“Deja vu all over again”

04 May “Deja vu all over again”

For ten years, around Easter time, Maggie and I have camped with friends on a farm adjacent to the Murrumbidgee River (NSW). Some of our friends have camped there for many more than 10 years.

So this slice of “Paradise” is very familiar to us. “It’s like deja vu all over again” (Yogi Berra). Nevertheless each year we return and are usually surprised by something new and magical.

This year the river was higher, wider and running much faster, as authorities were “spilling” gigalitres of water from the upstream dam.

To camp in our slice of “Paradise” you must have permission from the property owner. With permission, 6 couples in 5 vans (one obscured behind another in the pano below) and a tent (not shown) camped there this year.

Over thousands of years the river has carved out this relatively narrow valley, so that even in mid-April the sun rises late and sets early, creating a premature wintery climate.

On a couple of the mornings we were offered kinder temperatures, due to overnight cloud cover, but warm clothing, a cup of coffee, a good book, a warming fire and someone to chat to were still appreciated.

You might wonder what we did all day to occupy ourselves in such an isolated place? Walking, talking, van repairs, playing disc bowls, and just relaxing to take in the view were the main activities … oh, I almost forgot fishing.

Another daytime activity for me, capturing photos of the surroundings … dead and alive.

Time out of the valley at “The Sir George” hotel in Jugiong provided opportunity for the following photos …

Happy hour started each day at around 4.30 to 5 pm beside the main fire. By that time of day it was already getting cold again.

The evening skies were varied, from clear and full of stars to colourful or threatening.

After all of the excitement I’ll say goodnight, it’s already past my bedtime.