After saying goodbye to Judy and Allan we headed west downstream along the Murray towards Mildura. On the way we stopped the night at a rest area in a place called Nyah. This was the start of 7 days of maximum temperatures well into the 40s. As it was only going to get hotter later in the week we decided that it was better to visit Mungo National Park at 40C than 45C. This place was only 100km on dirt road from Mildura but a thousand miles from nowhere, so we ditched the van for a couple of days. The road to Mungo was narrow in places, sandy, but good. When we got there you were overwhelmed by the distinct lack of vegetation apart from salt bush with more desert like features- this was surely not a lake!!.

Ever since a work colleague (Charlie Gray) mentioned this place I knew we had to go there. This was where the aboriginal remains of ‘Mungo lady’ and ‘Mungo man’ were found during the last few decades. The remains dated back forty thousand years ago and were representative of the earliest cremation and celebration of human deaths recorded. The  erosion of sand over time meant that aboriginal artefacts and evidence of occupation were constantly being exposed.

We spent two nights at Mungo national park where we camped under the stars in swags.  We were fortunate enough to be shown around one morning by a guide named Ivan who was very passionate and knowledgable about the importance of the place. The best time to be out and about  was fading light. Not so much because it was cooler but more because you could feel the place. What was once a bountiful lake that served so many people was now so desolate, so beautiful and sacred that it oozed with soul. Even the kids enjoyed the isolation. People in Mildura thought we were mad to head out there. In reality we had left the madness behind.

 

It was time to head back from the furnace (Mungo) and into the fire (Mildura). We decided now was the time to venture into the world of caravan parks. The feeling was that the fridge in the van would not be able to put up with the temperatures and either would we. So we booked into Buronga riverside park that had electricity and a swimming pool. The plan was to visit shopping centres, libraries and swimming pools during the heat of the day, then bed down in an oven of a van at night. We stayed four nights in total and man it was hot – even the locals were using the word ‘sickening’. On one of the nights at midnight it was reading 40.1C in town. We went through two electrical fans and a crap load of ice.

But survive we did and had a great time in Mildura – this place is an oasis in the middle of nowhere. Apart from visiting the library and cinema we also went on the “Melbourne” which was an original wood fired paddle steamer. The kids also enjoyed the local wave pool and ‘orange world’. On one of the nights we met up with Andrew Driscoll, a local fisheries compliance officer, who is a mate of one of Chris’s work colleagues. Andrew and his family regularly visit Kangaroo Island and provided us with some great information for when we visit there next month. The whole family made us feel right at home and the bbq squid (care of KI) and ‘aussie/greek salad’ was second to none – Thanks Andrew, Mat, Zoe and Sophie, and guess what Dylan now wants a pet rat.

We left Sydney on the 28th December and headed directly west over the Blue Mountains. Normally this place would stop any traveller in their tracks, but we have have visited it many a time and we were more interested in getting to Oberon to catch up with old friends. Oberon is a special place that very much reminds us of Jindabyne – beautiful country side, occasional snow, many characters, and some great little trout streams. Best of all it is where our mates “Cavey” Lynley Luke and Brooke have their 50 acre oasis “Little Rapids” on the famous Duckmoloi River.

We ended up spending six nights in all even covering the highly overrated New Years eve. On the agenda was the usual consumption of massive amounts of alcohol while chin wagging around the now famous Little Rapids Tepenyaki bar.

 

All the tin lids

The kids never miss out on the action though as the smell of 2 stroke permeated the air with several quad and motorbikes racing up and down the backyard. Dave even set up a pit stop/sun shade for bike maintenance and rest area. There was a few stacks including Dylan meeting the tree head on and Tom kissing the ground in grand style

I think the Dads enjoyed the activity and 2 stroke just as much as the kids

Of course any motorcycling adventure would not be complete without the lovely ladies who also own the little buggers.

Thank god most people left on New Years day as we were all suffering from alcohol poisoning. The Walsh’s and Harris’s were left to enjoy the piece and quiet. Myself and Cavey did a bit of fishing and I realise now the benefits of carrying a net on these unforgiving blackberry infested streams. I managed to catch my first ever redfin but hooked, and could not land, 3 nice rainbows on one occasion. Good to see these waters holding some nice fish though. Our in house pilot Cavey made the most of the light breezes during the mornings to fly his ultralight over the valley, while last minute maintenance was made on the van to get her ready for the trip.

Dylan requested he have his birthday at Little Rapids on the one proviso we celebrated at Tarana Hotel (with a bit of coaxing by his dad and Cavey). So finished a great few days of great weather with even greater friends. See you same time next year guys.