SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER

This morning we stroll around the farmers markets. We are all really taken by Mildura and its vibrant community. The markets have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and some of the growers see really well in the dark

Di and Garry bought a few provisions and then we went off to coffee. We drove around a bit looking for the Italian patisserie we found on the net. The navigation lass got a bit confused, but finally we found it. In an industrial estate. Closed. No coffee machine visible anyway. So we went elsewhere. After tossing that coffee out, we proceeded to the butcher. Not just any butcher, but Wagners, the best butcher in town. Garry went in, leaving the rest of us in the air conditioned comfort of the McDonald van (fondly known as Gran’s Torino, with no apology evident to Clint Eastwood)

Returning triumphant from the counter of Wagners, Garry had clearly seen what heaven might be like. We now have dinner for tonight, and tomorrow, sorted. Back to the caravan park by the river, in the shade of the magnificent river red gums, to put provisions in fridge. And then we pile back into the van and cross the border to Wentworth, where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet.

In April this year the Darling fed into the Murray for the first time in two years. It had been dry until then. These two majestic rivers, so neglected by our governments, are the 4th largest river systems in the world. Awe inspiring really. We drive around the little town and Garry reads about the self guided tour of Aboriginal artefacts and sites. So off we head. Not quite as inspirational as we had hoped

Once we heard the duelling banjos, we departed the scene and headed back to our favourite town so far, Mildura. The home of the houseboat. That’s another holiday. It’s hot, so we return to the caravan park, armed with some wine we have picked up in a great bottle shop in town, and have a swim in the mighty Murray. Now that’s a first for us all. There is a real beach on the banks of the river here, right in our caravan park.

It’s even patrolled by life savers

The perfect way to cool off, and the water is as clean as the water of a brown river can be expected to be. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing over some wine, before the first of two big dinners. Tonight, a simple meal of fresh cooked yabbies

And a light main of goat and asparagus sausages and Italian sausages (hence the title of this blog). Oh, plus some of the local produce acquired this morning. And perhaps a glass or two of local wine. I don’t remember.

A round or two of Rummikub before bed. A wonderful day.