Back to GreenS Lake for another visit.

You might remember I became a GreenS Lake Refugee at the end of my last update? Well, I along with others we were able to return 1/1/18.

Welcome to February but as this is my January update come with me on a little journey back to the start of said month.

The time came to return to the lake. I arrived after waking the birds, at the big plastic water barriers on the Midland Highway that block GreenS Lake Road to find no one there, strange I thought, something is wrong here, as in previous years there has been at least a dozen people lined up waiting to get in. I pinched myself to see if I was actually awake and not dreaming but I was awake and actually there in real life not dream land.  A couple of grey nomad friends and myself were first in the cue and right in front of the barriers. Ben, who has a jet ski I have got to know at Greens over the years arrived a short time after that and took up fourth spot.

I must add here that I have not been feeling very confident about getting the same spot back this year as it would be three years in a row that I would do so. Me being negative I spose but being in pole spot on the front of the grid I was feeling very confident.

Two workers turned up late morning and emptied then removed the barriers and waved us through. Yes, the long wait was over. I was second in line followed by 100's of happy campers and boaters, yes, 100's. As I arrived at the top of the lake there was the same spot just waiting for me, YES! You little ripper. I slipped onto the same spot I had earlier and started to level the van and remove from Collie. As I hadn't had breaky yet, don't ask why or you might get a silly answer, I decided to have breaky for lunch then set about setting up camp again.

The rest of the day was hot and I spent some time in the lake to keep cool while setting up. That worked well so all good. I had set up most things by late afternoon.

So, there I was along with the 100's of happy campers back at GreenS Lake ready to enjoy the good weather and whatever comes my way.

It's hard out here! I know, I have said that before so won't say it again, oooops, just did, sorry.  

Not long after the new year arrival I was in bed late one night on a total fire ban day watching a movie I had recorded on a USB stick a couple of weeks ago. Being an action movie, I like the sound up so had my ear plugs in oblivious to the world outside when I noticed my mobile phone lit up so checked it and I had been sent a warning by 'Vic Emergency' saying there was a bush fire on GreenS Lake Rd. Struth, that's close, in fact I'm just at the end of said road so jumped out of bed and looked outside. There just on the other side of the launching ramp and about 20mts from me was a large camp fire burning away. Mmmm, yes you read right above, it was a total fire ban. Noticing nothing else I crawled back in the cot and continued watching the movie, again with the ear plugs in when about 15 mins later I was surrounded by two fire trucks with lights flashing away and lighting up the launching ramp. Again, I rushed outside to find one truck down the launching ramp with a fire fighter putting out the camp fire and not very happy at all. I knew the feeling. After putting that fire out, they headed of down the track to yet another camp fire. The second truck headed down the other way to yes, another camp fire. That truck came back and parked alongside me with lights still flashing and people out chatting so I went over and asked what was going on. I was told they have just put out four camp fires on a total fire ban day and they were not happy at all.

I noticed the people on other side of ramp noticed me talking to the fire fighters but I thought nothing of it. Back to the movie.

Next morning, I had heard they were blaming me for ringing the CFA as someone must have for them to know about the fires anyway. I made it quite clear I DID NOT RING ANYONE and that I was actually watching a movie with ear lugs in. I don't think they believed me though, TOO BAD!

Yes, you did read above I was contacted about a 'bush fire' and I spose they were burning branches etc from the bush. Obviously, a camp fire comes under the same heading on 'Vic Emergency'.

The next Night, Saturday, the same group on the other side of the ramp had about 10 adults and two little kids there and played very loud music along with another huge camp fire until 3.00am, morons. "NOT HAPPY JAN". Luckily Monday arrived and they had all gone by lunch time. YES.

A GN friend arrived soon after and she set up on the same spot as the group so at least it will be reasonably quiet while she is there. It was also good to see her again too.

Speaking of GN's, as other months they have arrived to say hi and leave or stay for a day or two and in a couple of cases longer. It is always good to catch with GN friends. Thanks to all of you, you know who you are.

Not only the fire talked about above but exactly one week later it was another total fire ban and the same thing happened. Three fires this time. Some people just don't care.

Now, I hear you ask if they got fined etc? NOPE and nothing else done about it either that I am aware off to this point in time. If it was me in charge, I would have thrown the book at 'em and told them to pack up and get out that night, bugga 'em. I have seen the devastation caused by fires and was involved in the Ash Wednesday fires at Co..atoo, VIC. Not nice.

Moving right along and the Australia day long weekend arrived with the masses starting to arrive mid-week and by Friday 26/1/18 the place was packed then the day trippers started arriving each day for three days and was packed even more. Surprisingly no trouble that I heard off and no noise late at night, that affected me anyway. Until.

The Saturday arrived and this very large group of 20-30 of, let me just say people that use English as a second language arrived. All men and only one young lady and mixed ages of girls and boys, heaps of 'em. They decided to take over the launching ramp area yelling and screaming all the time and had two large boats and Jet Skis they just left close to the shore line in front of those camped on the West side of the ramp. All those kids causing problems all day as well. I was lucky I spose not to have then in front of me on the other side of the ramp. Until. Yes again. Gee, that 'until' word is nearly as bad as someone saying "It was agreat night BUT" Anyway the Sunday arrived and they all turned up again armed with boat, Kayaks and jet skis and took over both sides of the ramp this time. Small arguments took place with campers and who seemed to be the leaders in the parent group but nothing serious. 4.30pm came and they started to pack up and gone by 5.30pm. Most other weekend campers had also gone by then too so back to some normality at GreenS lake.

Also, and as well even on Australia day itself two young blokes arrive with a flashy Holden ute with a home-made raft on the back. They had spent the last two days building it and came out for the launching ceremony and maiden voyage. It floated too even. A well-constructed vessel for sure and a great time had. I got talking to them and offered to send them some pics by email. I did and Dylan was wrapped. Awesome he reckons.  With his permission, some pics are below.

Happy hours have continued through January but I have decided to back of a little as every night is getting too much for me, yep, I must be getting old for sure. I usually only do happy hour from 4-6pm anyway (what happened to the HOUR?) others might keep going. We are all enjoying the playground in our own ways. The heat finally got to me on the 29^th and had to let Genny out the back of the Collie for the first time this summer. The van was nice and cool after a couple of hours and Genny was back in the Collie by 8.00pm all safe and sound. A cool change arrived not long after. I'm sure Genny will make other appearances in the not too distant future.

Weather, yep, hot bl..dy hot and humid most of the month really but good also until the Aussie Day long weekend when it got too much for me. Temps for the month were high 30's nudging low 40's during the days and low teens to mid-20's overnight. Yep HOT. That said, the last two days have been cooler, yes, a bit of respite.

So, there you have it, my January, hope yours was good to you.

I am thinking of not doing a February update and combine that with the march update, time will tell.

Keep safe everyone.

DOUG

Some pics below as usual. I think they tell the story without any info on them.

Edit.....Usual cut and paste problems hopfully sorted. Sorry about one large pic but couldn't solve that problem.