20180509 VIC Mildura

20180509 Here we are in Mildura and the stories from Des are flowing so let’s reflect back on a little story I think you will all get a laugh from, Waldo and Scotty started their travelling and Des meet them in this town in 1988 so Des phoned his dear mate for a bit of reminiscing, well! Des was pacing the van talking to Scotty when we both started laughing.

Much younger and some had more hair back in the Bathurst day.

While drinking at the local Pub on a cold winters night Scotty picked up a bit of a catch, but as the night progressed our Scotty disappeared, he was found safe but not real well for he had passed out in the loo and the problem was no one could wake him and the bounces needed to lock up,

You need to get him out said the bouncer,

We can’t wake him said his mates,

Tip a bucket of water over him said one of his mates, (I give you 1 guess who)

You can’t do that said the bouncer,

Well! you want him out said his mate,

The bouncer returns with a bucket of water & hands it to his mate, 
His mate sneaks into the loo, throws the water over the door and runs outside, 
(I give you a 2nd guess who)

Soon after Scotty appears soaking wet cussing and cursing, you little C… how am I to pick up now all dripping wet. 

Waldo & Des pissed themselves laughing while poor Scotty dripped dried.

Scotty hasn't forgot, Paybacks a Bitch

But I'm guessing nothing much has changed from those days to now but at least it's a step up from the loo..

                           

Just a bit about this amazing river which over forty million years ago, through the force of water and geophysical uplifting, one of the greatest river of Australia began to take shape. The Murry River creates a natural border between NSW and Victoria and is the world’s 16^th longest river at 2,520 kilometers.

As we got closer to our destination we notice heaps of signs saying dispose of fruit, we scratch our heads thinking, we're over 150ks from the SA border and still in Victoria, but we did the right thing only to find out you only need to dump fruit if going over the SA border.

Bloody Victorians for Ya.

 The scenery begins to change from wide open wheat and sheep farms to grapes and winery's.

We cross the Chaffey Bridge to reach the caravan park on the edge of the Murry River so now we are basically in NSW how weird is that.

Once we settled in we walk the grounds finding many interesting wood carvings and lovely fair gardens but it was the size of the root that got me.

Walking over the bridge I was able to capture a wonderful view of the Murry River in all her wonder.

The Steamer Melbourne was launched in 1912 and built as a work boat used for keeping the main channels open for navigation for other Paddle steamers, assisting with bridge, wire and lock construction.

This is how the→
Melbourne looked in her working days.

←In 1965 prior to
 being commissioned as a tourist boat.

The old steam engine was built in Melbourne and is referred to as a loco type with a maximum steam pressure of 150lbs and is stilled fired by wood.

Over the 250 paddle steamers build and used on the Murry this is now the only original left for passengers that is still driven by her original steam engine.

After extensive boiler and hull repairs she was fired up again for the first time in 23 years. 

She is truly a work of art. 

The Wheel House, get out of my way you little twerp 😂

Pulling into Lock 11 now to wait for the water to reseed about 15 minutes then we're on our way.

Waiting, waiting and down she goes, The locks and weirs came about in the 1918s to reduce the effects of drought and flood.

Then the gates open and off we go to continue our trip up and down the beautiful Murry while taking in the history that goes with her.

Not a bad spot to retire perched right on the Murry with your own jetty, there could even be some crabs in here Des.

How cool is this a fold up fire place brought on eBay but probably cost an arm and a leg.