We enjoyed our stop in Rutherglen, having the lake just opposite our site has been delightful. Our first stop on Monday was to order a hamper from The Pickled Sisters in Wahgunyah, to be picked up on Wednesday (they are closed on Tuesdays). On Tuesday we went for a drive through Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park, which was much greener than we had seen, it is usually very dry and rocky. We had a BBQ at the Old Magenta Mine Site. Not much to show for a mine that delivered about 13,000 ounces of gold over its lifetime.
We enjoyed the National Park so much we returned the next day with our hamper, which we enjoyed at Honeyeater Picnic Area, a lovely shady cool spot. The hamper was delicious and very generous, we had two lunches and a light tea from it. 
On Friday we went to Mt Beauty for the traditional Melbourne Cup Camp. The camping ground is excellent, right on the Kiewa River, and Adam had secured prime river front sites, with a fire bucket and all the sites together, it obviously paid to book early, well done Adam.
Most of the weekend was spent around the fire catching up with our good friends, lots of good food, conversation and wine. We did manage to fit in a walk along the Kiewa River walking track and a walk at the Mountain Creek Picnic area. Mountain Creek is a beautiful mountain stream
We thought this camp was our 39th, but Adam had correctly calculated that it was in fact the 40th camp (and the 39th year). We are proud of our achievement of attending every one of those camps. Adam surprised us with a “40” candle on a cake surrounded by sparklers to celebrate that achievement. Lots of man hugs all round! Thank you Adam, you are a wonderful friend.
Today everyone packed up to return to Melbourne. We go home tomorrow, after nearly 6 weeks of touring a really beautiful part of this great land. Our next blog will be from Tasmania early next year if everything goes well.