Lake Eildon delivers

Yesterday was the day that we finally set off properly on our journey, after 3 weeks of visiting family and friends around Melbourne…and then came the rain! And a little more rain…through the Yarra Valley, Kinglake, Yea and then a stop in Yarck for a pie and latte (apparently that’s what you do when you go through Yarck…and we weren’t complaining!)  Yuck it certainly was not! Then through Bonnie Doon (how’s the serenity!) Mansfield and onto the back of Lake Eildon. We find our turn off to the first lakeside free camp, only to find it’s a dirt road. First day – dirt road…not happy!! The Campermate app nor Google told us it was a dirt road, and as we sheepishly continue, the road worsens. Corrugated, pouring rain, pot holes, steep edges, soft slippery mud….we consider turning back, but the road is too narrow to turn safely without getting bogged and so with my 4wd prior experience and Frank’s determination, needless to say, a hissy fit entails!! “We can’t turn here, we’ll get bogged” “No it’s fine” “It’s NOT fine!” Crisis averted, we continue a little further, still raining 5km in total, GPS tells us it’s a further 5km, and at 20kmp/h, this is going to be a longgggg drive. Then, like an oasis, we see a campground we weren’t expecting and decide to pull in and park up!

Literally lakeside, 180 degree views, mirror like water and a nice flat place to park. We set up a some shelter van side from the rain, have a wander, then it’s time for a lake dip shower! Wolly being the little cutie that she is decides to join me on my venture and comes into the water. I get out, grab my towel, she looks at me with a big smile and finds a tiny patch of greenery to roll on! Bathe together, dry together!

Despite the rain (and FLIES!!!), we manage to forage for enough (somewhat damp) firewood, some rocks, notepaper from the van and attempt to light a fire. I make the first attempt and am so pleased with my tee-pee of timber. I run off to get some hairspray and a lighter to get this baby going. A nice display of flames, but somewhat useless….Frank has a go. Still not much luck. I singe my hair in the process (note to self: tie your hair back before attempting to light a fire) We head out to gather some grass, a little more paper later and voila – we have a fire! Out comes the frypan, some steak and halloumi. Chef Frank get’s it just right, crispy edge, pink centre, while I prepare a salad with fresh herbs from our van garden. Add a glass of red wine…not too shabby for the first night.

Coming back into our camp after rinsing off in Lake, I feel a stick hit my big toe….ouch, just ignore it, the pain will pass….OH MY GOODNESS the pain isn’t passing!! Look down, I’d kicked the mozzie coil stick and it’s now sitting on my big toe burning through it – YEOWWWW!!!

Time to check out the loo (still raining) Frank’s already relaxing in the van so I take a can of mace as protection (for the whole 20m walk!) Get there, lift the lid…it’s like a horror movie! A gush of these black flying ant things comes gushing out. There is NO way I am putting my butt on that. Scurry back in the rain, skidding in my thongs down the muddy path….bang….fall down like a sack of shit. Proceed to the van, open the door, show Frank my mud hands…have a giggle, then proceed to the “bush toilet”….

Relaxing night, no internet connection for UFC, but thankfully we have season 1 of Vikings saved on the laptop!

Next morning, still raining, get up bleary eyed and pour some juice into last night’s ouzo and creamy soda glass, take a sip. Hmmm….that tastes weird…2nd hand ouzo glass with juice – not so good. Take a big gulp….holy crap….that is disgusting!!! Last night the rain was too heavy to go outside to brush teeth and we were too lazy to turn on the power for the pump to get running water in the kitchen, so we just listerine rinsed the mouth and both spat into one of the glasses….yes….that would be the glass I just poured my juice into!!

Moral of the story – always brush your teeth before bed!!

Here’s hoping day 2 goes a little smoother.

JT xo