Blogs from Shepparton, Victoria, Australia, Oceania
Sunday, 12th February started well - it had been cool but dry during the night so there was no heavy dew to worry about. Graham hadn’t put any of the outside things away last night like he usually does as we weren’t in a hurry to get going this morning and he guessed things, particularly the awning, would not get damp during the night. Nevertheless, we made good progress in our packing up and we were ready to hit the road for Shepparton by about 9:45am. We have been through Shepparton before but we’ve never stayed there and we felt it would be a good place to explore and from which to visit Echuca. It would also stand us in good stead for our on-going plans which we think will take us on to Benalla in ... read more
Originally 17th March 2011 It's hot. Even at 7.30 in the morning you know it's going to be hot, the temperature eventually hitting 40 degrees. It's our first day of work and we're being given our training by Ron. Ron takes us to an apple orchard where we join our gang. Our ganger is Mike, a decent guy, in his 60s I'd guess, also travelling Australia. He was in New South Wales for the cherry harvest and has now come to Victoria for this one. Ron, incidentally, is a hypnotherapist in his spare time and enjoys studying the powers of the mind: "You will pick more pears. Big, fat juicy ones. Yeeesss, look into my eyes...” We pick up a ladder, choose a row, and seeing everybody else already at work, are quick to get started. ... read more
Final week at the Mesmerizing Murray River Farm
Published: May 16th 2011Oceania » Australia » Victoria » SheppartonEaster Monday and we waved the Sheppards off but only until the end of the week when we may be off to stay with them. We spent some time tidying up and then chilled out with Debbie & Padge (D & P) for the rest of the day. On Tuesday lunch time a school camp arrived, so we spent the morning getting a few things ready. We had a camp fire with the kids in the evening and Padge got on one with his stories!! My head was now feeling more certain about the possibility of going home for my Dad’s funeral and I had decided not to; as any of you who know me will understand. Although it was a difficult decision I think it is the right one. We spent the rest of the ... read more
Beesting, pommes and more Ozzy cowboys
Published: May 16th 2011Oceania » Australia » Victoria » SheppartonSo after the fun-packed weekend we thought that we may go into some sense of normality but no! Monday brought Pommey Jo Sheppard (who moved here from the UK with her hubby Martin and kids Molly and Lucy 3 years ago) and kids were staying for the whole of the Easter break. We hit it off straight away; Jo had such a mucky sense of humour just like us, so it’s fair to say we had a laugh or 3. Tuesday; Bobby Swan a friend of Debbie & Padge (D & P) true to his promise came to pick me and Dim up for a day touring around the bush; it was a great day and Bobby was so funny without even knowing it. We visited bush, rivers, a cemetery, a muster station (a place where ... read more
Cowboys, pots and campfire songs in the Ozzy outback - Weekend 1
Published: May 8th 2011Oceania » Australia » Victoria » SheppartonSo we arrived at the beautiful Murray River Horse Trails near Strathmerton and left behind the rain in Melbourne; it was glorious. That evening we enjoyed a typical Ozzy BBQ including BBQ marrow fresh from the garden which was beautiful. We met Reggie an 84 year old guy along with his dog Jack who stay in a caravan on the farm and help out. Debbie and Padge (D & P) welcomed us that night with a few beers and songs around the camp fire – I think we are gonna love it here. We went to bed in the mouse ridden caravan, we heard a load of mice so we decided to sleep in the camp fire room – it wasn’t the best night sleep but it was fun. We spent the next day cleaning the ... read more
Undera Speedway - Victoria Solo Championships Those of a non speedway disposition please look away now. My mate Howard Williams the track announcer at Undera speedway kindly transported me up to Undera speedway (near Shepparton), some 150 km from Melbourne for an evening's methanol fix. We travelled up via Nagambie (stopped off for a fish supper at a Greek chipper!!) and Murchison (Murchy has a town of his own in Oz I never realised that). The entertainment on offer was : Victoria Junior Solo Championship, the field included Declyn Adams (yup Leigh's son) who was ok but rode well within himself, Lindsay Phillips, Cooper Rirodan, Jack Halls, Jack Fallon and last but no means least Max Fricke. These guys are all potential speedway stars of the future in my opinion. The junior solos were on bikes ... read more
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
Published: December 24th 2009Oceania » Australia » Victoria » SheppartonThis year has brought with it many changes, challenges and new experiences. I have lived in Noosa, Stanthorpe (2.5 hours south west of Brisbane), Wongan Hills (regional WA), Glenelg (Adelaide) and ended my year by moving to Dookie (2.5 hours north of Melbourne). I have worked as a waitress, a housekeeper, a barmaid, a raspberry picker, done a season seeding in WA and finished the year by signing a 2 year contract as a broadacre research assistant. I have traveled up the East Coast with my best mate on holiday from the UK (love you Mel), solo across the Nullabor twice and around the great ocean road. I have seen stunning sights, not just on the main tourist drags but also in unexpected places such as Stanthorpe and Wongan Hills. I have been completely broke and ... read more
So this past weekend we went to the Bush to go to a rave at a camp ground. It was about a 2-3 hour drive. When we got there we set up shop...which means we prepared the van to sleep for later that evening and got into our costumes. The party's theme was magical creatures. I dressed up as a fairy and my friend went as a bat fairy...which ended up looking like the evil fairy. The party ran from noon util 5 pm the next day. The party was a blast and then returned home to Melbourne the next day. I took some photos of the drive back because we went through area where the bushfires came through. It was difficult to imagine that the entire area was on fire. This blog was a short ... read more
Today I' m trying to make business cards ...as per Ades request. I've discovered we dont have Pubisher on our computer so I'll have to visit Kim. It was not a success but we will pay some one to do them.. We have finally left for our trip. So far all is good. Ade is happy with the way the van tows. Me I'm just happy.The first night we stayed at a very small town called Murrayville what a surprise. Turn off the main street and there is a cute little park ( and I mean little ) CLEAN &GREEN . But only $9.90 per night. Gee werent we excieted we had tea at the pub. And the band for the night was The Bee Gees boy was I happy... But they didn't start till 9.30... ... read more

































