So what’s the most you’ve ever paid for and orange? Want some context….read on.

Trotted down early again to see the sunrise this morning, sadly clouds hid her smiling face but view was spectacular none the less. 

With a touch of reluctance we packed up camp to leave Mungo- have loved the camp ground here- but clouds, looming rain and the threat of being rained in got us moving.  Took about an hour to pack down and we hit the road at 9.30.

David  seems to have mastered  the art of corrugations and it was a much smoother trip back to Mildura but no less dusty.
Quick coffee break in Mildura and then next stop the SA border fruit drop box where we sat at the picnic table and ate as many oranges and mandarins as our tummies could hold. We put a serious dent in the $4 bags and sadly dumped the remainder in the quarantine bin…..or so we thought…

Next stop the hard border.  We leapt out proudly and opened up our fridge to demonstrate we’d done the right thing and purged ourselves of all things fruit – but alas, one vagrant orange had slipped its net and stood there as obvious as dogs you know whats on the floor of the car. Of course that sparked a major search leaving no nook or cranny unturned – stopping  just short of a full body search! Poor David, being the only one with a drivers license then had to do the walk (and talk) of shame.  And subject himself to being photographed with said orange.

The very kind couple who had also stopped to dispose of food at the bins told the quarantine folks that they’d seen us guzzling oranges and thought it must have been accidental smuggling – but alas this is no mitigation so now we await the letter bearing a fine of no less than $400 for a single orange!

Doing a quick over-nighter  in Loxton in a pretty little caravan park right on the Murray. Got the tent set up just before rain started so now showered and cozy hoping it will pass soon. The park has a fabulous camp kitchen which saves us  setting up our awning/cooking outside.

Will be an interesting pack up tomorrow when we head off for the Clare valley.

Well if cold nights are character building then our characters are now the size of Texas – last night was a doona and 2 woollen blanket night.  Awoke with frozen noses – stepping out to find thick ice on the car.

Set off on an early walk to the Mungo lookout to watch the sunrise – or one of us did while the other (initials DB) hid away under the covers. It was worth the cold and the tramp.

Managed to coax the old boy out of bed with the promise of coffee from the Mungo Lodge cafe then we set off on a  day self drive  tour of the park.

Landscape is absolutely amazing.- vast and scrubby.  Loads of Roos and we were treated to a mob of emus running across the road ahead of us- never giving a thought that we mightn’t stop and let them through.

The ‘China walls’ were my fave for the day. With very few people here we mostly had it it to ourselves and could sit and soak in the incredible landscape. 

Back to camp to re-charge in the afternoon sun and about to head down the road to the visitor centre which has showers!!

Addendum: while the visitors centre advertised showers they didn’t say ’cold, showers. now squeaky clean and enviro rated !

Not wanting to waste all that clean we are heading to Mungo Lodge for dinner

Writing this post from Mungo National Park campground- seem to be receiving texts so hoping that my phone has enough juice to upload a post.

Had planned to set off early this morning but was sooo hard to get out of our cozy bed into the freezing air outside.

The little fan heater we bought at bigW  last night fired up well and warmed the tent a little to ease the transition to the outside (a freezing – -1. David threw himself on his sword made coffee but it was almost cod by the time we got it to our lips – next trip some insulated mugs are a must.

So all in all after a camp cooked breakfast and a much longer than expected camper disassembly we finally hit the raad round 10.30.

We certainly put Dora through her paces today. About 100k to Mungo from Mildura- with the last 80 or so on corrugated dirt roads. Flat as anything, red as red dirt- we certainly feel like we are on the edge of the outback. 

David demonstrated hi his handymanhood – stopping to let some air out of the tyres so we didn’t get a flat- and so far so good.

Arrived in Mungo round 2 and did the full set up this time as we’ll be here a couple of days. A quick trip to the visitors centre to read about the rich Aboriginal history and to the old woodshed – quite beautiful until you read about how much damage the sheep did to the natural environment.

Now sitting by our campfire, bellies full of roasted veggies cooked in the camp oven and a glass of champas in hand- could life get any better?

Well after many months of anticipation Dora the Explorer finally embarked on her maiden tour yesterday- and we are lucky enough to be with her.

But the journey really started on Tuesday with a trip to the Scoresby weigh bridge- something to put on the bucket list if you’ve never done it.  It felt like the first day of prep- lining up alongside the ‘big kids’ (aka trucks) trying to at least look like we knew what we were doing. And yes, we had to be weighed too.  

After a quick trip home via the local hockey field to open up and rearrange we are now within legal weights- which means I  can ride in the front with David instead of sitting on top of the trailer!

So feeling confident we wouldn’t blow up the car we started out at 6.45 yesterday with Mildura in our sights.

We headed up the ‘back way’ to avoid freeways/peak traffic and within an hour we were on the open road somewhere near Whittlesea. 

Fired up our recently installed CB once out among trucks and roadworks – just let’s say we are learning a whole new language – the conversations that happen on the road would make your toes curl…… needless to say we are lurkers not participators. But great for hearing about traffic hazards et. 

Took us about 9 hours to get to Mildura including rest breaks.  

Best coffee: Wallan

Cutest town: Charlton

Best toastie: Sea Lake

Best sights: Narwill &Sea Lake silos (just as magical second time round).

Staying at small caravan park on outskirts of Mildura.  Very quiet and slept like logs despite -1 degrees outside. Currently under the covers hoping David will step out and put the Billy on (and he is hoping I’ll do the same).

Off to Mungo National Park for a couple of days- bush camping and off grid so no posts for a couple of days.