Day 81, 20 September 2009, Mildura to Bendigo

Woke up and consulted my watch: 5:08 AM.

Pam asked the time and I told her. "Gee it's light for 5:00." she commented. "According to my phone, it's 7:08." Pam's always kind, not adding the implicit "You idiot." that would not have been out of place.

My watch had decided we were heading back to Perth and removed the two 45 minute and the one 30 minute adjustments I had made over the past few days.

We got the time sorted out, packed up, then followed the Sturt and Murray Valley Highways to Swan Hill. Our old friend Ken Jillard lives there.

Ken moved from Traralgon to Swan Hill around 1980. I had heard about Ken while talking to a bloke in the caravan park in Peterborough on 4 July and again while speaking to 'Clocky' on 14 September in Esperance.

Ken's 80, but his reputation is alive and well. (So is Ken, I should add.) Over his homemade scones, he explained how he doesn't do much these days. Except for travelling, playing in local musical productions, writing music and fixing computers, that is.

Ken impressed me years ago when, over a few pots, he noted that "You couldn't have the perfect glue. You'd never get it out of the tube." These ideas stay with a person.

On another occasion, we were discussing contributing my FB Holden to the Royal Exchange Hotel's Good Friday Appeal for a "Car Bash-O-Thon." Ken offered his Kay Street house for a "Paint-O-Thon". And before that he'd host a "Scrape-O-Thon" and a "Sand-O-Thon".

He's that kind of bloke: A good one. We agreed not to let another 30 years go by.

Continued the day along the Murray Valley Highway through Kerang, past places I had heard of but have never visited: Quambatook, Wycheproof, Cohuna, Echuca and many others. I think a Victorian only caravan trip is in order.

As Bendigo was our last stay before home, we had decided to have a restaurant meal.

The caravan park owner recommended the Puddler in Williamson Street Bendigo. I had steak and the only lobster I've eaten in about 25 years); Pam had duck. Great food, great place and really nice service from a young psychology student. After listening to our nonsense, he'll be able to write his thesis on "The Effect of Caravan Travel and Too Much Close Contact in Cars on the Minds of Codgers."