23 March: Port Campbell to Home

With the prospect of a cool wet change along the coast, we have decided to bail out - head home. Easter will be nuts along the coast, and at home with rent-a-bogan next door.

We will go via Cobden to check out the site of the Live Steam annual Easter convention, then Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Mulwala. Cross country really through the edge of the Otways, Stony Rises, Goldfields. It's full of road works, as it turns out.

Highlights - at Maldon watching the full size steam train pass - driving, no time for cameras; and 90c/l fuel at Bendigo. 500km and 8 hours later, at home again.

My macbook is very ill so I am being careful not to lose pix and docs... will post photos when I can.

22nd March: Nelson to Port Campbell

We did some washing last night and left it out. This morning it was wetter than when we hung it out! Scrounged $1.40 for the drier and also dried our towels after a good scrub.. Toast and coffee today and off to Portland where we had our first Macca brunch for the trip and parked with a view of the port and marina... Next to the tourist tram which rattled past!

Port Campbell Rec Reserve

East; sticking to the coast to Port Fairy, Warrnambool, taking a few pix and cruising the waters edge where possible. Then The Great Ocean Road... Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, London (ex) Bridge... Peterborough, where they don't want any one to stop... To Port Campbell where we are at the Recreation Reserve for the night, fund raising for the Rec Res committee.
A bunch of wasps have congregated at the front of the bus to feast on the thousand moths that sacrificed themselves during the day.
We have done 1850 km and have well blown our budget with $1225 on tyres, so have decided to spend another day or so along this coast and head home. Easter will be mad around here... And next door at Mulwala!

21st March: Kingston to Nelson VIC

We have had a bit of a MacBook failure so struggling with iPad...

Parked up at Nelsons pet friendly CP

Last night was cold, well the morning was cold. We snuggled up and had a leisurely start about 10. So we visited the coastal towns along the way, Robe, very pretty, then Southend and on to Millicent. Bit of a pause then Mt Gambier with compulsory photo op at the Blue Lake. Decided to spend the night in Victoria, just, at Nelson - because we have never been there... So we are tucked up with power a view and washing on the line. The sea breeze will dry it or blow it away..

20th March: Port Elliot to Kingston SE

After tea, coffee and bananas on toast for breakfast, we set off leaving Jodie to do some gardening before heading home.
Plan is still to follow the water, so it's down the hill through Middleton to Goolwa then Milang aside from a nice coffee from the Bakery we shared a delicious cherry danish!
And took a photo or two for out train friends...

Meningie

We headed to Wellington to try crossing on the vehicle ferry, but the dip in the approach ramp looked like we might bottom - even with the towing neck removed, so we decide to head up the road and cross at Murray Bridge (30km).

And so then on the east of the river continued to Meningie. Pretty place by the water for a bus-made toastie for lunch. Figure that Kinsgston SE would be a fair place to call it a day, and would try the free park by the jetty (thanks Camps Aus etc). We know that any good free spot fills up early so 3:30 ETA should be okay. So we will have covered 360KM for the day. The Free Camp is by the water off the busy roads, a good spot!

In place at Kingston SE

19th March: Salisbury to Port Elliot

Well we went Jodies way... through all of the Saturday roadworks in South Australia... but eventually arrived at Higgins Rd (a little bit out of) Port Elliot.

Setup and relaxed, good food wine and company, and a quiet night. Although Honey was seriously rousted by the big dogs when she went for her early morning constitutional. I thought they were tied up...

18th March: Salisbury Hts

RHHINO parked up outside Immanual Drive

After adjourning inside last evening due showers, we were not sure how much it rained during the night as we could hear the strong wind through the trees and many palms. Sounded like rain...

0600 JJ headed off to work and Butterworth for three weeks. Got up to see him off and then back to bed.

After breakfast Jodes took us to the favourite auto parts place. So we now have air-con belts new indicator globe and spare, plus marker light globes - for when I have a ladder...

The ladies have decided as it is a blustery unpleasant day we will head down to Port Elliot tomorrow after the morning traffic. Meanwhile chilling out, and blogging - out of the gusty wind! 

17th March: Wood Wood to Salibury Heights

At 7:30 we are up and at em. Our toilet is full. We don't use chamicals and it is only liquid and a bit of paper. Sneak over to the toilet and empty into the Gents pan. No drama. 10 minutes later the cleaner arrives, nice lady...
So it's on the road with a biggish day ahead. We are going to continue on the Murray Valley Highway. Robinvale is next, fuel is tight... Finda nice stop at Boundary Bend - servo, CP, etc 24/7 opposite the Murray, and a reasonable fuel price so in with 100 litres, and a snack breakfast.
At Robinvale the highway crosses to NSW then back to VIC approaching Gol Gol and Mildura, the into SA before Renmark. I figured on passing an Auto Spare place and would get a pair of V Belts. Nope, none on the main drags...
So it's a hot afternoon. RHHINO is running well though it seems the thermo fans on the radiator ar not comming on again when slowed down - tempramental.
The climb up to Truro moved the temp needle qhite a bit but not too far - it's been hotter! Stopped at Angaston for a few minutes for a strtetch and another round of cold drinks, and some fresh jam tarts! Yum.
Arrive at JJ and JJ's on ETA at 3PM. Boy has this been a long 900km.
So we made it, just in time. JJ's deployment means he has to be on base 0630 tomorrow morning. Sitting outside yacking when the welcome cool change sneaks in, showers and all, relief. A shower and a delicious feed from Jodes and it day's end...

16th March: Echuca to Wood Wood

We became tired of hanging around the CP by 1145 so headed to town. Parked on the Beaurepaires apron a few minute after 12 and went exploring. Soon came across Top of the Town Fish and Chips, I remember from years ago, that they were very good. We ordered a piece of real Barramundi each, some chips and cold drinks found some river front to sit and eat. As it happened where many houseboats are mored - dozens and dozens...
Then passed by the Tyre place, bus not moved... Back to the water and ye Old Port... About 2:30 received a call "how do you start the bus?'

Don't think I will bother with the hubs
 caps again. Paint the rims at home.
The Chrome Spray paint look okay.

Told them about the master switch... About 3:15 we headed back. The 3 blokes at  Beaurepairs were seriously flat out.
Long story short, the new tyres needed serious balancing (extra $20) One took 440gm! 5:30 we had paid and left. Long afternoon!
Approaching Cohuna, I fancied I could smell rubber, Nah, can't be. Then fancied the air con wasn't working... At Cohuna stooped to check everything. Tyres are fine, phew! But the two air con V Belts are gone, poof. What next. A bit hot and sweaty but let's continue since it is too late to find the Cohuna Auto spares... But do buy a bag of ice. Into the sink and put all our remaining beers in up to their necks!

Figure we will keep going til dark maybe make Piangil. Right before dark passing through Wood Wood (formerly Wort Wort!) spot a nice looking rest area that goes 100m from the road and on the edge of the Murray. That will do! Even has a toilet!
Beers, cheese and bickies, chips and nuts - and TV. Bed at 10PM

15th March: Coco Bend, Moama

Set out for the tyre places this morning:

• Tyrepower; Maxxis all position, $340 each - no rust band or tude included, 4 in stock; HiFly traction tyres $300 with kit 4 in stock,
• Bridgestone Tyres; nothing in stock...
• Beaurepaires; can get HiFly all position with rustband, tube by tomorrow $225...

I want all position tyres so the spare is suitable as a steer tyre. Traction tyres are not. HiFlys are apparently several notches up on the Wanli's... The Kumhos steer tyres we got several years ago are very good and cost $240 at the time. Ordered 5 tyres, should be in late morning TOMORROW... With luck they will see out our adventures in RHHINO.

One more night here with plenty of space now that the long weekenders have gone, peaceful and forced relaxation. Just starting to get into that... in spite of feeling a bit pinned down (Much better than being stuck in Fitzroy Crossing!!!)

Up River

Down River and a visitor..

14th March - not Labour Day it NSW... except Moama... Coco Bend CP

The Moama Tyre Guy is having the Victorian PH off (was always 50:50). I did track him down on his mobile at 0900 to ask if he was opening today. No. Checked his stock (from home presumably as I was parked at the busines) and he only has 3 Dunlops anyway.

So we are staying put another night... The CP owners advise us that the Tyrepower bloke in Echuca is the go to guy - tomorrow!

I refreshed the VAST service the other day so we quickly had satellite access to the ABC channels but still not the commercials. Well it is a long weekend... Sick of news and Landline so we have turned on the radio. We are still clearly receiving Shepparton radio... to remind us we have not got far!

13th March: Moama (Echuca) Coco Bend CP

After settling in here icing and drinking a few beers each, a nice cool breeze arrived late evening. Lovely! The couple who own and are building the place are.. older, and this is a project for future retirement. Brian told me this morning that when he started talking about building a CP various people gave him advice. He has taken 5 things on board:
1: must be pet friendly
2: most people don't wish to pay for jumping castles and water parks...
3: thus it must be affordable
4: sites must be large and easily accessible
5: I forgot...

Went out shopping into Echuca. Moama having a very big market day just over the river, packed.
Also went to find the Campaspe Valley Miniature Railway in SW Echuca. Not a running day, sadly and no one there. So now chilling and reading and waiting for beer o'clock.

Tomorrow 0815 to the Tyre Guy!!!

Couple of pix at Coco Bend showing the value of an awning each side - especially when you have lots of glass. Good when it rains too, can leave the sliding windows open. Caution though - as the extension is by spring arms one needs to brace the awning out so gust dont fold and flex them too much ...

And another aside... this time using our iphone's shared data for internet with Macbook and ipad tethered. Will need to buy more data (than our normal 1GB) but it is the same rate as prepaid anyway - with Telstra ($15/GB). One less device to manage. Anyone want a 4G Aircard?

12th March 2016: Finally on the road again... for a while!

After the inevitable last minute rush we made it out the driveway about 1030. Hooked up the Vitara... then walked back inside two or three times for stuff we had forgotten! So westward ho! All temps pressures etc okay, but decided to stop at Strathmerton to check everything.

Just happened to notice that the inside right rear tyre was lifting the tread, bugger. It is always the inside tyre! If I had stopped half a metre sooner it would have been on the ground and hidden. It's 30 odd degrees by now and horribly humid... so a tyre rotation took about an hour, and now we have no spare - on Saturday of a long weekend...

We will continue. I mean what are to odds of another tyre problem? About 20km short of Echuca, BANG,  a fairdinkum blowout. Slowed down got off the road. So, it is the otherside inside tyre... We flapped along a bit to put some bitumen under the wheel and jack. The outside wheel is carrying the load though. Now desperately hoping there is no other damage.

This is after the tread was freed. Note the drag marks

By now it is hotter and no shade. Ah we have awnings! This time hard work, wheels off and wheel brace needed to extract the tyre tread which is jammed between the brake drum, springs and shock absorber. Then untangle what is left of the tube... Fortunately no damage to the likes of brake lines or airbag. So the outside wheel again goes on the inside and the previously removed wheel on the outside, damage and all, no choice here!

Very gingerly mobile warning lights on we head for Echuca at about 40KPH keeping the left wheel on the bitumen as far as possible. A long, nervewracking half an hour or so. Now we are after somewhere to stay for a couple of days... Info Centre advises there is only one dog friendly CP, 7km away in Moama.

Another slow careful drive later we are at the new (15 month old) Coco Bend Caravan Park. We buy ice to immediately chill some beers. I'm knackered after making it 175km for the day. We were planning to watch the sunset near the VIC/SA border. Now it seems we will be tourists in Echuca for a day or so. Ah well better than being stuck on the side of the road. Monday is not a PH in NSW so we hope the Moama Tyre guy will be there to sell us 4 new tyres, maybe 5. The cheap chinese WANLI, 5 years and 50,000km old tyres are ALL going to the tip!