Sun 14/09/14 Shorter drive today, only approx. 350kms. Left around 9.30am, GPS compass said go left? navigators 'body compass' said go right, (which we did), GPS re-set itself...everyone happy. Empty plains with not much to look at, counted 35 emus and many, many. many wild goats wandering the roadside. Food stop at Coombah Roadhouse, passed through Wentworth and Coomealla - kids excited to recognise Perry Perry Sandhills & Orange World as we pass by. Arrived at Buronga Caravan Park around 1.30pm. Perfect, sunny 29oC, great site with large grassed area behind us overlooking the mighty Murray River and our own fire drum. 20kg bags of red gum logs for $5 delivered from the office; too easy! PLUS 2 pools, a jumping pillow and a BMX track - kids are wrapt. Buronga is on the NSW side of the Murray at Mildura and seeing as we started this trip at Mildura there is NO TOURISTING REQUIRED. Just R&R - reading, fishing, kicking the footy, fishing, camp fires, fishing etc etc. Very quick setup then sat back to listen to live singer, Ron Herberte, croon a few tunes in "Frog Hollow" for a few hours. Kids made friends with Ned, Maggie & Archie from Geelong, so had mates to kick footy with. Tacos for dinner, then toasted marshamallows over the fire for dessert and watched the possums scoot about. Kids are counting down to getting home - 7 sleeps to go!

Mon 15/09/14 Overcast, breezy 22oC. M&L took a trip up the street for fishing tackle, bait etc. KB&A tackled the last 6 pages of the girls Term 3 Maths book and a few of their writing topics. Next Mummy prepared a paprika goulash to simmer slowly for the afternoon - Nanna would be proud - while MLBA went to the river to fish. Brodie snagged the best new lure...M had to cut the line, Alexis cast into a tree .... M had to cut the line and Lukas managed to cast over a pelican which became entangled trying free itself .... M had to cut the line. After several similar incidents the kids were sent to kick the footy, M was left to fish in peace, K (chuckling) off to blog for a while. Weather turned cool and windy, so gathered around the fire for dinner where Alexis managed to sit on Lukas's bowl of goulash to cap off the day - 6 sleeps to go!

Tues 16/09/14 Winds really picked overnight, giving M&K a 2am get up to fold in the awning. After brekky girls completed their final bit of schoolwork; HOORAY! Next the fisherfolk headed to the river, whilst K settled into reading a book. Pancakes for lunch, then resumed afore mentioned activities. Fishers persisted all day, each coming away with a few catches. All reeled in a few carp, plus Lukas caught a silver perch, Brodie a golden perch and Michael a red fin. Catches were most amusing to witness as 4 large peilcans stalked the anglers from the river, to then clamber up the bank and try to steal the landed fish - one bird took a snap at M who retaliated using sword-like manouvers with his rod, then the kids charged yelling at the large birds who retreated disgruntled into the river. Very funny! Relaxxxing day with pizza around the campfire for dinner. LBA began to make suggestions for their birthday presents - M&K reminded them that THIS TRIP is everyone's birthday present; they seemed quite put out. 5 sleeps to go.

Wed 17/09/14 Cold night / morning = heater on and sleep in. Breakfast, then HOT showers. Took a drive into Mildura to do some shopping. Weather improved to a sunny 19oC, so upon returning to the van "the men" braved the cool river winds to have another try at landing a murray cod, whilst the ladies enjoyed a leisurely afternoon DVD, being Flicka1. Were supposed to leave here tomorrow for Halls Gap, but after checking the H/G weather forecast - high 12oC, low 0oC and rain, urrrgh - it was decided that a another night at Buronga was preferable. 4 sleeps to go.

Thurs 18/09/14 Woke to sunshine and spent another lazy day fishing, reading, playing games, relaxing & chatting with fellow campers etc. Lukas caught a large golden perch which he & Michael cooked together and shared for dinner. Sun is back, so heading off tomorrow ... 3 sleeps to go!