Sunday 14th December - Victor Harbour to Berri

Big thunder storm this morning, one lightning strike was so close it blew all the feathers off the local sea gulls. Not much rain but lightning and thunder galore. We were still able to be on the road by 8.30am and had breakfast at Strathalbyn.

Chatted with a chap who had an R1100gs who told us that he had been on every BMW safari from the first to when he had to sell the bike (wife got really sick - bad luck).

We rolled on through to Murray Bridge where Mal wanted some oil for Gertie. Mal was chatting to a local chap who has an F650 Dakka - Steve is his name - he asked if we would like to do the work at his place. Mal quickly agreed so he was able to do an oil and filter change - while Sue read to Grace, Steve and Alison's 5 year old daughter. Thank you Steve it felt so good to get the dirty oil out and the new filter in.

It was 12 by the time we headed off into the increasing heat. A ferry ride across the river at Mannum and the a longish hot ride through to Loxton.

At Loxton we paused, not quite sure where to stay in Berri - it was hot and we really dropped the ball and stayed in the caravan park - the caravan park was run by Chris and Des and they are fantastic.

We were glad to stop, find some shade and take it easy.

Monday 15th December - Berri to Swann Hill

We walked out to Martin's Bend in the morning and that is a nice spot. I guess it was seeing the camping spot there that made us re jig our plans. We packed up and were on the road by 10am. Lunch in Mildura - traffic lights and roundabouts.

The ride down to Robinvale was hot and then it turned windy and hot and stayed that way all the way through to Swann Hill. A hot dusty ride which came to a grinding, metal to metal halt at a accommodation option just out of Swann Hill. Gertie's rear brake pads had worn out totally - they were new before we left and now they are kaput.

We took a motel room while we work out how to manage the next few days while we get the parts freighted in to fix the brakes.

Mmmmmmmmm -