Driving into Mannum l was so surprised to find this gorgeous looking town set beside the amazing Murray. The buildings are so well preseved and it feels like you've almost stepped back in time. As we took the ferry crossing to the free camp site at Bolto Reserve we were greeted by a guy who loves his job, giving us a big hello and wave. After finding a nice shady spot for the van, the girls and l were changed quick smart into our bathers and we were off for a swim. It was so bloody hot! The best thing about this spot was that the river had a sandy footing rather than a gooey muddy one that Purnong had. The water was so refreshing and the girls loved watching the seed boats and jet skii's hoon past. After a long dip and a feed we headed back across the ferry in search of water. Think it would be easy hey?! We though we found some up an abandoned housing estate. The water was clear when we checked it and started filling the tanks, when we disconnected the hose the water flowing out was so mid stained! We had to pull he plugs on the tanks and as we drove along, we left water flowing behind us. We eventually found a tap at the school after asking at the local BP station, were we were informed that the town water was supplied from the Murray and we should look for water tanks. So after an hour of stuffing around, we had water! Now for my friends that wonder what we do all day, this is one of the daily jobs, finding water and filling our tanks. Not as easy as just turning the taps on! After getting back to camp across the ferry again, we were back in swimming. The heat was unbelievable! Marty actually got the generator out and ran the air conditioner for a while to cool the van down. Hooray for that, now that we have one! The fridge was also struggling with the consequent days of heat, hoping a cool change comes soon. As the day was ending a van pulled up on the other side that we recognised from Alice Springs. We hadn't had too much to do with us but all the kids knew each other. They had just finished their four month trip along he west coast and were on their way back to Melbourne to rejoin suburban life. After chatting for a few hours and hearing their stories and how much fun they had, l secretly hoped hearing it would help inspire Marty to keep travelling. I had longed for the West coast since starting to plan this trip, l would be devastated if we didn't make it there. We got some great advice from them on some good camping spots which was always handy.
By bedtime, around 9 o'clock at night the temp outside was still 35oC and the girls were so hot to go to sleep. So we continued to run the generator for the air conditioner. Marty stepped outside for some reason and was greeted by the bloke next door who forcefully suggested we should turn off the generator as it was getting late. We didn't want to cause trouble so turned it off, even though it wasn't that noisy and the blokes having a booze session across from us were making more noise! Anyway, we were sweating inside trying to make our own breeze with fanning paper over us when we heard this same bloke start yelling across the way at another bloke starting his generator. There was profound language being swapped by both men. This bloke next to us must have thought he owned the joint. You'd think he would have taken into consideration the heat and that we had kids trying to sleep. Along with sweating and sweltering away they had to listen to this guy yelling aggressively using the most colourful language. I think he didn't have a generator so thought, if l have to suffer in this heat, then everyone does. Yes, there are w***ers everywhere you go! We eventually fell asleep after midnight in a pool of sweat, Marty struggled to say the least.....
We had a great second day in Mannum. The heat had dropped to a more civilised early 30's, which meant we were able to function a lot better. Thankfully he idiot next to us went. So the day was spent with the girls swimming and playing with their barbies under the tree while l tried to catch up on my blog entries. Was so funny, while the girls were playing with their barbie dolls, Marty walked over and noticed they were all naked. He then stated 'nudie beach' in Mannum. We all then got a whacky idea to put the barbies feet in the sand and pose them like they were lying on a nudist beach. Ended up face booking the moment which a few people found amusing, the others were worried that the heat had finally got to us!! The photo actually looked pretty cool by the way.... After lunch l decided to do a work out off one of my apps and the girls decided they would join in. Was so funny watching them. The sit ups were the funniest with the girls struggling to lift their bodies up. After the work out l left the girls to rest after their hard session (lol) and took off for a bike ride. OMG, what was l thinking. There's motivation and then theirs stupidity. I was presented with this bloody hill that l decided l would tackle. It took me almost ten minutes to climb it it was so steep. I could have walked up faster than l was riding. But l am grateful to announce that l got to the top, l didn't give up! I did, however, nearly s*** myself on the way down (which took a minute l reckon) that l would come off and have all these nasty grazes. I had visions of my bike wheel falling off and all kind of horrors. Luckily l live to tell the tale, hahaha. After the bike ride, we all just chilled out for the rest of the day and had a great kick of the soccer ball around. Was great to have some fun and happy family time after so long of tension. Marty and l were growing closer by the day, the weight off our shoulders were both lifting. Was a great feeling. We also saw the paddle steamer we saw in Purnong, the 'Murray Princess' pull in on the other side of the river. It was still majestic, but didn't look as grand due to the river being wider here. The girls found it fascinating to watch them load blocks of wood onto the steamer and to learn that this was how it ran, not off petrol. They're always learning on this trip. As the day was ending, there was a mass invasion of locals who set up camp. Then followed with grog and loud music. Obviously, it was another late night to get to sleep.
Next morning we woke and found that heaps more campers had come and set up overnight. During the morning, they just kept coming. I know it's the weekend, but god, is all of Mannum deciding to come and camp by the river? We went into town and had a walk around, treated ourselves to some delicious pies from the local bakery and then went and stocked up on some groceries. We went back over the ferry to camp (have lost count the number of ferry crossings we've done here now!) and jokingly, after lunch, l said to Marty "we could be in Narrung in two hours". Next thing you know we're packing up and fare welling Mannum. We thought if it was noisy last night, imagine how loud it would be tonight with the amount of people camping doubling since yesterday. Pity we're leaving really as it was a great campsite and the river was awesome. But l suppose a lot of people know that too!!!

Bell Xxx