THE MID NORTH IN SA

Stayed at ARGADELLS (a working sheep and cattle station) just north of QUORN. There are cottages, camp sites, caravan park with ensuites and bush campsites. There's also a heap of tracks round the property for you to pit your skills against the tough terrain. Really recommend these folk - Malcolm and Judy. Here we are having brekky round the campfire. Our rig in the background.

My 4WD exploits were great. Cautious. Attentive. Mindful. Mindful that we want this Pajero to get us back to Cudmirrah at some stage... maybe late May. It was fun.

Melrose is known for its single track mountain biking.

Had a great meal here at the North Star Hotel. Kerry looked after us here and the food was creative and scrumptious. Thanks Kerry. You could sure have a good party here!!! Really well set up inside too. Linked with the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna.

We met Pip at the bike shop. Check out www.otesports.com.au - looks pretty top class stuff. Fay wouldn't let me stay and play.

When we reached Laura (that's a town), we found Stevens Motors. We negotiated with them and they reckoned they could squeeze us in for our 195,000 km service the following day. The business used to be a Chrysler dealership about 3 generations ago.

About to take Fay here.... for a treat. She loves treats, and she's been so good. Mind you we are still ploughing through the chocolate easter eggs we picked up quite a while ago! They specialise in ice cream which we'll have after we've had a home made meat pie for lunch. Fay doesn't know that either.

This bloke makes saddles, harness etc. If you need something in this line.... here's your place. We're happy with Stevens Motors at the other end of town.

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Today we'll head to CRYSTAL BROOK. That's a great town too. We'll stay there a few days we think. Get a bit more cycling in.

THE RIVERINA

So much to tell you about since I last wrote.

Stayed at Berri (SA) before heading off to Wentworth, then Swan Hill gathering (233 Avans), then Wagga, Junee and Temora. Home Saturday arvo to Dubbo.

We called at Murray Bridge to top up the oil in the Pajero and found Murray Bridge Mitsubishi. Asked a guy named Rocco if he might be able to check out our Pajero. Well, let me tell you, Rocco checked out our oil, topped it up and when I went to pay him, he said, don't worry about it. Hey, how's that for service? Thanks Rocco. Hope that doesn't get him into trouble, but that's what used to happen in the good old days. I'll go to Mitsubishi in Murray Bridge any day.

It was just great staying with Dave and Irene in Wentworth. They belong to Servas, went to WWTC (Dave), play golf and are very keen cricket followers. They used to be good card players but their form has dropped a bit as we found out when we played crib and euchre with them. (Sorry mate!)

When we left Wentworth we bought vanilla slices at the Jackpot Bakery. Scrumptious! If you're there, go and check out the vanilla slices! Fay is the ultimate vanilla slice judge I can tell you!

Caught up with friends and relatives in Wagga, Junee and Temora - Gra/Julia/Phil/Leanne, Anita/Bob, Dazza/Anne & family, Ida, Patrick/Bev and John. We love the Riverina and have great memories of our college days in Wagga. The Keast family came from Junee.

Thanks Gra for fixing up computer concerns, thanks Anita for the great prices at Harvey Norman, thanks Annie and Ida for arvo teas, and thanks Pat/Bev for a great stay at Eurolie. Thanks John for including me in the minor chores for the day. Thanks Patrick for the great weather site. Check it out! Have you got a good one?

Arrived home in Dubbo in time to unload the gear and then watch the final of the Cricket World Cup played in the West Indies. Thanks Gilly for entertaining us. Congrats Pigeon for a great career.

Next post I'll tell you about apricot kernels and a magic product. And I'll share news of Brad from Crystal Brook in Sth Australia. It's a good story. Gee, I'd better tell you a bit about the Avan get together too.