VO Tour - Echuca

23rd December 

 Victoria is the smallest state on the Australian mainland. Only the island state of Tasmania covers a smaller area. Victoria, on of Australia's chief farming regions, was also the first area in Australia to develop a large scale manufacturing industry. Melbourne, on Port Phillip Bay, is the capital of Victoria. Victor ia covers 227,619 square kilometers of area. Low hills border the coastline of Victoria. The Dandenong Ranges stand east of Melbourne. The Great Dividing Range and several other mountain ranges cover much of eastern and central Victoria. In the northeast these mountains are called the Australia Alps. The discovery of Gold in 1851 brought the first large population wave to Victoria. Lignite (brown coal) is now the chief mineral produced. The lignite deposit in the Gippsland district is believed to be the largest deposit in the world. Other minerals include antimony, silver and tin. Victoria also has fertile soil and gum and eucalyptus forests. Chief crops include barley, hay, oats, potatoes and wheat. Stock raising and dairy farming are also important industries in Victoria.

A great night's sleep, at last!

Travelled to Echuca today, via Albury, Rutherglen and Yarrawonga. A good day of about 370 kms, and an improved attitude in the car from the Junior passengers.

We had a very pleasant lunch at Lake Mulwala at Yarrawonga The fore shore development included bar-b-q's, picnic tables, playground equipment and swimming pontoons. We were visited by some very persistent Silver gulls and they entertained us with their antics. One particular gull puffed himself up and chased the others away, to no avail. We were too hungry to share.

Upon arrival at Echuca, we set up camp at Rich River Caravan Park. Nice tent sites and friendly people.
This was our first attempt at pitching the small dome (in a real camping situation) and we all survived it without yelling and screaming!

Whilst Sue did the weekly wash and the kids inflated the air mattresses, I set up the computer and typed up our various records, including this joumal. 

Our fridge appears to be working well again We have had it on mains power for the last two nights and have had no problems. It appears the man from the Orange Washing Machine and Refrigeration Service was spot on with his advice and will be duly sent a thank you note. 

We are off to do the weekly shopping tonight and have tea in town The children have commissioned me to speak on their behalf in obtaining a Pizza Hut dinner from she who must be obeyed. I approach the task with some trepidation.

Post dinner note: No Pizza Hut! Hot chips and fruit in the park, followed by a hilarious shopping event in Coles. I was shamelessly playing for cheap laughs and got them.  A fun evening.

Packing up, Sue and I had our first dust off. My fault entirely, but I think the fact that it was the dome tent may have had something to do with it.  I think it remembered how it's previous owners - Langston's Senior - packed the tent and sent out bad karma.