Day 71 - Echuca/Echuca to Crystal Brook

Today brought a number of important events. The first being, it’s my departure day, the second being the winding back of the clocks. As mornings go it was a little chilly, but fine as usual.

I set my alarm for 6.45, but realised later that it was 5.45 based on the elevation of the sun.

I got my departure chores done and bid farewell to the gang. Rather annoyed with myself as I didn’t get a departing photograph. Probably a wise forgotten event as you might have seen my tears lol.

I’m hoping to do 700kms per day which would get me home Thursday.

Today’s journey took me through Swan Hill where a friend lives so we caught up for brekkie. Glenn, his wife Angelika and daughter Natalie met me at a great cafe on the bank of the Murray.

I had a great day passing through places we visited at the start of this journey as well as new.

With the help of Graham, Peter, and the ladies I landed at a small town called Crystal Brook for the evening, approximately 800 kms closer to home.

I had a few beers with the guvna of the pub and 2 other customers.

Meanwhile the Great Road Trippers managed to explore more of Echuca.

Everyone decided to make the trek from Victoria to New South Wales……on foot, to visit the Sunday Markets at Moana (not the Disney version). The return journey was about six and a half kms. Lunch today was at The Bee and Honey shop.

In the afternoon Peter had nap while Julie and Anne chilled and cleansed more clothes.

Graham and Karen visited The Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm, which is owned by an ex member of the constabulary, which was right up Grahams alley.. All items are personally owned. Displays such as the lap bell from the 1956 Olympic Games, held in Melbourne, multiple beer cans and paraphernalia, a from Flemington Race Course that once housed the Melbourne Cup, cigarette machines installed in people’s houses that were regularly stocked )for a fee if course) by the cigarette companies, a Carlton and United Brewery horse drawn carriage (donated by CUB), a selection of old holdens and other vintage cars, farm machinery and much more. Graham was in heaven.

Karen cooked a chow mein for dinner and of course every one looked for me to do the dishes ( I have a cleanliness fetish).

To finish the night they all played Uno No Mercy which caused a great number of laughs but alarmingly some friendly abuse.Read more