We have a lovely site at Gol Gol. The caravan park has a jumping pillow and there aren’t many kids around so I might be able to have a turn without looking like I’m hogging it. I never had this problem when travelling Australia with Caleb. He was always good for a turn on the jumping pillow. We had some good jumping sessions. I think we will need to bring a grandkid or two with us in future. Although I didn’t see “No pets allowed” on the rules sign…I wonder if Henry likes bouncing….

We ventured out for coffee, which turned into breakfast. Well, a second breakfast for Ray, more bacon for The Captain and lovely fresh fruit salad for me.  It was so soul gratifying to sit in the sun, Ray reading the paper, me people watching, Henry dog watching. In no hurry. It felt like…retirement.

The Mildura wharf wasn’t far away so we ventured there, parked and walked along the water. There was a lot of European Carp (fish) that had been caught and left long the banks. Apparently it is illegal to throw them back into the water because it is an unwanted species in our waters. Even Henry wasn’t interested in them, he sniffed once and demanded to move on. “Yes Captain!”

The flood level of the most recent 2023 flood had been marked on the back of a shed by the Murray River. The level that it got to was higher than the flood in 1975 but not as high as the flooding in 1956.

A popular coffee shop had been set up out of a couple of containers to service the playground and visitors and was popular with walkers along the river. It looked busy so we figured the coffee must be good. Deciding to try it out, we pulled up some chairs at a table and I spotted a sign for a gallery next door. After coffee I left Ray and Henry to continue to enjoy the sun and I went to check out the local artists.

The gallery was amazing and had a range of all different types of artwork, acrylic paintings, drawings, water paint etc. I was blown away (as I always am) by the talent of artists who can create such beautiful work. I stood in awe looking at each individual piece, marvelling at how the artist took their interpretation from something visual to something real on the page.The connection between eye and pencil is something I will forever envy.

There were 4 ladies in the gallery sitting at tables. I assumed that they were rostered on as volunteers. One of them, Marj, came over and began explaining some of the techniques used in the artwork. I ended up with a guided tour of the gallery. It was so interesting. She then pointed out the artwork that was hanging up completed by ladies who were there in the gallery. These ladies were so talented. I was very impressed and told them that I was a budding artist but alas, I had no skill. When I taught preps and had to illustrate anchor charts in front of my class the students used to giggle, sometimes scoff outright, at my attempts to draw the word we were representing on the chart. 

“Mrs Siegersma, that doesn’t look like a horse. That looks like a turtle and that starts with a different sound. Can I do it?” They would plead one after the other.

Marj and her friends must have recognised my enthusiasm, if not my lack of talent, and started explaining how to look beyond the object and how to look for the shadows. Before I knew it, I was having an art lesson. I wished I could have stayed longer and continued my tuition but I knew The Captain would be keen to make a move so I left a donation, asked for a photo and bid my farewell.

I returned to “the boys” full of enthusiasm and plans to take up art classes in my retirement. Henry also had some exciting news to share. While they were sitting in the cafe waiting for me, the cafe owner asked if he would like some ham because he had been waiting so patiently while other dogs were causing a ruckus around him. Henry enjoyed a couple of slices of ham, free of course,  while Ray sipped on another coffee.

We each had a successful, eventful morning.