Howdy!

Sorry for the delay in getting this update out but the printer was closed for the Xmas and New Year break.

Welcome back. We meet again in Cyberspace. This time for my Update #11 covering November and December 2021.

You know the drill, sit back with a drink or three and read away, or not.

Yippeeeee! My Atlanta Braves won the World Series Baseball. First time since 1995. They have been there but not good enough on the day. This time, YES!

November started off quite busy around base camp as Melbourne had opened up and allowed to travel into the regions and it was also the Melbourne Cup fake long weekend. A couple of vacant spots and cabins that had been cancelled last minute due to bad storms around VIC including Melbourne. Some places and houses around Melbourne had major damage and stopped a lot of people going away. No problems here.

I know the weather should come last but hey, this is me and I change things a lot so I am going to do the weather report now for November.

Rain, rain, go away! Like many up and down the eastern states I think enough is enough already, for a while anyway. It just didn't give up. Rain some light some heavy most days with varied wind speeds and directions at times as well. Yep, enough, please weather gods. Sadly, for the flooded areas, rain is forecast for a couple of months. Even a couple of local ducks flew the coop in search of dryer lands. The weather Gods did let their guards down a little during the last few days of November, at least where base camp is anyway and lovely sunny weather was enjoyed. The bad stuff is not far away again though. Temps for the months ranged from 5c-15c overnight and 18c-31c during the days so temp wise things are on the up and up. It wont be long and we will be complaining its too hot.  

With relaxation of Covid rules and business opening up more the three of us up the back in riff raff row went out for a pub lunch on a couple of days and had Friday night happy hour in the camp kitchen and meal together. One Friday was fish and chips so one of us rang the local take away to place an order and they had no Flake. Now this was the second week in a row and both busy in the area with people staying. They had a couple of other flavors but none of us liked them so a phone call was made to another fish and chip shop in Wangaratta and an order placed. I will say here and now that they were the best Fish and Chips had while staying in N E VIC so have won me. If you are in the area and have the taste for F&C, give Appin Street Fish and Chips a try, the one next to the bakery. The other Friday night happy hour meal was Pizza from the local bakery. I try to buy local as much as I can but the local take away shop doesn't seem to want business so have lost me sorry. Oh! Those lunches out, were at the Milawa Pub and very, very nice indeed with average prices and good menu and only about 20 mins from base camp so close enough to be local. Not only a nice place and meal I felt covid safe also, so means heaps at this point in time.

The 11/11 arrived and was Remembrance Day so I headed off to Benalla and watched the Covid Safe (well as safe as can be) service there. I don't always get to a service to remember those fallen so always stop at 11.00am and stand quietly under my OZ flag I proudly fly along with a minutes silence. A good job done by Benalla so well done all involved.   

I was inside the aluminium tent one day having a poppy nap, yes, I'm a poppy, so allowed OK! On arising from and in that sort off half-asleep half-awake type of feeling I ventured outside and was sitting in the shade when I noticed someone walking up the drive in my direction. It was Roger (Oldigger). He had set up his van a hop skip and jump away and called in to say Hello and stay one night on his way to Bright, N E VIC and just down the road. Roger never fails and calls in to say hi if ever going this way. He is a good friend and I tell you that for free. A good chat was had and he also joined in our happy hour that was in the camp kitchen that night. Thanks for calling in Roger and the chat, always enjoyed.  

Later in the month my friendly next-door neighbors left to go to SA as that border was open and they had family there. They will be missed in riff raff row and I tell you that for free, Marion named the back row riff raff row and it has stuck. You will know Marion if she is around your part of the world due to her loud give away laugh. Travel safe Marion and Allan. You are friends for life. The Wednesday lunch continued at Milawa, in fact, a table was permanently booked at that stage. We do think of you though Marion and Allan.

Now, where did that month of November go? Who knows? Cos, I don't. No sooner it started and it was finished and in the history books. If it was a movie, I believe the saying would be That's a wrap.

November done and dusted found December making an appearance with grey skies and storms predicted the first day. I knew it couldn't last! Enough on that for now though.

The month moved along but I didn't. I am still in N E VIC hanging out in the Wangaratta area to see what takes place Covid wise. That said not a lot happened through the month so not a lot to report. The Wednesday group lunch took place each Wednesday, it did and on a Wednesday too. Very enjoyable and in good company. However, like all good things they come to an end so did the Wednesday lunches. The plan was, to keep away from crowded Bistros during the silly season etc so we will more than likely start them up again after the end of January 2022.

I did get a few solo drives in though until after Xmas and finally, a visit to see my daughter and grandsons down south of Melbourne for a Xmas catch up but before the big day as I wasn't going to see them Xmas day. However, my daughter in her wisdom suggested to keep me away from Melbourne and any possible risk of unwanted Covid hitchhikers, that we meet up at the Healesville Sanctuary as it was closer for me anyway and out in the open. I hadn't been there for many moons so seemed a good idea. That said, we decided not to do that as there was a big adventure playground at Yarra Glen and all in the open, yes, I can here you, big kid. Not really but I am out in the playground so all good.  

I ventured off on the Thursday before Xmas to said adventure park and its well, BIG. They are certainly making playgrounds different to when I was a kid even when my kids were kids. A good day out with grandkids and my youngest daughter and even played Santa as I wouldn't see them Xmas day. All done it was time to head in our own directions, me north and daughter and boys south. Its always good to see them. I hope Covid permitting to see them again before the kids go back to school and also see my son in-law. OH! MY daughter must get her wisdom from me because it was a great idea :)

Next thing you know it was Xmas day and the park was nearly empty, I was the only one here on the day as any others had gone out for the day. I try and stay put over long weekends etc as no real need to add to the thousands on the roads. I can do things other days. I don't go without either as I cooked some lovely Pickled Pork with mash vegies for Xmas lunch as that leaves cold Pickled Pork for toasted sangas for a few days. Yum! That is my Xmas treat. That night those that were here camped arrived back and I tell you that wasn't many due to Covid and cancellations.

Boxing Day arrived and wow! Did I say Covid stopped people going away? The park was full including cabins by nightfall. That was the first time the place was full since back in 2019. Busy, busy, busy. Most people stayed on after Xmas with only a few sites available. Funny how the owners are walking around with smiles on their faces. I hope it lasts for their sake. Im sure all the businesses around N E VIC are busy too.

On the weather front, it has been mild over night with 10c-17c and hot during the days with 25c-37c, yep, its getting hotter now. Not much wind or rain for December so no complaints from me. Even though I said back in November we could do with a break in rain for a while, we now need some as very dry everywhere you go and look. Just a nice rainfall not damaging thankyou weather gods.

The 31^st arrived and New Years Eve. I was feeling a little off color to be honest and for a couple of days really, as a good friend would say. I was feeling a bit delicate so spent the night in bed and didn't hear a thing all night. Everyone behaved and were happy campers.

Well, that brings this update to an end and not only that but as well even, 2021 to an end also and sealed away in the history books. So, until next we meet, keep safe out there and see ya next year.

A few pics I gathered up below as usual.