The “Gentle” Mouseville Tour at Ngallo

June 2011

 

Well the June long weekend was looking quiet so Denise and I decided to take a trip over to the Big Desert State Park.  After our earlier trip to Murrayville at Easter we had checked out the old Ngallo Tennis courts which are now set up as a free camp ground and thought this would make an ideal club trip base.

Denise and I left on Thursday night, camping over night at the rest area between Wellington and Tailem Bend.   The morning started with the plans of an early start to get out to Ngallo and claim the camp site…..- well that was not to be as we were delayed by an early morning grey nomad chat fest.  An hour later we were on our way, catching up with George and Herma at Lameroo.  After a quick refuel at Pinnaroo we arrived at Ngallo in the early afternoon to find some Victorians were there already. How Rude! 

After setting up camp George and I went wood collecting.   After gathering the wood we had a quick chat with the Victorians & we arranged to share the fire place as they were only overnighting before continuing on down the border track. It was a dad and his 2 sons & nice folk at that.

 

By evening everyone had arrived, Andrew, Robert, Greg and Lone, Gerry and Bev & Peter and Sue lastly in their brand new van. (Viewing of it was conducted throughout the weekend- A reminder Guys….It doesn’t have a name yet & you know the club rule-Well more like Denise’s really, If he’s not named in one month the members will name him for you! Best quickly give him one, after all look at Jan and Dean’s van, she ended up being named Maud!

 

This night proved a bit of a test for Denise and Myself, but, well mostly for Denise. Our 2 beautiful cats where relishing the fact that there were so many little rodents around to chase. We have learnt that both of them a great mousers! Now ordinarily this would be just great, however…..We had a procession of the critters brought into the van all night long. They would play with one until it no longer was capable of moving and so they would just go get another one. It doesn’t say too much for the mice’s intelligence when they were running right into the cage of 2 playful predators.

The crunch came in the morning when we were making the bed and I told Denise to stand back as we pulled the covers back. Looking at me a little perplexed, all became quite clear when one of the cats lost mice scurried out of the bed! I had deliberated earlier on with myself as to whether to wake her up and tell her it was there, or just leave her sleeping with it and tell her when she awoke.  After all I thought what she didn’t know would not hurt her! “Ouch!.....Cup of tea dear???”

 

The day’s activities started after a slight delay (Herma told me it was George’s fault)  & we headed out into the State Park to the south.   The run took us to Coburn Pines camp ground then up the look out.  After enjoying the view we found a lunch spot out of the cool wind, were we all enjoyed a leisurely lunch, till I spilt a can of coke in my lap (not happy). It was the cat’s fault!  It’s always the cat’s fault!  

We then tackled the look out up one of the more difficult tracks, and only Gerry and Andrew managed to reach the top that way.  Diff locks made the difference this time as those without were not able to get up.

We continued on to Cactus Bore.   A call from Andrew advised us all that he had run a tyre off the rim on the turn to the bore.  A quick wheel change and we were back on our way to camp.   After a bit of wood gathering we retuned for happy hour.  Dinner followed happy hour then a session of dodging smoke and catching mice provided the evening entertainment.

With the previous night’s activities and her extra bed mate still firmly burned into her memory, Denise made sure  (much to the disgust of our 2 trusty mousers) that the entrance to the cat flap from outside into the van was well and truly closed off once it started getting dark. “Morton”- our van had definitely become a Mouse Free Zone!

Not to worry thought the mice, Robert could become the target tonight. Poor Robert was unable to totally seal his camper and the mice thought this might make a nice warm cosy home. He was awoken several times with them scurrying across his face and body, not to mention them getting into just about everything else they could- including the cup that had his teeth in it!! Maybe they were wondering how they would look on them? J  He was starting to think maybe he should ask if he could borrow a cat!  

Sunday saw us have again a leisurely start.   It was decided to spend the day looking at local points of interest around Murrayville for the day.   First stop was Kow Plains Homestead for a bit of historical viewing.  We then returned to Murrayville for lunch in the park with pies, pasties, fish and chips, and healthier options for some.   After digesting this gourmet feast most of us undertook the scenic walk through the mallee.   There was a little deviation from the set route, but we were able to locate the correct path and complete the walk.   Recent good weather had ensured the regrowth made the path hard to following in some places.

After the walk Greg & Lone and Andrew took Robert back out along the Fire Break for a play in his car whilst the rest of us went back to camp for more wood collection and eventually happy hour, then dinner and a session of dodging smoke and catching more mice….. gentle!  (Campsite joke! You had to be there).     

 

Monday, everyone packed up & began the journey home stopping as a group at Geranium for lunch.  We were told by a local that we had just doubled the population. After lunch we split with some us going home and some going with George to look for a prospective area for another club trip….but that’s another story…!

A great weekend was had by one and all. Denise and I would like to thank every one who came for another excellent weekend.

 

Stuart Grant.