There’s nothing like being marooned on the wrong side of the Murray and in lock down to run out of ideas to amuse and entertain my loyal readers. I could not offer any relief to the tedium you have all been experiencing since my last post. However, Dan Andrews did provide a window of opportunity and some smooth talking gets me into Victoria. So, after an unplanned intermission, the show resumes.
I spent a few days back at Broken Creek mixed with a trip to Echuca for car rego and some re-stocking at Shepparton – boy did THAT have consequences. At this stage regional Victoria was open, so I took the opportunity to get as close to Melbourne’s ring of steel as possible. My trusty On The Road free campsite guide steered me to the town of Alexandra and Brooks River Reserve
Brooks River Reserve tucks neatly into that folder of “we could be anywhere but five minutes to townâ€, especially loved by the female cohort and the weekend RV warriors. I only had to navigate 1km of good dirt to arrive at my destination, two van parking areas divided by a gully. Each area would comfortably accommodate 3-4 vans. Set in dairy country, the reserve is bordered by rolling green hills and pastures on one side and the Goulburn River on the other. The area is flat and an easy in-and-out for the larger vans. There was one drop toilet and plenty of sunshine to keep the solar panels warm and content.
That freedom to roam the regionals was however, short lived. Forty-eight hours after arrival, back into lock-down for three weeks. If that wasn’t bad enough, two days after that, the dreaded notification from your friendly Health Department – You have been to a tier 1 exposure site. Test immediately and isolate for 14 days. Yep, my two minute in and out at a local pharmacy in Shepparton had come back to bite me. The nurses were really nice. They were probably a little over reliant on the spit hood and cattle prod, but it was the only option in town, so what do you do? I was already seven days in before they notified me, so apart from a ‘home’ delivery from the local Foodworks, no great imposition.
So, plenty of time to explore the immediate vicinity. One hundred metres of access road took me down to the river. Resist the temptation to send your kids into the sinkhole areas either side of the track. Some are over three metres deep…… and then there’s the “drop bears” to worry about.
The river frontage is ideal for picnics, overnight camping and serious partying.  Easy access to the river is limited and the river travels at some speed, but on a hot summers’ day, I guess you’d take the chance of a long walk back.
Making friends on the road should be an opportunity not missed if possible. Flagging down a passing tractor while on a short walk led to a great friendship with Jim and Paula over five weeks. Jim is a farmer and mechanic par excellence and for Paula, EVERY day was baking day. I had to go on many long walks to compensate for their hospitality and cake binges. Another free camper , David turned out to be an auto electrician who not only sorted out a battery charge concern, but showed me the CORRECT way to set up the caravan awning. Lee (pictured) had customised a utility van and divided his time equally between free camping and suburban life. We discovered we were both musos with a bent for cheap but drinkable red wine. I’m certain some great opportunities and experiences will come from the “social” of shared time.
Alexandra is a great little town and hub to places like Lake Eildon and Cathedral Mountain There’s a Railway Museum for the buffs (alexandratramway.org.au/),a golf course (www.alexandragolfclub.com.au), several cafes, clubs and a supermarket.
Lockdown has finally been lifted (again…for now), so I’m off to the coast and the Great Ocean Road. I think it’s time to hit the beach and start thinking about warmer days and fresh seafood.