Thursday 14th - Saturday 16th

Hi all, it has been a busy couple of days so here is a catch up of the last few days.....

Thursday......

Drove up to Berri in the Riverland area. Felt a little like travelling through the outback with the flat landscape and the scrubby bushes. About 70k up the road we stopped at Morgan for lunch - a small town right on the Murray and at one stage was the busiest inland port in SA. Had lunch then went for a wander to the old wharf and around the old rail relics.




We were surprised to see that 1) the river was an odd sort of milky green colour and 2) the river was quite full at this town. Water is being held back in the loch system.

Another 105 kms and we found ourselves in Berri. The 'Riverside Caravan Park' is quite green and quiet - we though it would be packed. Swam in the pool, had showers and bed.


Friday

A warm day - Jeanette went for an early morning walk along the river edge - again the river here is the same milky green and very full. Apparently the minister for water resources in SA has her seat in this area and does her best to make sure the river is full here. If you go down to loch 1 you can just about walk accross the river according to locals.




Came back and had breakfast - we made egg and bacon muffins on the BBQ. Hung around the van for a while and then decided to go to the pool. Splashed about in the pool and then things took quite a turn for the worse. Gemma had been splashing at the edge of the toddler pool which was no deeper than her chest then she must have slipped over in the water - (something she has done a few times and just stood herself up again) and for whatever reason did not get up. Darrin was watching the kids play and had seen her standing up playing and when he turned back no more then just a few seconds later saw Gemma under the water. He grabbed her and she was breathing ok but she was a bit blue around the lips and chin and quite pale and floppy. Jeanette came back to the pool and we decided to call 000 just to be sure and thinking that they would come and see her say she was fine seeing as she was breathing ok and it would all be good. The ambos decided to take her to Berri hopsital just to be sure. At Berri hopsital - she was looked at by several medical staff, x rayed and blood tests were done, they decided to air lift her with the RFDS to Adelaide! The X-rays showed some water in her lungs and they didn't want to take any chances and the local hospital was not equipped or staffed to deal with this... so off to Adeliade for a stay overnight... Gemma slept the whole way in the plane. In the CECU they kept a close eye on her and on Saturday morning said she was fine and could go home again. So a long (4 hours) bus trip back to Berri to cacth up with our boys! We missed them. A freak accident and some very relieved parents and brothers and a lucky little girl.



Meanwhile back at the ranch Darrin and the boys had bounced on the jumping pillow and had been for a nice sunset walk on the Friday. On Saturday they climbed to the top of the old water tower in Berri for a view of the town, the river and across the flat lands to the horizon... no hills or mountains in sight. After this they drove to nearby Monash where they have an 'adventure park'... this began in the 60's as a 'normal' playground and steadily grew. At one time it had all sorts of challenges and equipment, but public liability and insurance wrecked all that and it was made 'safe'. Today it is bigger than your average park, has a maze and some larger than average play equipment.



Back in Berri and all together again - YAY!!! :-) We decided to go out for tea - no one could be bothered cooking - and then take the kids off to a surprise we had found out about. At the local pub Ethan chocked on his noodles and threw up in his dinner!! So back to the caravan to change him (Life is never simple with kids!!!) So then off to our surprise........the Cobdogla Irrigation and Steam Museaum which tonight had a little diesel train doing a run through the vineyards at sunset. For the princly sum of $4 for each adult we all enjoyed a 1/2 hour ride through the vines. The kids all loved it and so did we. Had a look around all thier old machinery as well including a 27 tonne steam traction engine. These steam engines were built in pairs and would roll at each end of the field with a long plough between two of them. They would also dig dams the same way and pull a large scooper. The second steam engine is in Swan Hill.



Zac entered a colouring competion at the caravan park a couple of days ago - He won FIRST prize!!!! He was given a toy Ferrari racing car, an icy pole and three lolly pops! YAY ZAC! We are so proud of you.