Market days and more.......

During the last month it has not been all work and no play.  We have managed to get out and about each weekend to check out the local farmers markets.

Our first stop was Violet Town to see their well known Community Market.  Held on the second Saturday of each month this is the biggest market in the district and people come from miles to enjoy.  I had first seen it on TV a few years ago and on our first visit was not disappointed.  A lovely sunny day helped make our few hours out very pleasant.  We left with fresh fruit and a bottle of Mocha Liqueur.

The next morning we drove to Avenel to see their Make It, Bake It, Grow It market.  This was a much smaller market but had some lovely fresh produce which we bought and enjoyed during the week.  Leaving the market we drove into Seymour for a quick look but have decided that Shepparton will be a much better option for our 'Big Smoke' needs.

The next week it was time for Euroa Village Farmers Market.  It was a very cold and damp day so not too many people had ventured out.  Again, though small there was lots of lovely fresh produce and also a huge pumpkin competition.  I didn't know pumpkins could grow that big!

On Sunday morning we braved the cold and the wind and made our way to Sevens Creeks Estate to attend their annual Garden Party.  This was advertised as the major fund raising event for the Euroa Hospital.  We had a walk around the beautiful gardens here, stopped and had a Devonshire Tea before meeting up with Judy and Geoff.  

We joined them for a short while before deciding to head home out of the cold.  It was such a shame as the week before had been glorious. The paper this week told us that 500 people had attended but I think most were like us, just in and out fairly quickly.

We have enjoyed checking out our local Cafes and love the Euroa Bakery, The Weekend Local, Fare Enough and Alberts.  A little further around the Seven Creek walk we found The Euroa Butter Factory.  This lovely old building now operates as a B and B with Cafe.  They do dinner each Friday night so perhaps a visit is in order.

When we arrived one month ago we found Seven Creek almost empty, something we had never seen before on our previous visits.  We discovered the reason for this was that new weir gates were being installed so the water had run out when the old gates had been removed.

The new gates have now been installed and with a few days of rain the creek is running again and the weir at Seven Creek park is full and looking lovely again.

Along the creek a little further we come to VC Memorial Park where there are three new bronze statues of Euroa's Victoria Cross recipients.  These statues are of Lt Col L Maygar who was awarded his Victoria Cross during The Boer War 1901.  While in the 5th Victoria Mountain Rifles 1917 led the last 30 men off Galipoli. 

Frederick Tubb, a local lad from Longwood and Alexander Burton from Euroa are the other two recipients whose actions at Galipoli earned them their VC.  

With ANZAC Day this year commemorating the 100th year since the landing on Galipoli we have heard much about the heroic deeds of these three young men.

All three have local landmarks named after them with Burtons Bridge in Euroa crossing Seven Creek.  Tubb Hill and Maygars Hill are on the way to Lockwood.  Maygars Hill is also a Vineyard and cottage where you will find a small museum and a very nice wine.  We visited here on Anzac Day and left with a couple of bottles of their very good Shiraz.

During the week before Anzac Day we had timed it just right to see three horses being ridden down Binney St with a piper leading the way.  Three riders from the Upper Murray are commemorating the ANZAC centenary by bringing the eternal flame from Melbourne to Corryong on horse back.  We joined a few people who had braved the cold to come and see them.

On Wednesday morning last week we enjoyed some time at the local library listening to the Australian Author Fleur McDonald.  Raised near Orroroo in SA and farming for many years near Esperance WA She writes stories of life in the Australian Outback.  She was a lovely lady and we enjoyed hearing all about how she became an author.  

The next night we joined Faye and Kevin for dinner at The Longwood Hotel.  We had a great night enjoying a very nice chicken Parma, a glass or two of Longwood Shiraz and great company.  

A visit into Melbourne for a Jazz lunch with Mum turned into a bit more of an adventure than I wanted.  At the station to catch the 8.28 train we were told that it had been replaced by a bus as there had been a derailment at Mangalore.  As the bus still hadn't arrived 45 mins later I got Bill to drive me to Seymour and caught the train from there.  It was a good trip in, mum and the Jazz were all good and Bill met me in Seymour later that evening.  We drove back and had dinner at the Euroa Hotel before heading home.  It was a big day out.

A few weeks ago we read about the release of some Regent Honey Eaters at the old Magenta mine site in Chiltern so we decided to drive up on Sunday and see if we could find any.  Still elusive but we had a lovely day with morning tea at The Mulberry Tree, a walk through the local market stalls at the Lake View House and then spent some time at the mine site and Green Dam.  Lots of pretty little birds at the dam and two very hardworking galahs determined to dig a hole in this huge tree.  I'm sure there were many old holes available in the forest but they seemed hell bent on this spot.

The next week we drove to the city for our Dr's appointments and once done went and visited Suzie to meet their gorgeous little girl Alexandra Anne.  At just 6 weeks old she looks just like a little doll and I certainly enjoyed my cuddles with her.  We enjoyed our visit with Suzie, Sharni and Nan but were sorry we had missed seeing Bryce, the proud Dad. We said goodbye and drove home to soup for dinner glad we did not have to face more traffic any time soon.

This last week it has been very busy at home with the electricians, plumbers, tree loppers and the carport guys all coming in and out doing their jobs.  I'm sure Wilma and Gordon will be happy when all the noisy work is done.  I know I will be!  

The next week saw us with two lots of visitors as Joy and David came to stay on the Monday night and Astrid and Hans arrived on Thursday and stayed till Saturday.  A visit to the Euroa Farmers Market on Saturday morning was enjoyed in the glorious sunshine.

And so as you can see we have enjoyed our first weeks here in Euroa and look forward to many years of quiet country living but for now I'll be off 

Until next time........

Settling into Euroa......

We woke on Thursday morning and it was time to pop the last things into boxes and wait for the removalists to arrive. Once there the three young fellows set about dismantling beds and couches and load them and the many boxes into the van. This took almost all day and finally around 4.30pm we had our last look from the balcony, said goodbye to our lovely apartment and hit the road to begin the next phase of our life.

We picked the van up from the storage yard for the last time, it too has a home now, and made our way along the freeways heading for Euroa.  We decided that we would stay the night at the Balmattum Rest stop rather than the caravan park for the one night and stopped for dinner at Avenel Roadhouse on the way.  

After breakfast we made our way back to Euroa for coffee before driving 'home' for the first time.  The container with our furniture had been dropped at the front last night and now we had just had to wait for the guys to return to unload.  They arrived late afternoon and set to work unloading and by 8.00pm we all sat down with a well deserved beer/wine and it was over.  Now just the unpacking to do.  But first dinner.

We locked up and headed around to Seven Creeks Hotel hoping they would feed us which they did with a lovely pie and mash dinner.  Back at home I made the bed and that was all for tonight!  It had been a huge day and tomorrow we had a mountain of boxes to face so an early night was what we needed.  

Waking the next morning we enjoyed the quiet with no trams or traffic.  It seems even Euroa's cockatoos had gone quiet as well.  After breakfast we set to work tackling the bathroom, laundry and kitchen boxes where I was surprised that everything fitted with room to spare.  Sunday morning saw us up and tackling our bedroom, spare room and Bill's office.  

During the afternoon a car pulled into our drive and we were just about to go out and tell them their friends had moved when we saw it was Astrid and Hans.  They had decided to take a drive and dropped in to see how we were going. Lovely to see them and nice to be able to stop for a rest and have a coffee with them.  So, happy with the title of our first visitors, they went on their way an hour or so later.

We continued to unpack for another hour and had just called it quits when we heard the gate and down the drive came our neighbours Wilma and Gordon.  It was lovely to meet them and we look forward to getting to know them better as time goes on.

The next morning we had a break from unpacking as we needed to drive over to Shepparton for a shopping spree.  We needed some basic tools for Bill, a fridge, an outdoor setting and a couple of bookcases as ours had been built in and left with the apartment.  We found some tools and an outdoor setting but had no luck with the rest.  Back in Euroa we found the fridge and with free delivery cheaper than all the rest.  Why didn't we start here first?

The next day we drove back to Shepparton to try some more furniture shops and finally found what we wanted.  We ordered our pieces and now have our fingers crossed they will arrive in the promised six weeks.  

The next week Cheryl and Shane came to stay and help Bill to demolish the old carport.  This needed to come down as it was too low to fit the van under.  While the boys played 'Whelan the wrecker' Cheryl helped me unpack a few boxes in the dining room.  We enjoyed another nice meal at Seven Creeks hotel on the first night and I cooked a yummy Tray Baked Chicken the next night.  It was great to see them and we really appreciate their help.  Now for a quote for a new very tall carport.

We spent a quiet Easter at home this year continuing to unpack and sort out things.  Bill hung the pictures and just like that it looked like home straight away.  We had another surprise visitor during the weekend with a quick visit from Judy to say welcome to Euroa.  It was lovely to meet her and we look forward to meeting Geoff when he's over his cold.

More surprise visitors over the next few weeks were some of our favourite birds.  Bill was doing some work on the front garden when he looked up and saw four beautiful Gang Gang Cockatoos in the tree across the road.  They were happily munching on the seed pods and didn't mind us at all.  Over the next three weeks we saw them often and always know where they are by their unique call.  It really sounds like a quietly creaking gate.  Much quieter than their raucous white cousins.

During the following week we had quotes for the carport and a plumber to add a new toilet in the bathroom along with some other plumbing renovations.  Also an electrician and a tree lopper.  The carport is ordered, the electrical work done, the plumber due to start later this week and the trees to be lopped in a day or two.   And another trip or two to Bunnings in Shepparton where Bill just about knows every staff member.

And so now we have been here for one month.  Euroa has charmed us from the beginning with everyone we have met saying 'Welcome to Euroa' making us feel very happy with our decision to make this lovely little village our home.

Until next time........

Back at home.......

we found things very strange as by now we knew ours days in Southbank were coming to an end.  The biggest difference was the noise after the peace and quiet of our time in the bush.  We had accepted an offer on our apartment the week before we returned and now we had to decide if we wanted to make an offer on the house we had found in Euroa.

We weighed up all the pros and cons and decided that we could make this little house our home so we made an offer which they accepted the next week while I was away in Halls Gap with Mum.  So with just 10 weeks until settlement it was time to get organised.

Bill got onto Gumtree and bought lots and lots of packing boxes and butchers paper.  Too much I thought but we used almost all of it much to my surprise.  Who knew how much stuff you can accumulate in 10 years!!  Bill packed most of the house up room by room over the next weeks and at the same time tried to organise all the bits and pieces that go with moving house.

During this time we did not stay at home for long.  I made my usual pilgrimage to Halls Gap with Mum for the 29th Annual Jazz Festival.  Astrid joined us again and once more we enjoyed a great weekend of beautiful weather and great music. The crowd was down a little on previous years and everyone put it down to the extra hot weather forecast which thankfully didn't turn out to be quite so hot as they thought.  I think age plays a big part too as many of the 'old' hands, both musicians and  patrons are in their eighties and more.  Hopefully enough younger people will come along and enjoy the music to keep this wonderful event alive.  For now we will continue to enjoy it while we can.

Back at home first and foremost was the paperwork connected with our offer and as Faye and Kevin were selling the house themselves we drove to Kilmore to meet them and sign all the documents.  We met on a lovely sunny day for coffee in The Rose Cafe and left an hour later the almost owners of our new home.  Now we just had to wait for settlement and it was ours.

After another busy week at home we left again on the following Friday to spend a couple of days in St Leonard's with Cheryl and Shane.  Leaving early we stopped at the Geelong waterfront for lunch.  I love the colourful bollards along the boardwalk here and the HMAS Sydney was moored at the wharf and getting a good cleaning for an open day tomorrow.  

Arriving a little later at St Leonards catching up over a glass or two of bubbles was a great way to spend the afternoon and soon it was time to head off to the Country Club for dinner.  After a nice meal we returned home for an extended evening of drinks and deserts.

The next morning after breakfast we drove into Drysdale to pick up some fresh Blueberries at Tuckerby Hill.  Of course we had to have a coffee and some of their famous blueberry buckle too.   Back at home we whiled away a lazy afternoon with drinks, nibbles and lots more talking. Soon it was time to dress for dinner once more and this time Shane drove us into Geelong for dinner at their favourite little Thai Restaurant.  A yummy meal was enjoyed by all and I can certainly understand why they are happy to drive the 30 mins or so to come here.

Home again and Bill and Shane hit the spa while Cheryl and I adjourned to the kitchen to make a Blueberry Buckle for me to take to Faye's birthday the next day.  Fingers crossed that we could still read and follow the recipe after a few wines.  Once it was in the oven we too hit the spa as the boys got out.  A perfect end to a lovely day!  Oh, and the buckle looked great.

We said goodbye to our friends after breakfast on Sunday as we had to be at Faye's place for her birthday lunch.  We arrived on time and even before most of the other family members.  We enjoyed another afternoon of fun, good food and a drink or two and the Blueberry Buckle was cooked to perfection and really yummy.  Great work Cheryl!  Must try it by myself and see how I go.

We said goodbye to the family and made our way home for a very quiet night after our big weekend.  With only three more weeks left it was time to get serious with the packing which we did over the next week.

On Tuesday we had a break from the boxes as we drove down and picked Mum and her friend up to deliver them to Port Melbourne to board The Dawn Princess for a cruise to New Zealand. A beautiful day and the drive in around the bay was a nice way to start their holiday.  They are back now and really enjoyed the trip so we may see her off again next year perhaps.

We made a trip to Euroa on Wednesday as we wanted to organise a Post Office Box and this was proving very difficult to do by phone via the call centre.  In person it was a very pleasant 15 min job and we left with keys in hand.  We had a coffee with Faye and Kevin and they took us home so we could check out a few bits to do with the house.  We finished the afternoon with a glass of Red and left them soon after.  Dinner at the Avenel Roadhouse was a good idea too.

A sad note during the week, Bill's Uncle Jack passed away after many years in a nursing home with dementia.  He was buried the following Friday on what would have been his 90th birthday.  We attended the funeral with Maree and Faye and as these things go it was a nice send off. 

After that sombre start to the day our next stop was to pick up the van as we were escaping the city once more to spend the next few days camping at Linton.  We arrived later in the afternoon and soon were all set up and Bill had the camera out again.  We were staying at Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary until Tuesday morning and looking forward to this little respite from the many boxes at home.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and really did not do much at all.  Coffee in Linton one morning and Skipton the next.  A quick look at Devils Kitchen for the Peregrine Falcon which did not show itself so we went back to the van to play with the robins.  Lots of time with a good book was just what we needed.  We drove back into civilisation on Tuesday afternoon, stored the van and returned home for the last time.  

During these last weeks Bill had had a lot of bits and pieces done to the car ready for extended periods on the road.  A long range fuel tank, and extra wheel and roof racks took care of a few days.  Having the car serviced and two new tyres took out another day or two and then the van went in for two days for the little things we had come across during our shakedown trip.  And then two days before we moved Bill spent the day at the yard as he had a diesel heater fitted to the van.  We are ready to roll now!

With just one week left we decided to spend our last weekend out of town again and what better place to go than to our favourite little cottage at Jamieson.  Camellia Cottage was just the break we needed and Angie and Freddie welcomed us as usual with big smiles and a couple hours over coffee in the kitchen.  We had dinner at the Court Hotel on Friday night in Jamieson before returning home for a quiet night in.  The following day we just relaxed in the sun around the property and finished the day at the Kevington Pub having dinner with Angie and Freddie.  This old pub really looks like it's seen better days but the food was delicious and a great night was had by all.

On Sunday morning we said goodbye, stopped for a coffee in Jamieson and made our way home over the Eildon-Jamieson Rd.  We made our way into Alexandra for lunch and then drove home from there.  Back at home we made our way 'Downstairs' for their Sunday night roast for the final time.  No more Sundays here!

Our last couple of weeks was spent saying our farewells.  On the previous Saturday night we had dinner with Ben and Jennifer at their place in Rowville.  Chinese takeaway and a few drinks made for a fun night with friends.  We had lunch with Suzie and Bryce at their place on Sunday.   Denise was there too from SA and it was great to see them all again. We had dinner with Joy and David at their place.  A lovely meal and good company.  During our last week Astrid and Hans came into town and we had dinner at Ants Bistro in Chinatown.  A yummy Chinese meal as always.  I had dinner with Emily and Stephanie from work at a Thai restaurant in Swanston St.  And finally we had dinner at the Chelsea RSL with Mum and Maree on Thursday night.

And then the countdown was over.  Only one more sleep and our new life begins but for now it's goodnight all

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

Driving through SA.......

We said goodbye to Port Augusta the next morning after another windy night beside the Spencer Gulf.  We are just about over the wind now and hope by heading inland for the rest of our trip we will see the end of it.

We turned off the Eyre Highway soon after, taking the Horrocks Pass Rd which took us right through The Flinders Ranges.  A really great drive as we made our way to Orroroo, Peterborough and Burra where we stopped to make lunch.

As we were approaching Burra I remembered that the little house from Midnight Oils Diesel and Dust Album cover should be around here somewhere.  I googled it and we discovered that we had actually passed it last year and hadn't known.  This time we stopped and took photos and here it is.  On private property we had to be happy with our shot from the road!

After lunch we passed through the little town of Hallett and I loved the quirky sculpture commemorating Australia's Centenary of Federation in 2001.

Then it was time to find our home for the night.  Bill was taking me back to Worlds End where we found the Burra Creek Gorge.  We had found this lovely camp spot a few years ago as we drove back to Adelaide after a day in The Clare Valley but tonight we were going to stay.

We chose a spot and set up and spent the next few hours enjoying the glorious sunny afternoon.  There were parrots, cockatoos and rainbow bee eaters to keep Bill happy as well.  And no wind, sheer bliss!

Leaving early the next day we continued on to Eudunda.  We had passed through here before late one night so today we stopped for a look in the daytime.  Known as the birthplace of author Colin Thiele who wrote Sun on the Stubble and Storm Boy we found a really lovely town with a central garden that is their pride and joy.

Centenary Gardens are completely looked after by volunteers and the beautiful garden is a delight to spend a few hours in. The gardens also contain stone walls and tiled art featuring the story of a Century of Transport.  

It was hard to drag ourselves away from here but we did and continued our drive through SA as we made our way to Mannum where we crossed the Murray River and spent the night at Bolto Reserve.  Another glorious campground on the banks of the river.  Gee this life is hard to take!

Still making our way through SA the next morning we drove on to Meningie, a tiny town on the south east side of Lake Albert.   We stopped here and had a look at the tiny town and took a walk along the foreshore.  

The Ostrich sculpture here is a little bemusing until you read the storyboard which tells us the story of John Francis Peggotty who became know as The Birdman of the Coorong.  An Irish petty thief who sailed to Australia in 1890 and continued his lucrative trade on the back of an Ostrich - one of the many set free after the market for fashionable ostrich feathers ceased - who knew!

From here we made our way around to Narrung, another small settlement. It is situated at the northern end of the Narrung Peninsula which separates The Coorong from Lake Albert adjacent to The Narrows which separates Lake Albert from the larger Lake Alexandrina. We had our lunch here in a fabulous camp site but didn't stay as we were making our way a little further along the Coorong.

Back on the main road we drove on beside The Coorong stopping for the night at the 42 Mile Crossing campsite.  Unfortunately as we arrived so did the wind and we spent a very blustery night inside.

Still windy the next morning we ate and left continuing on to Kingston S.E.   We stopped for a look here, a cup of coffee and a walk.  As we left we passed the Historic Cape Jaffa Lighthouse which had been built at Margaret Brock Reef between 1868-1872.  It was relocated to its present spot here in 1975 and is now a tourist attraction.

Back in the car and making our way to Naracoorte we did some shopping before driving on to cross the border back into Victoria a few kms on.  We stopped for lunch a little later at Apsley where we ate under the shade of the Biggest Flowering Gum in the Southern Hemisphere.  A very large Red Flowering Gum grows here and in full flower just looked magnificent.

Soon after we were back on the road and continued to cross Victoria as we made our way to Teddington Reservior in Kara Kara National Park.  Arriving about 5.00 pm we set up camp for the night and were soon settled down for a quiet night in.  It had been a long day.

Straight after breakfast the next day we were on our way again this time heading to Chiltern.  We spent three days looking at a number of properties for sale before relocating to Euroa and doing it all again.  Lunch in Wodonga at this lovely park was a pleasant interlude in a busy week.

We left Euroa on Friday and headed for home making it 9 weeks since we had left.  We had driven over 13,000 kms, seen so many new and wonderful places and spent some lovely times with family and friends in Perth.  All in all a truly wonderful trip and a fabulous start to our 'Grey Nomad' lifestyle.  And to cap it all off we had found a house in Euroa to call home for the next stage of our life.  Fingers crossed they accept our offer!  

Watch this space ........