Third time lucky. We visited the Big Strawberry this morning and they are back in business. The lady told us that they had their big glass windows pushed in at an angle of 90 degrees - some broke in the process and much of their merchandise was ruined. We did enjoy our strawberry pancake so it was worth the wait. The SES had set up a mobile unit outside the shop and the SES people were still assisting people to cover damaged roofs and remove the broken trees and tree branches.
Enroute we stopped at Cactus Country where there are thousands of cacti. They were amazing and from all over the world. They started the collection 25 years ago. Got some really nice shorts of the cacti and particularly the flowers. The bees seemed to love the flowers and they were thick.
Drove on to Moama where we are staying at Maiden View Caravan Park. It is on the banks of the Murray River. This afternoon, I went for long walk along the banks. There are a number of beaches and this park has marina where the house boats are moored. We all expected it to be very hot but the weather is really quite pleasant at the moment.
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Friday, 22 March 2013
Farm Gate Trail
Soooo! we drove to the Boosey Creek Cheese Farm where we were able to sample quite a few different cheeses. Between the four of us, we bought one of each of the whole range of cheeses. Allan can't wait for cheese and bikky time tonight.
Next stop was the Rich Glen Olive Farm. What a find!!!! we sampled all their products and they were all very tasty and moorish. They had a really hot chilli sauce that I bought for Jeni as she loves hot chilli!! Walked to the orchid to take a picture of the olives trees and their were lots of Red Capped Robins flying around. Of course, I did not have my long lens on so had to go back, Managed to get a few shots but we were a long way away as they flew as soon as they heard us.
After lunch in Yarrawonga, we headed back towards Cobram/Barooga to see their 500 year old red gums. Crossed the Murray again and below was the forest of gums but the tornado had ripped through this area. The tracks were closed and it was all out with chainsaws, rakes and trucks at the local golf club.
On our return, we took the Cobram/Koonoomoo Road without realising that this road was badly hit and was not open yesterday. Trees broken and uprooted all along the side of the road. Clouding over so hope the rain stays away.
March 21 - 22 Albury - Tocumwal
Thursday 21st. We awoke to pouring rain and it rained until lunch time. We took the opportunity to visit Mamma Coffee shop where Allan bought one of their blends. Afternoon and showers came over and strong winds. After dinner, I was sitting in the van when the wind started in earnest!!!! It really blew - was a tad anxious but it abated after 1/2 hour or so.
It was not until we woke and listened to the news that we heard about the tornado that had hit the nearby towns. Some of the accounts of the strength of the wind left us amazed - one man said that it lifted his Toyota Landcruiser up into the air and onto two wheels.
Allan & I drove out to the Wonga Wetlands and spent an hour or so there. It has been really well set up with hides. Saw lots of wrens but they were very elusive.
We then set out for Tocumwal via Rutherglen as we intended to try the famous pies! However, the electricity was out in many parts of the town so no famous pies. Windows were blown out and a whole brick wall had collapsed. Workers ere everywhere trying to clean up. At Rutherglen Estates Winery, the guy told us that their winery had been hit and the glass shattered on the tractors.
The worst devastation was at Bundalong - there were huge trees down everywhere and in one paddock, a whole row of young gums were just chopped off about 8 feet of the ground. We intended going to the Big Strawberry at Koonoomoo for one of their famous pancakes but it was closed as well. This area seemed to have been hit hard as well.
We are in Tocumwal tonight and will stay another night. Hope to do the Farm Gate Trail tomorrow.
It was not until we woke and listened to the news that we heard about the tornado that had hit the nearby towns. Some of the accounts of the strength of the wind left us amazed - one man said that it lifted his Toyota Landcruiser up into the air and onto two wheels.
Allan & I drove out to the Wonga Wetlands and spent an hour or so there. It has been really well set up with hides. Saw lots of wrens but they were very elusive.
We then set out for Tocumwal via Rutherglen as we intended to try the famous pies! However, the electricity was out in many parts of the town so no famous pies. Windows were blown out and a whole brick wall had collapsed. Workers ere everywhere trying to clean up. At Rutherglen Estates Winery, the guy told us that their winery had been hit and the glass shattered on the tractors.
The worst devastation was at Bundalong - there were huge trees down everywhere and in one paddock, a whole row of young gums were just chopped off about 8 feet of the ground. We intended going to the Big Strawberry at Koonoomoo for one of their famous pancakes but it was closed as well. This area seemed to have been hit hard as well.
We are in Tocumwal tonight and will stay another night. Hope to do the Farm Gate Trail tomorrow.
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