Anzac Day in Linton

Just three days back at work this week and then it was time to hook up the camper and head bush for another long weekend. This time we going back to spend the weekend at the Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary just out of Linton.  We have taken quite a shine to this small town just 40 mins from Ballarat and were looking forward to another quiet weekend surrounded by birds and bush.

We arrived on Thursday night after work and set up quickly as the clear sky promised a very chilly night ahead.  Camped in the grounds of the sanctuary with no lights anywhere nearby the night sky is an amazing sight.  The stars are so bright and the Milky Way never ceases to amaze us as to how clear it is.  One day we will perfect the night sky pictures and we can show you but until then you will just have to take our word for how wonderful it looks. 

Of course, as mentioned, the more clear the sky in winter the colder it is and this night in Linton lived up to that promise.  We found out the next morning that it had been below zero so I guess that answered the question as to why we had felt a little chilly during the night.  We had our little gas heater on until bedtime but had felt a bit cool during the early hours of the morning.

Anzac Day dawned very chilly and Bill stayed in bed for an extra hour instead of visiting the dam to see what birds were around.  I don't think he missed much as we hardly heard a peep out of any of them until much later that morning.  The sun struggled to shine as well and we stayed inside with the heater on until the gas ran out.  We ventured outside then to be greeted by a couple of pretty little yellow robins who kept us entertained for a little while.

The weather decided our next move and we hopped back in the car and drove into Linton to watch the Anzac Day game, Essendon vs Collingwood, at the pub.  We had a fabulous afternoon with a group of friendly locals and even though our team lost again we went home smiling.  Heater on, dinner and an early night with extra blankets were the order of the evening and the clouds in the sky kept the temp at a slightly more acceptable number.

Saturday morning was cold and wet with a miserable drizzle that seemed to have set in, so Bill got another hour in bed again. Our mission that morning was to head back to a camping shop and buy more gas canisters as the forecast was for another cold night.  We drove to the shopping plaza at Wendouree where we had a coffee, picked up some soup bowls (for dinner that night), ingredients for the soup and more gas canisters.  Driving around Lake Wendouree as we left we came across a Farmers Market so stopped for a look and left with lots of yummy produce, cakes and chutney.

With our mission accomplished we drove back to camp via Devils Kitchen to see how the Peregrine Falcons were going.  With no sign of either of them we didn't stay and were soon back looking for a patch of sun to have our lunch in.

We spent the afternoon taking it easy and later on I made our Chicken and vegetable soup for dinner and Bill got the heater going and we settled down for a quiet night in.  

Sunday morning was very cold again, it really did seem that winter has arrived with a vengeance, and even though the sun was shining there was no warmth at all in it.  We spent the morning enjoying the antics of many little wrens and robins before it was time to pack up again and head for home.  With no cafes open in Linton we stopped for coffee on the way home in Smythesdale.

Our next stop was for our picnic lunch at Cape Clear.  This is a tiny dot on the map, right in the middle of the Golden Plains Shire and I imagine one of the only places in the country to have a lighthouse in the middle of town.  (Town being a very loose term as there is only a Pub and a CFA).   Located about 100 Kms from the coast the working Model Lighthouse was erected in 2008 to create a local landmark.  It certainly has done that!

We continued on and our next stop was at Turtle Bend, Teesdale.  A lovely park on the banks of Native Hut Creek made all the more interesting by the addition of its iconic Turtle Pavilion.  A nice place to take a break just out of Bannockburn.  

From here we drove straight on, parked the camper and headed home to get ready for another week at work.  Not sure how were were going to survive a full week or what we will do next but watch this space for our next adventures.

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

And then it was Easter.....

And a wonderful four days of freedom was here and we were ready to get in the car and head out of the city again.  Bill had brought the camper home on Thursday after work and all we had to do was get up and go on Friday morning.

We did just that and were on the road by 8.30 am where we had a fairly good run along the freeway and out of town.  We were heading to Chiltern to spend Easter with the birds and were hoping to be there in time for lunch.  We did have a couple of comfort/coffee stops along the way but as planned drove into Chiltern Caravan Park about 12.30, set up and had lunch before taking a walk into the Main Street to see what was happening.

Not much was open but we did find our favourite little cafe, The Mulberry Tree was, so called in for a coffee before heading back to the park for an afternoon of R and R.  Before long it was time to cook dinner and we finished of the night with a movie. Tomorrow we would check out our feathered friends.

Bill got up bright and early and braved the very chilly morning (ice on the windscreen) to visit Bartley's Block.  I stayed in bed a little longer before enjoying my morning cuppa in the sun. After breakfast we wandered into town before jumping in the car for a drive to Wodonga.  Being Easter not much was open after midday so we just had a quick walk through town liking the mural on the wall outside Coles.

Back in the car we drove over to Yackandandah to get fuel and then spent the rest of the afternoon at Honey Eater Picnic area and Cyanide Dam where Bill had some fun with a lovely little Robin.  As it was getting dark and cold we left here and returned home for dinner and another movie.

Sunday was another very chilly morning but once again Bill was up and out early to see what he could find at Bartley's Block. Leaving after breakfast we took a drive to Magenta Mine and Green Dam waterhole where we had been told that we might find the elusive Regent Honeyeater.  Some birds had been released here last year and a friendly local had sent us here to see what we could find.

Unfortunately we had no luck and so left after a while to have a look at No. 2 dam.  In all our visits we had never stopped here and so decided that today was the day to take a walk.  We walked in the few hundred metres to the bird hide and picnic table and on the way were surprised by a little movement on a nearby tree.  Closer inspection showed that we had found Chilterns 'Golden Mouse'.  This little creature  is actually a Yellow Footed Antechinus,  also known as the Mardo.  The legend of the Golden Mouse is as follows -

In the 1850's John Miller joined the hopefuls in Chiltern Forest looking for Gold. As he looked for signs of Gold, being careful not to disturb too much of the environment, he spied a tiny Golden Mouse watching him. He decided to move away from that immediate area so as not to disturb the mouse's home ..... He struck Gold!  The Golden Mouse became a symbol of good luck and children were given a home made one to promote a happy life. 

People gave them to other people in wishing them luck in their endeavours and of course visitors to this little town can now buy them at the visitors centre!

We ate our picnic lunch here and then spent a couple hours being entertained by a number of birds and another Golden Mouse at the edge of the wetlands.  The Restless Flycatchers were fascinating to watch and to listen to.  Who knew birds could be so much fun!

On the way back to camp we called in again at Green Dam but it was so cold there was not much around so it was back to our little home for dinner and drinks.

I got up early with Bill on Monday morning and we drove back to Magenta Mine where we spent a very chilly hour or so before returning home for breakfast.  Still no luck with that elusive Regent Honeyeater though Bill did think he might have caught a glimpse of one in the trees but without a photo it just doesn't count!  

It was a bright sunny morning but absolutely freezing and once again there was ice on the windscreen and sunroof.  Something we haven't experienced in a long while.  

The Magenta Mine is the remains of earlier gold mining activity here in Chiltern. Mining of the Magenta Reef commenced in 1860. Earth, rock and quartz were excavated and carted out by horse and dray. The open cut was worked to a depth of 15 metres and later partially filled with mullock. Two shafts were sunk to access gold bearing ore. 

Today, you can view one of these from the eastern side of the open cut. The other shaft has since been filled in for safety. Further along the track there is a viewing platform to view the enlarged tunnel or drive, which was worked to a depth of 30 metres. The quartz was crushed at the nearby stamper batteries and the timber foundations can still be seen today. 

Leaving the birds here we drove back to camp for breakfast and then it was time to pack up again for our trip home.  We seemed to be the only ones doing this as with just a three day break between Easter and Anzac Day this year most of the other people were staying put.  We had been unable to wangle the long holiday and so said goodbye to Chiltern mid morning.

The roads were fairly quiet and our drive home quite easy with a stop for our picnic lunch at Sevens Creek in Euroa.  Before we knew it the van was parked and we were home to get on with the washing.  Just a three day pit stop really as we were going again on Thursday night.

So as we head back to work for these few days we will say bi for now and hope that you all enjoyed your Easter break as much as we did.

until next time........