Murray Bridge

14/3/2011

Lazy day. We went for a drive to view around the area. Driving along the scenic route a policeman was on the side of the road in a car and as we passed he followed us but not for any reason. John must have had a guilty feeling as he went the wrong way and we were on the expressway heading for Adelaide. Lucky we had the GPS with us and found our way back again without any fuss. We went to the club for lunch. It was good to have a day that we didn't have to do a lot.


15/3/2011

Murray Bridge to Hahndorf then onto ADELAIDE

Hahndorf is a small German village which is very quaint and has many shops to browse through. The houses in this area are on acreage and are very beautiful. The hills around are rolling hills and are very healthy. The area is green and very well maintained.
We have arrived at the caravan park to find that we are able to stay for five days and this is good news. We were only able to book for two days due to the INDY car races as they were all booked. It seems that their books need better keeping. They booked sites but when they were cancelled they didn't take them off the register. Great news for us as now we can have a good look at Adelaide.


16/3/2011

Today we went into the city by bus and had a good walk around. Adelaide city is only 10% of Sydney city.
And it is the only state that has a grid for the city streets. It is fantastic
We found our way around without any problems. Although we must have looked lost a few times we found the locals very friendly as they didn't hesitate in helping us find where we were going or looking for. One lady even ran down the street to tell us that she had given us the wrong directions.
Later in the day we found a display of the racing cars for the INDI and the girls that go with them. Tables were set up below the stage and the drivers were there to sign autographs etc.
I saw Craig Lowndes and said hi sand took his photo for a bit of fun.
Another day filled with sore feet but happy.


17/3/2011


Zoo day!.  Bus into city again and a walk along the gardens and bridge to the zoo along the Torrens River. Beautiful area. We saw Poppey the river boat that is so popular and well known.
Now the special treat is to see Wang Wang the Panda Bear. There are tow bears in separate areas. They are so cute but so bored and have only been there for a short time. The zoo is set out very well and have a good range of animals but they look bored in their surrounds and most are alone and that is a shame. I don't believe in zoo's like this anymore when you see the animals at Dubbo zoo they are so much better off.
I would recommend that all go to the zoo to see the animals and have their own opinion not mine.
When back in the city they have a toilet in the main street for use of all to use. When you go in the voice above tells you that you have 10mins and when you are finished and wash your hands the toilet flushes itself . Press the button and the toilet paper rolls out for you. Strange experience but they have thought of everything in this City.

Peek a boo my name is Wang Wang

I WANT TO GO HOME

He realy loves himself. So proud!

Glenelg Beach  very low tide and flat.

GLENELG BEACH

Transport is free buses, trains and they have a bus that goes onto train lines, now this will be an experience.

Guess Who

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

Now in South Australia

.Well it has been quite a job getting my blog to come up so l understand how frustrated everyone else .
Mildura for Renmark:

Great Southern Winery as far as you can see. On to Lake Cullurreraine, small town but huge in wine growing.

Yamba: Stopped for a cuppa but couldn't enjoy due to the flies.Had to spray ourselves with our favourite solutions, equal parts vinegar,baby oil and dettol. Flies don't like it.
Berri: Largest wine growing area and oranges in Australia.

WELCOME TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Fruit fly inspection station where they are checking all transport. Very strict. We gave them our Pumpkin, onions,Parsnip,Potatoes and cucumber.
Beautiful country town We are staying at Paringa just 5 Min's out of town. Also famous for its skinny bridge that you just fit across and it opens for house craft.[boats]
Not Open anymore, Big Orange,Angus Fruits and Paddle Steamer isn't running due to their 100th birthday celebrations in two weeks time.

Sorry no photo's this time due to loading difficulty and Internet.

Over the Border to Renmark

On the road again. Today we are heading to Renmark. We stopped for morning tea on the side of the road and were curious about the melons in the paddock. At first they looked like rocks or very large pebbles. After checking with binoculars they are definitely melons of a sort. We enquired at the next stop and found out they were no good for consumption, they grow wild.



Our first fruit fly checking station.





There is a large Dunlop tyre across the road. The checking station is in full attendance checking all.
We gave them our potatoes,pumpkin,onions,parsnip and cucumber. Now we have no fresh food left.
This is fine as now l don't have to cook tonight.




Arriving into Renmark we had to cross over this very narrow bridge and l mean narrow. It opens for boats to pass through on the Murray. We did a quick tour into town and to the Information centre. Sad news the areas we had mapped out to visit are no longer operating any more. That's fine less money spent.
The land driving in today is worked with many farms. It is an area for Oranges and Grapes. The largest in Australia.I am looking forward to going to a market to buy fruit and veg that we don't have to hand over because
fruit fly exclusions. Another day tomorrow just looking around town and watching the boats and water skeing at our front door on the beautiful full Murray River.

BIG LIZZIE

Big Lizzie remained in the Red Cliffs area from 1920-1924 at which time she was driven to Western Victoria to clear other areas of land.
In 1938 her Blackstone engine was sold to a company in Pyramid Hill who used it to run stone crushing equipment until 1942. It was

broken and sold as scrap in 1945.
In 1970 Cr Ern Wolfe discovered the location of Big Lizzie on a property at Balmoral, near Horsham.



The wheels made of steel had timber casings attached to help it move around.





This is where we are today. On the Murray River at Mildura.

Mildura

This the Wasp we caught on the CB aerial big.





Thought it would show up better on the post and have it face you. Bring it up close as it has beautiful colours.
Red Cliffs by name and this is why. They look like they are made from clay and sand. The town where they are is named Red Cliffs. da! The colours are so strong. This is only about 8 km from Mildura and they grow grapes everywhere and fruit. The soil has the red clay as well and it must produce a good strong crop for them to be so plentiful.



Now this shot l am proud of it looks terrific and would make a great picture.

Tumut Show

Love sheep this one is a beautiful winner.






Checking out the fleece

Here we are fitting in with the locals at the show
Name these chooks. Different!