[full photo slideshow included in the overall 2023 pictures at the bottom of the post 2023 Trips]
Note–We collected the 5R from Cardiff on Tuesday 5 December and were set up in Granville.
Tuesday 19 December 2023 to Thursday 4 January 2024
Yass, Narranderra, Moama, Finley, Colleambally, Junee, Narranderra, Yass, Granville
Tuesday 19 December—Yass Showground
We left Granville at 1125hrs, it was quite hot (34C) and overcast. We arrived at the showground at 1435hrs and set up for the night. We had to visit the local caravan park to do some laundry drying. The weather continued to be very sticky and during dinner at KFC it started raining very heavily. We then headed to Woolies to grab some groceries and got soaked as we ran from and to the truck and the heavy rain continued all night.
Wednesday 20 December—Narrandera Showground
We left Yass at 1000 hrs, it was cool (14C) and overcast with light showers and when we arrived at the showground at 1420 hrs it was sunny (24C). After getting ourselves set up for the night we ventured off exploring and found the painted water tower display with information boards. We had dinner at The Lazy Lizard Restaurant which had metal lizards and chameleons all over the walls.
Thursday 21–Wednesday 27 December—Coco Bend Caravan Park, Moama
When we packed up and left at 0930 hrs it was already hot (28C) and when we arrived at the caravan park at 1445 hrs it was very sunny (27C). Not long after we had set up we had our first visitor, Maud, Reen’s sister and after she left we headed into Echuca to have dinner with her & Ian.
On Friday Dean put up the Christmas lights outside the 5R. We headed into Echuca, picked up pies for lunch with Maud & Ian and on our way home we dropped into Woolies for shopping. It was now time to set up our early Christmas present of a digital photo frame with some family photos and we then sat outside to eat dinner. It was now time to explore the park, so we set off walking to the Murray River—the park is located on a bend—and visited the camp kitchen and on our way back we met the neighbours (camels in the paddock next door) and enjoyed the sunset.
On Saturday we went on a silo art (well, silos and other street art) exploration trip into Victoria—Kyabram, Stanhope, Colbinabbin & Rochester. It was really interesting visiting lots of small towns that all looked cared for and loved. We had dinner at Maud’s with her family including Courtney, Angus & Jaz and Wes (Reen’s brother), Sim, Olivia, Maddie & Issy who had arrived just from Gilgandra.
[photos of the artwork we saw are in the overall Silo, Tank and Wall art post]
On Sunday we visited the family at Maud’s until after dinner. Just after we got back to the 5R there was a major storm with strong winds, pouring rain, thunder and lightning all night.
On Christmas Day morning we found the ground was flooded and we had to walk through puddles to get to the truck. We headed into Echuca for a family lunch at Courtney & Dallas’. There were 25 of us eating a delicious baked meal with all the trimmings and desserts. Dean & Doreen, Maureen & Ian with Courtney, Dallas, Kiara, Ali & Alby, Heath & Gemma, Angus & Jazz, Wes & Simone with Olivia, Maddie & Issy, Brett & Liz with Johannah, Mikayla, Jaxon, Daniel & RJ. Then it was back to Maud’s for the afternoon and yummy lunch left overs for dinner.
On Tuesday we spent the day at Caravan Park and in the afternoon we had Maud & Ian and Brett & Liz drop in for afternoon tea and to check out our new home and they were all very impressed. When they left we followed them into town for dinner at Maud’s.
As we were leaving the park on Wednesday Dean found the one soft patch between our van and the park’s road and needed some help from the guy camped next door to get the truck out (thanks mate 🙂 ). On the way again, off to the Moama Markets which was very busy. We then headed home to pack up the Christmas decorations for 2023 and then it was back to Maud’s for a visit and then off to dinner at Moama RSL with those of the family who were still in town.
Thursday 28-Saturday 30 December—Finley Showground
We packed up to head off at 1000 hrs and it’s very sunny (28C). We stopped for some photos of silo art at Picola and Reen got a great photo of our truck and 5R.
When we arrived at the showground 1210 hrs, it was very sunny (28C) and we were the only van for one hour or so and then about 10 others rolled in before dark. We relaxed for the afternoon, had dinner outside and watched the beautiful sunset with lots of birds and rabbits.
On Friday it was raining on and off all day so we rested and in the afternoon we played our new ‘Ticket to Ride’ board game. We had dinner at Country Club Hotel Motel, it was a great steak sandwich.
On Saturday it was hot and windy as we ventured off to explore the sights—Finley Lake, wall murals at the Bowling Club, a manger scene at St Mary’s Church, coffee at the bakery with wall art, the Boomerang Motors mural, the Railway Park and historical Railway Precinct with 8 info notices, the mural on Tuccal Hotel wall and a model trains exhibition.
Sunday 31 December-Tuesday 2 January 2024—Colleambally Caravan Park
Sunday found us packing up ready to leave by 1030hrs on a cloudy day (23C). We stopped at Jerilderie for fuel and visited Luke Park for coffee & a chocolate bar and checked out the Steel Wings and explored some of the Ned Kelly info trail. We arrived at Colleambally at 1315 hrs and had lunch in the 5R across road from park. After setting up and chatting with the park owner we had dinner. Being New Years Eve we attempted to watch the Sydney fireworks, we saw most of the 2100 hrs display but the TV couldn’t hold reception due to the weather and trees for the midnight display.
HAPPY NEW YEAR—WELCOME TO 2024
On Monday we rose late to a sunny (29C-36C) day. We had a very yummy brekkie and then had coffee at the table under the tree beside the 5R. Dean worked at positioning the digital photo frame on the cupboard door and Xena loved playing in the drilling mess.
On Tuesday and another hot (32C) and late start to the day. We ventured off to explore the town and we photographed street signs with bird pics x 16, the irrigation system info, some town history bill boards, a wine cup shaped water tower mosaic, wall art with handprints and had lunch at the Muddy Duck Cafe. That night there was a major storm and torrential rain.
Wednesday 3-Thursday 4 January—Narrandera Showground
Here we go again, packing up to leave, it’s 0935 hrs and it’s already hot (32C). On the way we explored Darlington Point; this is a place we want to revisit. We arrived at the showground at 1130 hrs and it’s hot (33C) and we are set up by 1200hrs. We went for a drive around town and then found a local pizzeria for dinner.
Thursday found us exploring sights—the Information Centre which was brand new, only just opened after major renovations and very helpful, we had morning tea at the Bakery, took a photo of the historic Coles Building & info board, drove to wetlands (but too wet to enter), visited the Talbot Lake Skywalk, saw the Royal Doulton Fountain (one of only two in the world), and the urn in the Remembrance Garden.
Friday 5-Tuesday 9—Junee Golf Club
On the go again, we are packed up ready to leave at 0936 hrs and it’s overcast (25C) with strong winds. We arrived at the club 1130 hrs and it’s hot (28C) and we are set up by 1200 hrs. It was time to head off into town to find a dump point and then we visited the Information Centre in the Library, the Chocolate and Licorice Factory and had dinner at the Imperial Hotel.
On Saturday we visited the Roundhouse Museum and drove to the Bethungra Spiral where we saw the XPT Melbourne to Sydney train go around a hill and we drove further around to Bethungra Dam, which is well set up for picnicing.
On Sunday and we had strong winds all night and they are even worse this morning. We watched Church via Youtube. It was good to see Sienaar was almost playing with Xena this morning who was going wind crazy. We spent the afternoon doing a cupboard shuffle (moving goods into different places).
It has poured heavily all night and is still heavy this morning so we have decided to stay another night. We ventured out for breakfast at the Railway Cafe, a beautiful old railway building, used well. During the afternoon we played ‘Ticket to Ride’.
Tuesday 9-Wednesday 10 January—Yass Showground
Packed up and ready to head off at 0955 hrs and it’s overcast (23C). We arrived at 1230 hrs and it’s sunny (26C). We went to Woolies, rested and had dinner.
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On Wednesday we spent the day resting, reading and sleeping. We need to revisit to see the sights.
Thursday 11 January—Granville
On Thursday we packed up ready to leave at 0930 hrs and it’s already hot (29C). We arrived in Granville at 1315hrs into a hot (32C) day. After parking the 5R in Nyssa & Brad’s driveway we set up and spent time with the family.