CANBERRA ODESSEY August 2012
Day 14
Thursday 23rd August 2012
Awoke early at Birdcage Reserve due to rain, we decided to leave early to spend time sitting on the banks of the mighty Murray River at Bottleneck Bend east of Gol Gol N S W. After driving through the rain we arrived at our destination only to find the gates were locked, therefore entry was not possible. Plan B was then invoked, Martins Bend at Berri South Australia, another 180kl further west, at least a shorter day’s travelling tomorrow.
Travelling between Mildura and Renmark there was a huge dust storm for about 50kl, visibility was down to about 200 metres at times, regrettably it was sad to see drivers overtaking with this low visibility, however, the scenery it was making was fantastic, one minute low visibility then it clears and looking to either left or right in the recently ploughed fields we could see the dust storms either blow out or start up, a great vision.
There are storms forecast for Adelaide tonight with some rain here, looking at the weather radar the worst of the weather will be far south of the Riverland, thank goodness. Tomorrow on the way home we will check out a campsite on Lake Bonnie not too far from our present location, then home to our new granddaughter Eden.
Whilst driving we noticed how many caravans were on the road travelling in both directions. Hand waving to caravaners, motor homes and campers is the accepted practice of those travelling in the opposite direction, those who are On The Wallaby (full time touring) both people in the front seat give a full wave, right arm arcing from left to right across the windscreen of the car, the response is at times is hilarious from enthusiastic waving to maybe an index finger lifted or no response at all.
The holiday makers, (those who are on their annual leave) mostly male drivers, two hands on the steering wheel, head fixed in one direction, driving at maximum speed; one index finger is raised (it’s a bloke thing you know) . Those recently retired or at least looking forward to retirement, similar to the previous only sometimes you see the male sitting in the passenger’s seat; head may be fixed in any direction rarely the front, speed has dropped a little to 90kph whilst not being brave enough to return the whole hand wave four fingers on the right hand are raised whilst gripping the steering wheel with the thumb. The women; if they are awake or game enough to move their eyes from the road due to fear that the male driver will either hit something, run off the road, drive too fast or go in the wrong direction if they are not diligently keeping an eye and full concentration ahead for their man, usually return the pleasant gesture of waving with a warm spirit of a hand flapping. All this makes for a pleasant days driving.
Keep the shiny side up
John & Sheryle
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