Day 117 - Monday 24 April - On to Echuca

Day 117

Monday

24 April 2017 –

Bright – Echuca

For those interested – I have gone back over the blog and added photos to those that are missing their pics

Light streamed in to the van early, I was still tired after not sleeping that well, my head still swimming with the photos. As we had arrived home late last night, we didn’t get to pack the car in prep for moving so we needed to get up, that being said it was 7.45am, so it was a sleep in compared to yesterday.

Paul went off for a shower, while I sorted breakfast and began putting things in their place. I sent a quick email to western power with photos of our meter, a once a year job, to ensure the power stays on for Jaden and Renee. I was then off for a shower, as Paul put the car on the trailer and finished up outside. By the time I returned, there was just a few things left to complete and we were on the road again.

We followed the Great Alpine Highway though the small country towns we had passed on our way to Beechworth, we then moved on to the Hume Highway heading towards Melbourne before exiting and heading towards Shepparton on the Midland Highway.

Large fruit farms dominated the drive as we entered the Goulburn Valley and passed over the Goulburn River. We made our way through the town of Shepparton but didn’t stop. We continued to follow the GPS until we reached Echuca a town on the Murray River and at the border of Victoria and New South Wales.

We made our way to the Top Tourist caravan park, booked in for three nights and proceeded to set up our base.  Paul busied himself with the things outside, while I set up indoors, while I hastily logged in to the free wifi and began the downpour of photos in between making lunch. The net was slow, but with perseverance I might just clear the backlog from the past few days.

We ate, sorted out what we needed to do for the afternoon and then we gathered our things and made our way in to Euchca, in search of the Chemist Warehouse. We followed the GPS, finding it a little way out of town, but wouldn’t you know, right next to Bandicoot Brewery.

We did what we had to at the chemist and then Paul was off to find out if the brewery was open to visitors. With a big thumbs up, we entered the brew shed and made ourselves comfy. We were treated to the range of beers, chatted with the brewer owners and a couple of other patrons who wandered in. It turned out to be quite an unexpected and fun sojourn to our initial journey.

When the tasting was complete, we drove back into town, parking on the main street and then heading out for an explore. We walked the main shopping mall, all the usual retailers were present. We continued our walk to the Port of Echuca, an historical precinct on the Murray, where an old town front has been set up and many paddle steamers berth.

We enjoyed the wander along the main strip before returning to the main road and walking back towards the car, stopping at the chocolate shop for a tasting and a few takeaways. Paul also spied a gourmet food store selling pork pies, so it was a quick shop to pick up a pie.

We returned to the car and drove back to the van. The storm clouds were beginning to build and we wondered if we would get a storm. When we were back at the van we were straight onto the technology, continuing the catch up.

Paul sorted dinner and then we ate. It was quite warm and humid in the van and we contemplated needing the air con, instead we went for a walk around the park for some fresh air and to check out the large grounds and facilities. 

Once we were back at the van, Paul made his way to bed. I continued to load what I could on to the computer, frustrated at the slow going, but thankful to at lease have wi-fi for now.