The trip out of Geehi to Tom Groggin campground is what could be classed as a typical Snowy Mountains fanfare consisting of rolling hills, more rolling hills, S bends galore and plenty of greenery typically consisting of gum trees, tussock and weeds. Depending on how many stops for photos and nature breaks it takes the best part of an hour.
I must admit there was a major feeling of tragedy breaking camp at Behrs Flat, the place has to be the most amazing I’ve ever camped at. But that said, the show must go on!
And just like that we were on the road just after 11am.
Tom Groggin campground is a place that at times can feel remote (when the populous is limited) or it can feel overcrowded. We were fortunate enough to camp there while the crowds were at a minimum.
The campground itself is pretty in certain spots while feeling lack lustre in others. That said the nearby Murray River is a welcome sight.
The weather put on a show for day one at Tom Groggin, it was nearing the stage that the sun was so extreme making it the best choice to sit in the shade, and what better way to do so than with a beer…
The locals were extremely friendly as well!
After a very quiet and relaxing afternoon the ever so comfy King Farouk air mattress called for an early night.
Next morning appeared to be shaping up to be a great day, the BOM didn’t seem to think so and with Brads battery requiring some drive time we made the pilgrimage across Dead Horse Gap through to Jindabyne for a dogs eye and some pastries.
With brunch sorted we did a quick stop off at Jindabyne Brewing where I grabbed a six pack of their Porcupine Rocks XPA (unfortunately every other beer I wanted was sold out – but that’s the way she rolls sometimes). And with that we headed for Island Bend campground, a place I hadn’t been for well over a decade.
It would be an understatement for me to say that almost every part of Island Bend has changed since I was there last, it was almost unrecognisable in some places, with the only the area near the tail end of the pondage remaining recognisable.
With the weather starting to look ominously rain pattern like we decided to make tracks and head back to Tom Groggin, the trip being almost uneventful apart from some brake fade in Brads mostly trusty dunnydore 🙂
On return to camp with thunder bellowing from the backdrop it was a case of make dinner and get a campfire cracking before conditions get the better of us. And just like that the snags and fried tomato with a trusty schooner happened!
With the fire cranking we were hoping to sit down and sink a few more beverages while watching the lightning flicker across the ever darkening sky.
That unfortunately was not to be the case, the rain came down heavily forcing us to seek shelter inside out tents. And that was how our final night at Tom Groggin came to an end.
Footnote: this is a backdated post.