Perricoota Vines Retreat Moama

... We were properly impressed with a logging truck made 100% out of Red Gum wood - even the wheels.

On our way out of town we stopped at a riverside park and flushed out a flock of cockatoos. They set up such a racket that you would have thought we were in an African jungle! And to add to the ambiance, we heard a steam paddle boat approaching and I half expected to see Humphrey Bogart rounding the bend in the African Queen. Instead it ...

... thing didn't really matter though because as soon as we got to the racecourse we all took our shoes off and spent the rest of the day kicking about the grass in our barefeet.
We had hired a marquee so that we would have our own private area, with a table and chairs for us - it was really good and close to the finishing line - and the bar - and it also gave us a place to store our bags and shoes without running the risk of them getting robbed. We made it our mission ...

... for me! I had fun wondering the quaint shops around town for a while. Ended up going to 3 playgrounds today which the kids had fun playing with the other kids there. It's sad how much of our trip we look and assess the suitability of playgrounds... guess we've become a bit of an expert on the subject. Don't think many have come anywhere near the likes of the one near home at Donnybrook.

... so after setting up we headed into Echuca (we are staying about 5km out of town to save some bucks) to do some sightseeing. Started at the National Holden Museum as part of a packaged deal. The whole time there we both thought of a friend, Dion, especially when the Monaro's were around. Jeremy saw a few of his dream cars and the boys learnt a little important history.

... garlic, olives, yummy cheese, fresh turkish bread, and oranges picked the day before! This therefore demanded a picnic 30 mins drive west at the Torrumbarry weir. It was sunny, no wind, 21 degrees, and for winter felt quite warm. The local Wattle birds kept us entertained as well. Torrumbarry Weir has a great interpretive centre and we walked across the top of the weir. We found the 'fish ladder ...

... We got to go on an old paddle steamer & train & went in to the underground pub & escape route. We nearly got locked in to a café/pub because the owners didn't know we were upstairs. That would have been a bit freaky hehehe. We than went in to a Big W for the first time in weeks. There was nothing there which was a bit of a shame. We than bludged back at the motel & went & had dinner out & than went to bed. Tomorrow would be our trip on the paddle steamer.

... stick at it. Jacko didn't speak to me at all while we were cutting and packing. I think he's annoyed because we took an extra 45 mins to pick this morning. Charlie came over to talk that evening, he was a little drunk. Charlie is an outback guy who travels the harvest trail. He's a little strange to say the least. We've overheard him talking to his dog saying things like. "Grinna, do you know how to make white sauce? Your nothing if you cant cook" and ...

Day 2 and 3 Things didn't really improve after that first day. The second day we didn't work as it was raining. The third day we picked in the field next to us. (a much smaller filed with tomatoes, zucchinis (courgettes), peppers and chillies). It was a little cooler and at least their was shade in this field. However we were chucking about 75% of the tomatoes away and we were working to fill 2 bins. The idea was to get $100 to spend on beer. I don't like beer so I was really working for ...

Well we have left the farm after about 2 weeks. It was ****. I am never picking tomatoes again or staying on a farm in a tent!!! Day 1 The first day we spent picking tomatoes was in 40 degree heat. The work itself isn't that hard. There were hardly any tomatoes as it's the start of the season and we were throwing more away than we were putting in the buckets. All very well but you don't get paid for the ones you throw away. The tomato plants are on the ground so you are ...