Catching up with Lexie

So I wake up to Kayla chatting away and I automatically think ‘Oh Kayla it is too early’.  On checking my phone though it is already 7 am and I wanted to be on the road by 8 am!  Of course it was nice and toasty in our van, and I wasn’t looking forward to having to venture out to the toilet.  However I was pleasantly surprised to find the wind had gone and it was just another brisk morning.  Venturing to the toilet block meant smiling and saying good morning to a bunch of people who didn’t seem to have the morning spirit.  Mind you I think with my hoodie on they probably all thought I was going to mug them, but really it was to keep my hair hidden until I could do something about it.

We hit the road just after 8 and headed off to Tocumwal to catch up with my cousin Lexie.  I really enjoyed the drive over there and we passed so many things that we noted in the ole memory as stopping points on the way home (Big Cherry and the Big Strawberry being the main two).  As we got closer to Tocumwal and right near the big strawberry I suddenly noticed that all the massive gum trees looked dead.  I thought it was odd and it took a second for me to realise that one of the tornados experienced last month must have hit here.  I honestly thought it was further along the river, but Lexie confirmed it had.

Just felt for all those people and homes in its path.

The Big Stawberry remained untouched (the building was damaged).

Originally we hadn’t planned to do this section of the Murray River, instead head more south and do Bendigo/Ballarat, but driving into Tocumwal we got the feeling we might be missing something big.  They had beautiful beaches and it was just a whole new part of the Murray that we hadn’t yet seen or experienced.  Straight away we started second guessing our decision to miss this part.

It was so great catching up with Lexie or ‘Exie’ as Hamish would call her.  I think we did the markets at record pace due to a little boy who had spotted the playground by the river before we headed off to the markets.  Luckily Lexie was more than happy to sit in the shade and catch up whilst Hamish had a play.  We can really understand why Lexie lives down this way, there just seems to be something about the place that makes you not want to leave.  We didn’t explore Tocumwal much, but the markets were great and I managed to get some more fresh bread, strawberries (for Hamish) and some marinated fetta (yum).    Oh and again another big tick for the local bakery (loosen a few more buttons).

It was so great seeing you again Lexie.

 

We then had to say goodbye to Lexie after a quick photo, and then she kindly took one of us in front of another big Murray Cod (Jason didn’t have his fishing rod this time).  We called into the Big Strawberry on the way home and took some photos of the devastation that the tornado had caused and of course had to buy some strawberry topping, strawberry port (for you and I Jacki when we return) and believe it or not, Jason got a book on all the big things in Australia!  Hamish and Kayla then had a big sleep on the trip home and we just quickly called into the Big Cherry.  There is a Cherry person, but on entering the shop (Jason stayed in the car so we didn’t wake the kids), I found there was no one serving (honesty system) and no cherry products!  To say I felt disappointed was an understatement.  So I bought half a kilo of plums from the Big Cherry and we were off again.

 

Yes Jason, this is what you want to catch.

 

I swear it is like someone above is reading my blog and fixing all my complaints.  Obviously no new wine glass has turned up on my doorstep yet (could be the fact we ran out of wine) but the cold wind disappeared and when we got back we had new neighbours.  Even better, you wouldn’t believe they were from Queensland!!!  They were so lovely and friendly and shared their bread with Hamish when feeding the ducks just outside their van and then all these Kookaburras arrived (about 9) so they got our some sausage to feed them.  It really was a great sight and Hamish enjoyed feeding the animals and watching them.  Unfortunately I didn’t get any photos as I had Kayla and Jason was inside cooking dinner.

Don't stop (unless maybe it is cherry season).

Now don’t go feeling sorry for poor Jason, he did get the tour of the beer shed yesterday, all the other fishing sessions and this afternoon he just happen to find someone to have a hit of tennis with.  Well now the kids are in bed and fast asleep and we have had a chance to work out what we want to do and we have made a decision.  We are going to stick to the Murray River and not detour south.  We just have a feeling we will miss too much and we can always do Bendigo/Ballarat on our next holiday (yes we have already started planning our next driving holiday).  As to where we are exactly going we aren’t too sure (Jason has gone for a shower and I am obviously writing the blog) but we will work it out, at least we know we are heading east.

 

Hamish being a strawberry.

 

Of course Kayla couldn't miss out.