Howlong, Tocumwal, Finley Hay

Left the Mitta Mitta River and headed along towards Wodonga then over the river to Howlong to a Caravan Park for a couple of days. Always good to have power, catch up on washing etc. Went to Albury for an afternoon of retail therapy. Found a tuner for the guitar. On towards Deniliquin - through a mob of cattle grazing the verge. Lots of irrigation canals, rice fields, wineries and several places that looked like good camping spots. Didn't stop in Deniliquin - another trip - but carried on up to check out Wanganella Weir. Could be a nice spot but several dead carp left on the road so lots of flies. Went back out to the Gallery for coffee and cake. A lucky stop as I noticed that
a bolt holding the rear spring on the van was nearly fully out. A nice old bloke came over to help me  get it back in, then another local stopped and found a nut to fit. Unfortunately something must have bitten him and he had to dash off and sort out the itching heat rash that was developing fast! Drove quietly on up to the lovely old Royal Mail pub at Booroorlan. $10 unpowered site.The couple have owned it for 17 years.
Wine was rather ordinary, but chatting to another couple and went back to their van for happy hour(s).

The road from Echuca up this way is known as the Long Paddock - has very wide areas either side so that stock could be walked down to the ports back in the old days when paddle boats transported them. Several areas of art works along the route. I did see one mob and several overnight yards that had been used very recently.
Very flat dry land up here - Hay Plains.
Hay is a pretty oasis with the Murrumbidgee running through it. Amazing that a river can have so much water when the land is so dry all around it.
Found an engineering place that replaced the bolt on the van then down to Sandy Point camp beside the river. A large area, and lots of picnic tables along the river. Met another lovely couple - went out for dinner at the RSL with them. Tried prospecting along the river but just hundreds of bottle tops.
Had 4 nights in Hay then off to Griffith.