We had to take a left turn and didn't see rangers again. Petrol, milkshake stop.

Nildottie:Another small village Orange cliff surrounds the small area. Potatoes and wine are grown here. Out in the never never.

Walker Flat Just passing

Purnong:One of the Murray's largest irrigation areas. Purnong is a major exporter of onions all over the world. [amazing we couldn't buy any on the side of the road anywhere] maybe for the better they would only take them when we pass over into Western Australia. Fruit Fly Zones are everywhere.

Bow Hill: Undulating land or up hill down dale. Picturesque but bare of trees and life. sad

Young husband: Our scenery has changed a little with the roads although straight are like a roller coaster, the land so bare and lifeless with no farming just bare.No sheep or cattle to be seen. Thinking about it we hadn't seen any cattle or sheep since we left Tumut.

Mannum:Mention cattle and sheep and blow me down here are some on the land.Beautiful country area 82km from Adelaide.Green and lush.

Murray Bridge: What a difference another hill can make beautiful area on the Murray.You can look across the land as far as the eye can see it is just beautiful.

14th March,2011.

Today we went sightseeing around the area and to the club for lunch. It has been a very relaxing day for both. Driving along this morning and following the scenic rout there was a police car parked on the side of the road. In South Australia you do 25 km in school zones. Anyway the police car followed us not for any reason and John must have been concerned and took the wrong road and we ended up on the freeway to Adelaide. I laughed [naturally] this is me remember. We travelled for awhile until we could back track. All well used the Navigator and we arrived back in town OK.
Off in the morning to Adelaide and this is exciting.

Since leaving Tumut we have seen one kangaroo small. one dead lizard and ostrich in a paddock plus the latest paddock of cows and sheep.

Hope everyone is as happy as we are and all are well love to all xxx