Good news, the calm did indeed come, pretty much as soon as the doors were shut, we had ordered our customary Macca’s breakfast to go and had picked up the footy that we accidentally left at Nanna’s house. Have I checked my work emails?… maybe, but I haven’t answered any because there was nothing urgent… although I need to quickly go and put on my out of office… oops.

Ok I am back… I did manage to get most of my ‘before we leave’ tasks completed, which has also helped with the calm. We have left behind a very sick Grandad, but we know we have gone with his blessing, which is nice to hold on to, but is still difficult. Nevertheless, we are on the road and the calm has arrived.

This time we were better prepared, even packing a heater for the trailer… I am not sure if this is cheating or not… although I don’t know of too many travelers with three kids, including a one-year-old, that wouldn’t take one. I can confirm it has been an excellent addition to our set-up.

This time we were better prepared, even packing a heater for the trailer… I am not sure if this is cheating or not… although I don’t know of too many travelers with three kids, including a one-year-old, that wouldn’t take one. I can confirm it has been an excellent addition to our set-up.

Echuca is very pretty, and I had forgotten just how pretty it is. It was an excellent first stop with the kids as they got to explore the heritage village by the old wharf, which was thankfully closed, so they could explore without pressure to purchase, and without crowds. We stayed at the NMRA Echuca Holiday Park, which had not only an epic water park (ready for a non-winter visit) but a good-sized playground and an excellent camp kitchen, which is that much more important when winter camping. It’s been perfect for an overnight stop as we start our five-day journey through the bush.