Christmas Holiday 2019

December 2019 - January 2020
A 16-day adventure by JulieReganAdventures Read more
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  • Day 14

    Wagga to Shepparton

    January 3, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Once again we woke to bushfire smoke. Temperature was forecast to hit 39 right through our trip today. Had a 300km trip staying off the main highway and the predicted traffic due to holidaymakers heading home earlier.

    Heading west was a good move away from smoke and traffic. Went through small towns which feed the local areas. Wherever we went the bush flies were with us. We spend most of our time doing the “Aussie wave” trying to shoo them away. They are really persistent and have little respect for us trying to swat them. I now realise that corks on hats are a brilliant idea but we would probably get laughed out of town if we wore them. Julie had another drive along a very narrow and isolated road. These back roads really tested the suspension and us. It was a hard drive and slowed us somewhat due to lack of comfort.

    Stopped for lunch on the Murray river at Barooga then a quick coffee stop at Cobram. Walking the town in 37 degrees isn’t much fun.
    Got to Shepparton around 3pm and set up in 37 degrees before a quick trip into the cbd for groceries for our last night.

    Back to camp for a swim. As always the pool was full of kids but very understandable on a day like today. The water always seems really cold compared to body temperature but very refreshing. Then back to the comfort of aircon in the caravan, constant heat is really quite draining.
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  • Day 15

    Shepparton to home

    January 4, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Luckily the severe heat reduced overnight. We still awoke to 23 degrees and it increased fast to 28 by the time we hitched up and departed just after 9am. The day was heading into the 40’s so thought it best that we get away early. Traffic back to Melbourne was less than expected so made good time. Mainly dual carriageway freeways until we took a backroad and met up with Julie from Timaru for brunch. Only another hour or so back to Melbourne to sadly unpack and clean up.

    Overall our trip was uneventful as we were always at least a day ahead of any bushfires. Taking notice of the official warnings was good for us and most of our fellow travellers. The heat day after day was hard work and draining. Our trip was of course a test for us and our rig to see what is practical with respect to comfortable distances and making sure we allow time to stop and see the sights.
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