Monday 3 June. Griffith to Echuca

 We set off at 8.00 this morning, stopping for petrol and a photo of orange trees laden with fruit. The ones we bought at the market yesterday were delicious.

By the time we reached Jerilderie we were ready for a snack. I can recommend the hot cinnamon donuts at the bakery. Lovely and warming with a hot cuppa. It was 4 degrees when we left Griffith and about 8 or 9 by Jerilderie.

Today we saw a couple of emus, two wedge-tailed eagles and more dead kangaroos. There have been ploughed paddocks and newly sown crops, grape vines, orange groves, sheep, cattle and 

cotton. There were little bits of white cotton along the roadside for kilometres.

We stopped briefly in Deniliquin and a little later detoured 11 km to see a nice spot on the Edward River. The was a caravan park right there but no one around. Just the river and the birds. Ah, the serenity!

Then it was south to Echuca, crossing both the Campaspe and Murray on a huge new bridge. We walked the length of the main street and down to the river. There were paddle steamers and houseboats galore. A big touristy discovery centre is attached to the old wharf, all very different from the last time I was here. I guess the fences and buildings protect the wharf from vandals and graffiti but I liked it better in the “old” days.

It’s a freezing night but after dinner at the Royal Hotel we are now tucked up and cosy in our rooms with the heaters working hard.

Cotton

Perfect spot to sit and contemplate life.