Around Oz the First Time - Chapter 31 - Lake Argyle Day 3

Feeling much better today, I rise early and attack some marketing things for Robyn’s Food Labelling Experts. Today is another “lay” day, which will mean there should be plenty of time for lounging in the easy chairs and napping, but before that a little “work” won’t hurt.

On the bus trip yesterday, the driver told of fish being caught below the slipway. My fellow travellers know me too well and giggle when I suggest I might go and try out some changes in gear rigging prior to our next legs which will allow us more attempts to secure that elusive barra. I have a telescopic rod which presently has a small reel with 5kg line on it, totally unsuitable for a fight with anything that might be considered worthy of this area. It has in the past, in its present format stopped in excess of 1 metre carp but getting them to the bank is one thing, getting them out is  another. In that event we had to resort to 2 friends having to get a towel and me swimming the fish onto it and them (in the water) lifting it out.

Hmmm not much of an idea in croc infested waters. I have seen videos and pictures on Facebook, sent to me by one of my cousins, of anglers running away dragging barramundi from crocs at Cahills Crossing and the line snapping leaving the prize on the crossing for the croc to devour. Not sure if the line managed to remain intact how far the croc would have persisted with the chase. At least there, space was available to run, whereas at the spillway there will not be nearly as much room.

Also on the discussions at the Silver Leader early morning beer garden discussion group, was the antics of the singer from last night. Forbsy has recorded the Cane Toads song and is kicking himself he did not record the other more risqué one.

There is much movement in the park today. Many vans in, sprinklers on empty sites turned on, laying the dust as vans move out. Many of the vans in our little avenue are gone, meaning a whole heap of new friends to meet during the day perhaps.

Back in the van, I decide to backup the photos to date. I dig out the external hard drives and create directories by day and start the process. When I have done the first one, I connect the second and simply copy what I have done to the first across to the second. There are just over 3,000 photos and videos to move. I have time to finally have that shower. The process is done by the time I finish. I allowed myself the luxury of a longer shower today, whereas so far I have simply taken the soap to my hair, I allow myself the time to shampoo and condition.

Rosalie evidently is intending to spend the day “on the grassy knoll”. Robyn has started a load of washing, then I suspect will join her but there are things to be done and the best laid plans of mice and men can always be way laid.

The heat today is more oppressive than most we have experienced to date, the sun has a bite and a half. Robyn is keen to try the infinity pool, although each time I have tipped my toe in it, a toe was enough, cold and me do not mix very well. We find Silver Leader and Rosalie outside the fenced pool area enjoying some shade and the view, which from most vantage points in the park can only be described as incredible.

They are contemplating whether or not it is time for ice creams. Robyn is keen for the pool so we leave them for now. I think it will be smart to get super slow motion shots of Robyn entering the crisp pool water but I am thwarted as she uses the very slow “I will acclimatise at my pace” entry procedure which in fact is at super slow motion making my efforts pointless and make it look like I have simply taken a picture.

She finally adjusts and moves across to the other side, much of it on the tops of her toes, still acclimatising, and I get the shots I am looking for. But the cold water has had another effect. Whilst carrying the washing to the laundry, Robyn has strained some muscles in her back and the cold water has made them contract more, giving her pain. She is struggling to sit and wants to lay on the grass.

During the morning a son of a good friend has asked could he call, not wanting to disturb us on holidays, has some issues since his mother passed away. It is great to have the time to talk to him, go through his issues, without the need to record time (for billing) or need to get back to more pressing work. The call goes for more than half an hour and although his worries are very pressing, being able to sit and talk to him was as therapeutic to me as I suspect it was for him.

After the call I wander around the park taking photos of the flora, as another friend of mine is always looking for flower shots to paint. Not only are there flowers but also different coloured leaf formations that may be of interest to her. I have an ulterior motive; I want to snap a few shots of a van that came in this morning.

There are monsters in the park today, 2 in fact. The first a Cedar Rose, the other an Ocean Breeze, both monster caravans. The Cedar Rose is adjacent to us and came in just after we did. It is like a bogey trailer from a semi. The Chev that tows it has the rigging of a prime mover in the boot of the vehicle and the front of the van (where I suspect one of the beds may be located), links into it over the tray.

The second, the one I am on the hunt for just now, is somewhat of an enigma. With all the weight issues we had readying ourselves for the trip, here is a Nissan Patrol towing a van which must be in excess of 30 feet in length, has 4 axles and because of its size I find it diagonally parked across 2 sites. Just as I find it the Missing Link texts me about the Cedar Rose, which I had ribbed him about given the plethora of grandchildren invading their lives presently. I send him photos of the Ocean Breeze and his immediate response is similarly down the line of my original thoughts – how the hell is that under the weight limits. The Nissan patrol even carries a small boat on the roof.

I return to the van to find Robyn sprawled on the bed, trying to get comfortable. I turn the air conditioning on and leave her to sleep, later I will collect the washing and make the bed around her (or when she might wander to the loo).

Tonight, we have decided to go full hog on the food. Forbsy has a butterflied, lamb shoulder roast he wants to share, and I will contribute Tuscan Meatballs. The Meatballs are a bit fiddly to prepare but we have plenty of time today.

All the ingredients are available in the van, save a few ancillary spices, but I am never one to not improvise when it comes to cooking. I am soon up to my elbows mulching the mince, egg and the “secret herbs and spices”. Robyn is laying on the bed trying to rip the paint off the walls with her snoring, the best place for her to be for now with her pain. I have made 2 batches so I will brown them separately and then convert to a much larger pot to do the final cooking. This is my first real chance to try out the vans cooking facilities.

We never had huge kitchen areas in any of the houses we have had but this is still a challenge in the confined space of the van. When I am done, I notice I have made less mess than I usually do for a one pot wonder chef, forced to clean and dispose as I went along, not a problem at all, Robyn will be impressed.

As the roast goes on the meatballs are ready on slow simmer, across 2 burners on the stove. Robyn stirs and suggests she needs a cup of tea, thankfully the meatballs are done. Whilst she is making her tea, I collect utensils, drinking receptacles, libationary liquids and other equipment of the repast and set up at the Silver Leader Beer Garden, where the food will be consumed.

The meatballs disappear as soon as they appear, except for a small portion which will make my breakfast. The roast is smelling more and more ready. Silver Leader is trying out a new probe to ensure the roast is cooked right through. Get this, Silver Leader has 2 phones, his main phone with Optus which except for one particular time, has proven virtually useless since we cross the NT border and a Telstra one for emergencies. Both now have the app for the probe in the meat which is a blue tooth setup and only the Optus phone, which has no reception, will link to it.

The phone buzzes and beeps, the roast apparently is ready. We will let it sit while I quickly go and microwave some greens to go with the sweet potato and carrots being roasted in the Webber. Robyn now into her second glass of wine can stay in her comfy chair and relax, I have this under control (which always worries her). I forage around in the freezer, find some peas and corn, baby peas and brussels sprouts, yep that will do and go about heating them in the microwave. After a few attempts I think I have it, the finger test reveals they are hot enough and I return to the beer garden. Because of the entrée no one is in a ravenous hurry to devour the lamb so my exploits with the greens goes un-jibed.

The probe has ensured the meat is cooked completely, in fact for the connoisseur of fine cooking we all agree, perhaps a little too far but it is still a dish to make you wonder what the rich people are eating tonight! The Missing Link is called but does not pick up.

Food devoured, Forbsy has the ingredients for bubble and squeak in the morning with what little is left over. I have sent Robyn to bed and amass our collection of washing up and return again to the sounds of wall stripping from the bed.

A day of nothing planned, got a lot done. Tomorrow we have the long trip to Kununurra, should be all of 90 minutes, so it will not be a breakneck early start like it was in Katherine, where we had in excess of 500km in front of us. We will be looking forward to seeing the fruits of the Ord River Dam in the form of the irrigation areas this impoundment supplies, as well as the fishing possibilities Silver Leader suggests.