In simple terms, the Murray River runs into it at one end, and out the other. The northern end past the dam is NSW and southern end is Victoria. Parts of it are covered in the remains of a long dead forest and it twists and turns like a politician caught out in a lie. ( I did not have sex with that woman ). It's a spooky looking lake if there is such a thing.
Anyway, we are here at Ebden on the Vic side, at another BIG4, until Monday. We'll use this time to investigate the Kiewa river up to Mt. Beauty, and have another look at Tallangatta. Tallangatta was our first choice but the caravan park there is best described as rundown and yucky. Rang them 3 times from Shepparton, left mobile number for return call which never arrived. Called in at their office, rang the bell, rang the bell, rang the bell, nobody showed up so we did a U turn thru the camp and left. There is a showgrounds there where you can apparently camp for a small fee so we'll check that out tomorrow.
It's still raining and cold - it has rained all day - all the way up from Shepparton. It's snowing in the nearby mountains of Mt Beauty so don't know if we'll be camping up that way. The local rivers which I had hoped to flyfish for trout are flooded, so that only leaves the lake which I guess we will put a line in before we leave. It's the middle of October and still in winter - unbelievable.
Meanwhile David & Helen are sunbathing up at Inskip Point Qld..............grrrrrrrr
Friday 16 Oct
Went back to Tallangatta in the sun this morning and had a look at the showgrounds. Nobody camped there but it looks promising with showers fresh water and toilets. Waiting to hear back from the caretakers. Went on further east to the Mitta Mitta river valley and had a look at free camp up there called Pigs Point. That has promise too as it is right on the river (slightly high and discoloured at the moment) and there are two longdrop toilets. The hills are unbelievably green, and the topography reminds me of the King country North Island NZ,around Taihape. From Tallangatta we will go towards the alpine region of Eskdale and Mitta Mitta, Mt. Beauty. This afternoon we took a short drive to the Hume Dam, crossing into NSW to do so. There is some heavy cloud around but it has stayed fine and sunny, but not what you would call warm.
Saturday 17 October
Went to Mt. Beauty at the foot of the mountains. Even saw snow. Mt. Beauty is an alpine village very similar to Hanmer Springs. It serves the skifield of Falls Creek. Had coffee there in the main street and then drove back through the Murray River valley. Very pretty countryside. It was fine and sunny.
Sunday 18 October
Laundry in the morning and sorted out fishing gear. This afternoon we drove back to Tallangatta showgrounds and met up with the caretaker who is activating the hot showers and toilets for us on Monday. $15 per day is the tariff and it's a lot better than the local caravan park which he described as an utter and complete disgrace to the district. We found a spot on the sunny side of one of the buildings which faces the lake. Power and water close by. Late in the afternoon I went and fished the Kiewa river for a while but it was high and discoloured. Pics at top
Happy birthday David Waldron and Anne John.
