We have moved on from Goolwa having completed our journey along the Murray, the new objective was to get to Windsor Gardens a suburb of north eastern Adelaide, via the McClaren Vale wine region. Not a long drive from Goolwa. We were going there to pick up Mitchell and Piper who had flown in from the US and were joining us on the trip back home to Brisbane via Queanbeyan, a few relos there to catch up with after about three years of COVID hassles.

After settling in from the US flight we headed off the next day to Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills for some German fare. Allthego quite likes Hahndorf, in particular the pork schnitzels. Back to Windsor Gardens for the return trip to Brisbane. We then retraced the Murray back through Murray Bridge (saw that Bunyip again), Mannum, Walkers Flat and Big Bend at Swan Reach. Paused briefly at Waikerie to catch the Silo Art before landing in Renmark for a couple of nights. Long days drive, all the River views were as good as they were a few weeks earlier!

Renmark saw us check out some food options around town including the Woolshed Brewery, a bit further afield, in an old shearing shed beside the River. Houseboats can tie up here and stay overnight. A great spot!

Mildura calls though a little further along the road and we had three nights there, not doing much apart from some putt putt golf and catching the new release movie Jurrasic World Dominon, the latest instalment in the dinosaur saga starring the mob from the first one. Allthego thought it was a bit so so story line wise, a few subtle gags and throw backs to the first movie, it did have one on edge a couple of times when the beasts were allthego. Also one must say some very good fish n chips at the Mildura Rowing Club cafe.

We took off back up the River for the morning to Wentworth and the junction of the Murray with the Darling River. The Darling is absolutely flush with water pouring into the Murray and collectively cascading over the weir just below the junction. The brown Darling water mixing with the bluer Murray, a great sight. The Perry sandhills were nearby and we went out for a climb up and wander around the ancient landscape. Piper greatly enjoyed the experience, particularly rolling down the steep sandhills.

Allthego has been remiss in not filing a final report on the custard tarts. Our last tart was from Strathalbyn on the way to Goolwa, very disappointing example of the art. Pastry was half full! Allthego’s conclusion about custard tarts is that it was a waste of time and effort reviewing them. They were pretty much all the same! Need to think of something else for next time, maybe chocolate eclairs!

We are now at Balranald beside the Murrumbidgee River, a tributary of the Murray. It is in flood and the Park manager has told us it is on the rise. A nice sunny day on the road but it is chilly as the sun sets. Allthego’s beef stew by the fire! I suspect we will survive the night as we continue east in the morning to Hay.