Trish Travels: Hobo Life

Day 34 - Custom House, Border track

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

HH is on a mission, the Border Track, SA and Victoria. Sounds a bit boring to me. But have to admit it was very scenic, lots of bushes still in flower.

A few places we crossed into Victoria and I thought, yay! moving on, but no we would cross back into SA. Very hot, so in a way a relief for it to be a big driving day.

Into Ngarkat (silent G) conservation park. The border track was closed in areas as it is a one way track (north to south) and high fire risk, however, there were other tracks to take. First camp area was well set up, toilets, water but the flies thought it was the place to be, so we pushed on hoping we to outsmart them. Comet bore was bearable, maybe because it was later in the afternoon:)

	Hanging over the Border [Map]		Lunch in Victoria [Map]
	Trying to hide [Map]		Murray River Ferry [Map]
	Murray River [Map]

Day 35 - Comet Bore too Black Cockatoo Bush Camp

Thursday, 28 November 2013

More of the Border Track. Quite an interesting old railway station at Serviceton. Into Little Desert NP. Is this Victoria? Lost track of which state we are in, border gets a bit fuzzy at times,

Little Desert is very pretty and I am giving myself neckache, like Wimbledon, head swinging from side to side! checking out the flowering bushes on either side.

Just out of the NP and the track seems to go between 2 fields. Quite a bit of dried muddy tracks, no no from me, what is your problem? From HH. Huh, rounded a corner, deep ruts, but looks dry, HH moves on slowly, until I insist we stop. We did, but too late, the edge of the rut under the back wheel cracks off and we bottom out.

I didn't say a word, honest. I decided to go for a walk whilst the person who had got us into this started digging. Not too easy as the top was very hard, but cracked (guess that is why it broke off). Unfortunately it started raining as soon as we got out of the vehicle.

Several walks up and down the track and HH is not getting far. In front there were no trees to winch and we didn't want to go forward anyway, the tracks deteriorated. We could have done with a high lift jack, or an exhaust jack, but our only option was to find something else to get under the chassis. We had broken through to mud under the wheel but not enough to clear enough space for the Max Tracks but the chassis needed lifting off the ground first. Send off to find 'stuff' to do this. Dragging branches and wood back down the track was treacherous as it was now a gloopy slippery mess. After 3 hours, we were wet and dirty and a farmer drove up. Jason was a delightful young man, had seen it regularly on this track, in fact he said it was waist deep up ahead. He sent for the trakter.

John Deere arrived with a huge snatch strap and had us on terra ferma in no time. Have fallen in love with John Deere:). I want one. A nice mug if soup and we were heading off for a camp. Guess what, it stopped raining as soon as we were out of the gloop.

The Black Cockatoo Bush Camp had a camp kitchen tin shed, with fire, flushing toilets and hot showers!!!! Heaven. We cleaned up and thawed out. Liz and Ken are the farmers (ex) and have retired, converting their land to this lovely camp, what a great idea.

	Serviceton Railway Station [Map]		Buggar! [Map]
	Wet and Muddy HH [Map]		Gloop [Map]
	John Deere, Nado and HH [Map]

Day 36 - Black Cockatoo to Grampians

Friday, 29 November 2013

Clean and dry off to the Grampians via Narracoote and the Coonawarra wine region. Had no idea so many wines from here. Only recognise half a dozen or so.

Lunch at the bakery in Penola before, finally, into Victoria. This area is so lush, green, rolling hills, farm land with lots of trees. Nothing like this in WA. Must rain a lot.

Approached the Grampians from the south west and drove through the valleys that had been devastated by bush fire in 2006. Lots of new growth but the canopy of trees still missing. Reminiscent of Queensland.

First campsite we planned to stay was closed, so we drove closer to Halls Gap, fingers crossed we will find something open.

We did, picturesque and soon very cold. Hot water bottle night:)

	Baaaaas [Map]		Black Cockatoo Bush Camp [Map]
	Re growth after 2006 fire [Map]		Flowers for Melody [Map]
	Poser [Map]

Day 37 - Grampians to Ararat

Saturday, 30 November 2013

A wonderful day of exploring these amazing mountains. The information/cultural centre is such an incredible building, inside and out. Could have spent the whole day there.

Plenty to see and do for a few days here, but again not enough time.

Camped the east side of Ararat in Langi Ghiran NP. Invited over to share another couple's fire, they are from Frankston and we were able to gain some knowledge of possible campsites for Christmas.

	Information centre at Halls Gap [Map]		Look out [Map]
	Fringed Lillie's [Map]		Blackboy flowers [Map]
	Waterfall [Map]

Day 38 - Ararat to Coldstream

Sunday, 1 December 2013

Heading to Coldstream to stay with a friend of mine from when we used to live here. Our boys were good friends, Ben and Jason were in the same class.

We stopped in Daylesford for lunch. An area well known for its hot spas. For a Sunday it was humming with people. Obviously a popular spot, I can see why, it is lovely.

Stayed too long now will be a bit late getting to Dita and Sid's.

They haven't changed, gracious and hospitable as ever. Got lots to catch up on, about 16 years to catch up on.