Today Friday 2nd May we move on to Wakerie, however, half of us met up at Beasy’s the other half at the Wagner’s, when we twigged that we were not all in the same place we all met up at the Wagner’s, we loaded up the trailer and said our farewells to our wonderful friends in 
Merbein ,in the middle of the road; the roads aren’t too busy here. We then set off; Doug leading in his Mitsubishi, with three of us on board, pulling the trailer which is getting heavier every move with Leon and Brian, riding shotgun, following behind desperately trying to see through the trail of blue smoke we were laying down. We headed up the track towards Renmark, totally un-phased Doug pressed on, but when his non stop and remarkably informative 
commentary suddenly stopped we suspected something was amiss. Having checked the oil level before we left Doug was quite confident that we would have no problems but I think he underestimated our increasing bulk and the windage on the trailer, the poor old Mitsubishi didn’t stand a chance. The Merbein guys responded magnificently shooting back and picking up another Ute whilst we waited at Cullulleraine. Doug limped back to Meldura, thankfully making it OK; thanks Doug I had a great time with you and Alys. We pressed on to 
Loxton and met up with the guys from Wakerie including President Swee Poh who had taken time off work to meet us. After lunch at the Loxton hotel we yet again said our farewells to the Merbein drivers Leon and Brain and headed off to Banrock Station. Great start straight to a wine tasting! Ruth one of the 9520 GSE students that came to the UK last October works at Banrock and I hoped to surprise her but on asking I fond she had left a week previously. However, they though she might have popped in today to clear up a few things and sure enough 
she appeared, it was great to meet up with her again. Part of her role was to manage the wetland area which is a feature of Banrock but like a good deal more of what we have seen it was completely dried up. Driving into Waikerie we saw further results of the drought where water 
rationing has necessitated blocks (farming lots) being turned off and the citrus trees have completely died. Then onto the House boat where we are to spend the next two days courtesy of Alan Hillier. This is our R&R and the team were really looking forward to it we cruised down river and moored up at an idyllic spot; I cannot take any more pictures of these magnificent gums or the folks back home will think I have become a tree hugger. What did we do that night; we had a BBQ more wine more food this is getting tough! Ray
Merbein ,in the middle of the road; the roads aren’t too busy here. We then set off; Doug leading in his Mitsubishi, with three of us on board, pulling the trailer which is getting heavier every move with Leon and Brian, riding shotgun, following behind desperately trying to see through the trail of blue smoke we were laying down. We headed up the track towards Renmark, totally un-phased Doug pressed on, but when his non stop and remarkably informative 
commentary suddenly stopped we suspected something was amiss. Having checked the oil level before we left Doug was quite confident that we would have no problems but I think he underestimated our increasing bulk and the windage on the trailer, the poor old Mitsubishi didn’t stand a chance. The Merbein guys responded magnificently shooting back and picking up another Ute whilst we waited at Cullulleraine. Doug limped back to Meldura, thankfully making it OK; thanks Doug I had a great time with you and Alys. We pressed on to 
Loxton and met up with the guys from Wakerie including President Swee Poh who had taken time off work to meet us. After lunch at the Loxton hotel we yet again said our farewells to the Merbein drivers Leon and Brain and headed off to Banrock Station. Great start straight to a wine tasting! Ruth one of the 9520 GSE students that came to the UK last October works at Banrock and I hoped to surprise her but on asking I fond she had left a week previously. However, they though she might have popped in today to clear up a few things and sure enough 
she appeared, it was great to meet up with her again. Part of her role was to manage the wetland area which is a feature of Banrock but like a good deal more of what we have seen it was completely dried up. Driving into Waikerie we saw further results of the drought where water 
rationing has necessitated blocks (farming lots) being turned off and the citrus trees have completely died. Then onto the House boat where we are to spend the next two days courtesy of Alan Hillier. This is our R&R and the team were really looking forward to it we cruised down river and moored up at an idyllic spot; I cannot take any more pictures of these magnificent gums or the folks back home will think I have become a tree hugger. What did we do that night; we had a BBQ more wine more food this is getting tough! Ray
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