Monday 12th Oct 2009 - Day 40 - Mildura Packed
up this morning for the trip to Mildura. We were ready by 9:30am
so headed off behind the big 'Traveller' across the Paringa Bridge and
on to Cullulleraine for morning coffee break. We had a tail wind
all the way to Mildura and John reckons that he had the best fuel consumption yet for his trip. Nav man found the Apex
River beach Caravan Park and we were booked in very efficiently by the staff. There
were a number of ACC members already in the park and the BBQ area was
filled at Happy Hour time by members from Qld, NSW, Vic, ACT and SA.
It is going to be a very busy time during the AGM which
officially starts on Wednesday. Geraldine registered us and
received our goodies bag which contained local tourist information and
name tags. The weather doesn't look good for the next few days
with extreme winds and rain forecast. I put my awning up when we
arrived but on hearing the forecast put it back down overnight.
There are only 7 SA couples coming as far as I know so we will be
a small contingent compared to the other states. Our Branch Pres.
Barry and Treasurer Barry, arrived on Sunday
via Loxton. Merv arrived about an hour after us from
Berri. That leaves another 3 to come. In the afternoon we did some grocery shopping to
replace spuds and vegetables that we had to get rid of at the border.
Also looked for another Camp master chair at Ray's Outdoors but
they didn't have the right colour I wanted and it cost extra $30. We will look in Adelaide
when we get back.
The Lock at Mildura
PS Melbourne , Mildura wharf.
Tuesday 13th Oct 2009 - Day 41 - Mildura Not
much wind overnight but it started round 7am with a little rain
as well. We organised to go out with John & Margaret as their
vehicle was in for a service. We drove them into town and we had
a coffee morning at the Hudak Bakery. Had some nice looking
Beestings to go with the coffee. We then did a look around the
shops and Geraldine & I purchased a quilt for the bed. We
went around to the Tojo Dealer to pick up John's Cruiser and then left
them to go back to their van. We drove to Clark Rubber and b
bought an underlay for the bed. Hopefully it will help us sleep
better as the mattress is too hard for our liking. During the day
the Caravan Park was quickly filling up with interstate members
arriving. ACC have a stall set up in the Reception Office
with merchandise and machinery to embroider names on shirts.
Geraldine couldn't get down there quick enough. A
total of 130 vans will be at the AGM so that means a large Happy Hour
each night. Just got my AGM itinerary and there are some
interesting workshops that I'll be attending. During the late
afternoon the weather turned cold and more wind and rain. We
retired to our van and didn't bother with the Happy Hour although many
did as can be seen below, until the rain drove them indoors. :-)
Happy Hour at Mildura on Tuesday .
Wednesday 14th Oct 2009 - Day 42 - Mildura First
thing this morning we took the quilt back to the shop and exchanged it
for a queen size. This will give more coverage along the edge of
the bed. No problems there, only an extra $10. The underlay
we bought worked a treat and I had no sore back this morning on waking.
Had late breakfast and coffee in the Hudak Bakery in town which
was very nice. Got back to the van and was invited to the
Gardiner's van for morning coffee and cake. Barry and Carol arrived as well. After coffee the 'boys' went out to Halls
Caravans for some spare parts for Barry D's hot water system. After
lunch we had the official opening of the ACC Muster by the Chairman,
Lionel Mussell and the Deputy Mayor of Mildura. Chairman of the
Muster Committee, Gary (Dunco) Duncan also spoke about the planned events for the
Muster. Afternoon Tea was provided by the Club. Then there was a ballot draw for the Mungo National Park day trip tomorrow. Only 16 vehicles apparently. Also,
a rush to get your name in for river cruises and we
are down on a list of names for a cruise on the 'PS Melbourne' tomorrow
morning. Happy Hour was in the 'Big Marquee' set up for the
Muster. This evening there is a jam session arranged in the
Marquee and a sing-along.
Thusday 15th Oct 2009 - Day 43 - Mildura Took
John & Margaret into town to have a coffee at Hudak's Bakery.
Afterwards we went to Jayco and bought some accessories. In the
afternoon Geraldine and I went for a 2 hour river cruise on the PS
Melbourne. In the evening we went to the Marquee for a jam
session with a couple of the members performing and
demonstrating their musical skills. Weather was blustery and wet
on occasions.
Friday 16th Oct 2009 - Day 44 - Mildura ACC
AGM sessions. In the morning we had 12v systems,
solar systems and legal aspects in caravanning, In the
afternoon we had an outback caravanning safety workshop, and packing of
vans and equipment suggested for free
camping in the bush workshop. The day culminated with a BBQ dinner
organised by the local Rotary Club. All events were enjoyed by
all that attended.
Sunset at Apex Park
PS Melbourne passing Apex Park
Saturday 17th Oct 2009 - Day 45 - Mildura ACC
AGM sessions. During the morning we went to Wentworth with John
& Margaret along the Silver City Highway and had a look around and
a coffee there. We came back along a different route, the
Calder Highway, via Merbein. We stopped in town and had lunch at the
Subway shop. We also attended the BioMagic workshop and the B.E.S.T. water
filters workshop before the AGM was held in the afternoon.
Sunday 18th Oct 2009 - Day 46 - Mildura A
lay day today before everyone packs up and heads home. In the
morning we had a ladies' reversing demonstration and a critique session
in the marquee to get ideas for the next National Muster in 2010 at
Maryborough in Qld, to be organised by the Wide Bay Branch. The
majority of people who spoke were very pleased with the way the Muster
was organised and some people came out with good suggestions for the
next one. Afterwards Lionel Mussell, the Chairman, declared the Muster
closed and everyone was left to do their own thing for the rest
of the day. The Overlanders had a morning coffee and in the
evening we all went to the RSL in Mildura for dinner. We leave for home
in Adelaide in the morning. Next trip will be the Xmas AGM for
the Overlanders Branch in Tanunda at the end of November.
Apex Caravan Park from
Murray River Cruise, PS Melbourne.
Monday 19th Oct 2009
- Day 47 - Home
We were packed up and ready to go by
9:15am. We said our farewells and goodbyes to all the others from the
Overlanders Branch and to John & Margaret who have been really great company
for the 7 weeks we have known them. The trip to the border was
uneventful. We were checked by the Fruit Fly Inspectors for fruit and vegetables. We had
none so were quickly on our way.
We arrived home around 2pm SA time and were
unpacked by 3pm. Now comes the hard bit, cleaning up the gardens and
lawns which have overgrown in the time we were away. Didn't know that
weeds could be so prolific. Oh well, I guess there are no free
lunches and every trip has its price!! :-)
The Southern Cross
Overlanders Branch participants at Mildura.
