The caravan park is on the river bend but is like the rest of the Riverland Region, dusty, dry and not a place where grass grows unless lovingly tended.   The riverbank is a splendid place to sit on the grass and throw in a casual line in the Murray, late in the day.

The big Paringa steel suspension bridge looks down on us as it spans the Murray. Opened in 1927 it is not a suspension bridge like a wooden slat thing slung from one side of the river to the other.   That would never do, as this is the main highway and trucks rumble through here all night, booming out a thunderous rumble as they hit the part of the bridge that opens up during the day to let river boats through.

It was a sound that wasn't actually disturbing.   It was just there in the background.

Washing was the first priority and I spent most of the arrival day doing that.   I have to get a life, as I do actually quite enjoy the whole washing, drying and putting away of the clean clothes and sheets etc.     Quite sad really J

We went to the nearby Paringa Pub for dinner and what a popular place this is.   Mostly locals, I felt and a lot of groups of guys, of all ages, out for a beer and a good hearty feed.   Nice!

I posted a photo on face book while Bill was in the lengthy queue to place our order.   I quickly realised that I was the only person on a mobile phone!    I did a double check around the large bar and dining room and yep!   Just me on the mobile!    Not only a bit embarrassing but totally bizarre.   Now, ask yourself!   How many times have you been at an eatery and no-one is on their phone?   It sure is a first for me, and frankly – very refreshing.   I didn't dare look at my phone again while I was there.

Our second day was totally uninspiring as neither of us could really be bothered doing much at all so we didn't.

We had a quick look around Renmark and we weren’t very inspired so decided on a drive to Loxton and Berri.   The Murray River wound its way below the red cliffs, the day was clear and blue with many jet vapour trails criss-crossing the sky.

Acres and acres and acres of grape vines giving way to citrus trees, laden with fruit (oranges I think) as we drove closer to Loxton.   The plains look very productive, although only stubble now, but this is a great cereal growing region.

Stock is not prevalent with just a smattering of a 3 or 4 every now and then chomping on the stubble on the horizon.

More trees, but not citrus – not sure what they were.   Then we came upon a huge operation with three massive stands of some bi-product processed in the plant.   These piles would each have been at least 100 metres long by about 30-40 metres high and wide.    Conveyor belts adding to the pile.   Finally it all made sense.   The trees were almonds and the plant is Almondco, the biggest shelling and husking operation around.   Not only the local almonds, but tons from further afield as well get processed here.

Almond trees dominated the landscape for miles and miles and miles, from the road as far as the eye could see.   I am amazed at the vastness of these plains, and the productivity.

In Loxton, the Loxton Cellars dwarfed everything around.   A huge operation, part of TWG, which doesn't actually own any vineyards, although it is totally surrounded by vines as far as the eye could see.   They just process the grapes, from all over, and make the good stuff!

Both towns appeared very prosperous and industrious, yet quite pretty. A great side trip!