Some time at home

After our busy month it was once again time to spend a couple of weeks at home and catch up on what was happening in the city.  The first thing that I had to catch up on was the boring stuff like the housework.  Once that was taken care of it was time to head out and see what we could find.

Our first stop, after Bill's haircut, was lunch at Lorca, our favourite little cafe in Centre Place.  From there we made our way down to the NGV to see Radiance - The Neo-Impressionists.  As usual we had left our run until the last minute and we were hoping that it wasn't too busy.  Luckily it was not and we were able to view the exhibition with relative ease.   No pictures so just a screen shot from home.

Radiance - The Neo-Imprssionists introduces us to the extraordinary personalities who contributed to the birth and development of Neo-Impressionism in France and Belgium from the 1880s through to the outbreak of the First World War.  Not really being aware of this style of art it was very interesting to learn about the different periods and artists.   The works of Maximilien Luce and the classically trained Georges Seurat and the self-taught Paul Signac were lovely and I particularly liked the paintings of Théo Van Rysselberghe whose work was done in France between 1897–1926.  The delightful Canal in Flanders and Tea in the gardens were my two favorites.

While at the gallery we happened across another exhibition, this one very different to the one we had just viewed.  Rally was an exhibition of  Contemporary Indonesian Art.  We had in fact seen some of this work during a visit in September without realising what it was.  So very different to what we had just seen it was interesting to say the least.  Many of the pieces had a 'what the' element to them.  The pink flower creature and the horseless saddles to name a couple.  Once again we see that 'art really is in the eye of the beholder'  and there weren't too many eyes seeing this exhibit.  We have!

Leaving the gallery we walked home where we spent a couple hours relaxing before we returned to town for a night at the theatre.  We were going to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at The Princess Theatre and it really was fantasmagorical.  With David Hobson and Rachel Beck playing the lead roles it was  great fun and the car really is the star of the show.   We stopped for coffee and cake at Pellegrini's after the show and then home to bed after a wonderful day in the city.

The next weekend was another quiet one with more housework - how boring - before a great night out with Susie & Bryce.   After a drink at home we decided that 'Downstairs' was as far as we felt like going and had a wonderful dinner tasting their many 'small plates' followed by some yummy deserts.  The Vanilla Panacotta with Orange granita was so good and Susie and Bryce gave the tick of approval to the Flourless Chocolate Cake as well.  A fun night was had by all and a quiet Sunday followed with the highlight being a quick trip to town to buy a toaster for next weekend's trip away.

In between the washing and the ironing and the toaster shopping I did get to spend some time with a book and thoroughly enjoyed reading the story of Bill, Australia's greatest war horse.

It was one of Bill's Christmas presents and NO, it was not from me.  Written by the same author as The Changi Brownlow they are both 'great reads' if you have an interest in Australian War stories.  

And so with another weekend coming to a close we only have 4 days at work before we are heading off for another Easter adventure.   I hope you all have a lovely Easter whatever your plans, enjoy, stay safe and don't eat too many Hot Cross Buns and Easter Eggs.  Or on the other hand why not - Enjoy!

until next time.......

Three on the trot..

The next month seemed to be a time of travelling for business and pleasure.  Bill spent a week in the Gold Coast for work arriving home on Friday night to be followed by an early start on Monday for a week in Sydney.  He got to spend the weekend at home alone as I had gone off to Halls Gap for the Jazz Festival with Mum.  This year Astrid joined us as well and we all enjoyed 4 fabulous days of great music, great weather and great fun.

As always the little town comes alive with Jazz musicians coming from near and far to play in the many venues over the weekend.  With so many venues to choose from and many different styles of Jazz there is something for everyone and we saw a great cross section over the weekend.

The next weekend Bill and I stayed home and caught up on some much needed housework before picking up the camper and heading out the following weekend.  With Bianca in Canada, Astrid and Hans had changed their yearly Eildon trip to February and we were going to join them again for two weekends.  We drove up on Saturday morning stopping at Alexandra for supplies and coffee at the Dairy Cafe.  Arriving at Fraser camp ground soon after we were all set up and in relax mode in time for lunch.  We did miss Bianca but had a great time with Travers for the weekend.  Thanks for the IT help.

The campsite was not as busy as it is over the Christmas holidays but still had plenty of people enjoying the lake and campgrounds.  We had a wonderful two days and all too soon it was time to say farewell and head home.  We were leaving the camper there under Hans watchful eye (we were neighbors) and would return the following Friday night for another weekend of R and R.

After a week of storms and rain we returned to find Astrid and Hans all dried out and we caught up over a glass of Red before falling into bed that night.  A slow start to the next morning was great and we enjoyed a walk out to the point before coming back for lunch.  We drove into Alexander for a bit of shopping and while there checked out the local tourist information centre.  We picked up some great maps and followed these to some local bushland reserves that will warrant further investigation.  Enough with the sightseeing for one day we drove back to camp for a quiet drink before dinner which Hans and Bill cooked on the barbie.  After another night spent with great company and a good red the four of us headed off to bed much earlier than the night before.

Hans took over Bianca's breakfast duties the following morning cooking bacon and eggs on the camp stove and we all had a yummy breakfast.  Astrid and I left Bill and Hans doing some modifications on the camper (adding pole tubes) and we had a walk down to the lake before coming back for a quiet lunch.  All too soon it was time for us to pack up again and head home for another week at work.  Bill and Hans were off to the Gold Coast and I was looking forward to sorting the washing again - NOT.

Bill returned home on Friday late morning and after a few hours work at home drove down to pick the camper up for our long weekend adventure.  We were going back to Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary at Linton.  He picked me up after work and we had a very slow trip out of town as with the fine weather it seemed that every man and his dog was leaving Melbourne at the same time.   We arrived at Linton around 10pm, managed to do a basic set up in the dark and settled down to dinner soon after.  We only had one neighbour and they were at the other end of the park so we didn't disturb anyone.

The following morning Bill got up early and went in search of the birds finding a little dam on the property that kept him busy for an hour or so.  After breakfast he finished setting up the bits he couldn't see in the dark and soon after we went out in search of supplies for the weekend.  We drove to Skipton but couldn't see what was open so continued on to Beaufort about 40 mins away.  This little town was alive and after picking up enough food for the weekend we found a cute little cafe and had a coffee before driving back to our little piece of paradise at Linton where we spent a relaxing afternoon with a book and plenty of cold drinks.  It was very warm here and we were into day 6 of a +30 deg heatwave that looked like it was going to break all previous records held in Victoria.

Bill returned to his dam as the sun went down and was rewarded with lots of birds coming to play in the cooler water.  We had dinner and spent a lovely evening enjoying the quiet and after our late night yesterday we were both bushed and found our bed sooner rather than later.

The next morning dawned hotter than the previous days and after breakfast we took a walk down the road to another area of the sanctuary.  It was already too hot and most of our little feathered friends were hiding somewhere in a shady spot.  Coming back for lunch we decided that an afternoon of sightseeing might be the answer and soon after we headed out towards Skipton in air conditioned comfort.  Our first stop was just a little way up the road where we found a lookout, Flagstaff Hill, and we climbed the tower for a wonderful 360 deg view of the entire Golden Plains Shire and beyond.

Next we stopped at Skipton, first for coffee at the Skipton Art Gallery which was a quirky little cafe and art space, and secondly to admire the two lovely old churches there.  From there and only to keep cool, it was 37 deg, we drove on to Lake Bolac where we found a helpful man in the Tourist Centre.  I think he was bored and happy to have found someone to talk too.  Still he gave us a map and explicit directions which we followed and did not get lost.  The lake is a magnet for fisherman and boating activities just like Eildon and there were many people making the most of the fine weather here.

Turning around to drive home we saw the black sky ahead and it wasn't long before it started to rain.  The temp dropped 15 deg in 10 mins and when we arrived home we needed warm clothes and an umbrella to get over to the toilet block.  Would this be the end of our heatwave, we certainly hoped so.
The beautiful rainbow set the scene for another lovely evening and we enjoyed dinner and a nice red before turning in under a nice warm blanket.

Monday morning saw us up early and we had a walk to the dam before the heat of the day started.  Yes, it was still forecast to be over 30.  The rain had only been a brief respite after all.  We jumped in the car and drove the few moments around to Devils Kitchen, the amazing rocky area where we had seen the Peregrine Falcons last year.  Not so lucky this time, all was quiet and hot so we drove out following the road to Newtown.

Following the GPS to find our way back to Linton we were taken down a road that ended in a No Through Road - aren't they just so clever sometimes!  But this time it was a win as we found a piece of history just in front of us.  All through the area we had been criss crossing The Ballarat - Skipton Rail Trail and at this dead end we were walking along the very trail with a sign pointing to Nimmons Bridge.  This is a wonderful old trestle bridge that has been preserved and opened as part of the rail trail and we walked down to the creek before coming back up the other side and walking back over the bridge.  It is such an intricate structure and seems like such a huge bridge to cross a reasonably small creek.

Leaving the bridge we followed our noses and not the GPS and arrived back at camp where we had lunch and once again packed up the camper and headed for home.  Arriving just after 6.00pm it was still 36 deg in the city.  If it stayed hot tomorrow then a 50 year record would be broken.  And that is what happened.  Tuesday was 37 and now Melbourne has a new record.  The first ever March with 9 consecutive days over 30 degrees.

And so our 3 wonderful weekends out and about had been fun but now it was time to spend a couple of weekends at home before heading out again at Easter.  There's a little bit of housework needing to be done.

until next time.......

The Ned Kelly trail

With Australia Day falling on Saturday this year we got a long weekend with the following Monday off.  With a little forward planning both Bill and I had organised the Thursday and Friday off and so were able to head off for a lovely five day break.

We were going back to Euroa to spend some more time exploring the many little towns that make this area special.  We arrived mid afternoon and got ourselves settled in the same campsite beside Seven Creeks.  We did have more neighbours this time and over the next couple of days a few more vans came in.  Seems like we had started something.  I continue to be pleasantly surprised as we travel around the caravan parks.  Even in the parks that seem full we have never had to wait for showers.  I guess people use the showers in their own vans now.

Once settled in we had a short walk before spending a couple hours beside the creek with a good book and the birds for company.  With the shops closed in Euroa, a bit of a shock after always being able to find an IGA open until at least 8.00pm in most towns we visit, we had dinner at The Seven Creeks Hotel just across the road.  It was a lovely old building full of history and the steak was very good.  Lots of Ned Kelly stories and pictures of family here too.  After dinner we relaxed in the warm evening with a glass of red and watched a movie before deciding that bed was the place to be.

The next morning we went into the shops to stock up for the weekend coming home to unpack and have lunch before we headed out to have a look at Ngambie Lakes.  We stopped at Jacobson's Outlook, a lovely park, and enjoyed watching the activity on the lake.  We loved the Pelican sculpture here as well.  We found the tourist information centre and picked up some good maps of the area before driving home for another afternoon beside the creek.

After breakfast the next morning we walked into Euroa first to see what was happening on Australia Day and found a band setting up in the RSL park for the Citizen award ceremony.  We didn't stop to watch.  We did however find the Ned Kelly sculpture (above) on the wall of the now Bendigo Bank.  This was once the 2nd Euroa National Bank which the Kelly gang held up in 1878.  Returning home we jumped in the car, picked up the maps and started exploring.  Our first destination was Ruffy where we stopped for lunch at The Produce Store.  We shared a ploughman's lunch, made with fresh local produce and home made pickles, followed by a cheeseboard for one and it was delicious.

Leaving Ruffy we drove out to to have a look at 'the boathole', a small picnic area beside another creek.  It was lovely and peaceful here and Bill found one or two birds but nothing that would keep him there for hours.  We drove on from here following the map towards Tarcombe and before long we were beside the huge granite tors that make this area so spectacular.  These huge lumps of granite are dotted all over the hillsides and must make farming in the immediate area very challenging.  They look amazing and remind you in some way of Stonehenge.

Dragging ourselves away from these amazing stones we drove on through the hills and valleys coming back down near Avenel.  We found the Avenel Stone Bridge built in 1869 and made famous when a very young Ned Kelly saved another little boy when he fell off the bridge.  Kelly was awarded a 'green sash' for bravery.   The bridge is no longer in use for cars but can still be crossed on foot as part of Stewart Park.

The next day we decided to get back to nature and spent the day exploring the forest tracks of Boho and Boho South.  We had our picnic lunch beside a little creek on the Honeysuckle Track.  It was another magic little spot needing Bill to test out his 4WD skills to get us out.  After returning to the sealed road we stopped for coffee at Strathbogie, still the 'best coffee in town' before continuing on to find Wallaby Gully Flora Reserve.  It was here that while Bill was watching a couple of little fantails flitting around nervously he discovered their nest.  3 very hungry baby birds kept Mum and Dad very busy feeding them.  Bill hid himself in some trees and was able to get some great pictures of them all.
After a good hour or more we called it a day and headed back down the hill to Euroa where we had dinner and a drink beside our little creek before my bed called me in for a reasonably early night.

The following morning we drove back to see the little fantail family again before visiting Tahbilk winery and wetlands near Ngambie.  We spent the afternoon here exploring the wetlands both on foot and a boat tour.  The vineyard owned and operated by the Purbrick family is one of Australia's oldest and most beautiful wineries.  The wetlands and waterways are linked by the Goulburn River and  they are worth the visit even if you don't like wine.  As if!

The winery founded in 1860 still has Shiraz vines dating back to this time.  The underground cellar was completed in 1865 and still exists today as a tourist attraction.  Walking down into this space with it's huge oak barrels is amazing.  The 'new' cellar finished in 1876 is where all the wine is stored now and is not accessible to the public but you can see through the gates.

We finished our visit with a wine tasting and after buying two bottles of award winning Shiraz we headed home for a quiet night in.  The next day was time to pack up and head home once more.

We had thoroughly enjoyed our few days exploring the many little townships of this area.  All are different, some just a dot on the map and others full of history.  Of course Ned Kelly stories feature somewhere in most of the townships so I guess the name "The Ned Kelly Trail' is the right one.

For now it's back to work for a few days and then we are both off again.  Bill to the Gold Coast for work and me to Halls Gap for the Jazz Festival.

until next time..........