A few weeks at home.........

Back at home we spent the afternoon unpacking and were welcomed home with big hugs when Wilma and Gordon popped in from next door to say hello.  It was wonderful to see them again.  Our first week was taken up with washing and shopping and on Sunday morning we drove to Shepparton to visit Aldi and the SPC shop to top up the cupboards again.  

While there we stopped for a coffee at a lovely cafe in an old converted church and were amused by all the 'Friar Tuck' ornaments on the shelves.  All became clear when we walked outside and saw the name - Friars Cafe.  Across the road was the Uniting Church and being Sunday I thought a photo was appropriate.

With just one week at home it was time to hit the road again as we made our way to Ballarat to meet Cheryl and Shane.  Bill had been given a Red Balloon voucher for his birthday for a Murder Mystery night at Kryal Castle and so the four of us were off on an adventure.  We had all decided to stay overnight and found a little motel on the edge of Ballarat.

We met in the afternoon and had lunch in a nice little cafe near the Cathedral.  Yummy and warm inside as outside it was typical Ballarat weather, cold and miserable.  Just down the road St Patricks Cathedral looked very stately on this chilly day.

From here we had a wander around the Botanic Gardens and just loved all the colourful flowers in the Begonia House.  The little cottage now used as an art shop was fun to wander through as well.  We left the gardens and went in search of the motel and not too much later were dressed and in a cab for our night of murder and mayhem.

Now I must mention here that I am not a fan of theatre restaurants so I was not expecting much but I also need to say that we had a great night.  The whole thing from start to finish was fun and entertaining, dinner was nice and it really was an interesting way to see Kryal Castle as you had to wander round with torches from place to place to find your clues.  Chilly - yes but lots of laughs.

Of course I can't tell you 'whodunnit' or I would have to kill you!

The next morning we met up for breakfast and soon after were on our way back to our respective homes.  It had been a fun weekend.

The next couple of weeks saw Bill return to Shepparton a number of times as the car went in for a service and a new air con, thankfully under warranty as it had only been a year since it was replaced last time, then the van was taken in for a service as well.  I think the car knew the route by heart now and could have gone by itself.  

The next Sunday a surprise visitor appeared at our door and we enjoyed a nice afternoon with Jo as she was heading up to Yackandandah for another week at work.  It was great to see her again and hear all about the new beers that Trevor is brewing.   'Till the cows come home' Pale Ale and 'Clear as mud' Porter style are proving to be big hits by all who taste them.  Well done guys and good luck!

The next weekend was Anzac Day and this year we walked down to attend the morning ceremony.  It was a beautiful day and it was lovely to see the young people from various groups marching with the few old timers left.  The ceremony was very nice and we enjoyed a cup of coffee and a sandwich afterwards.

The following weekend we ventured a little bit further afield and drove up to Albury to see The Caravan and Camping show.  There were a few bits we wanted to buy and had not been able to find them in the shops.  It was just a small show but we found what we wanted and left happy.  On the way back we stopped at Chiltern for a late lunch and were sad to see that our favourite cafe had closed.  The Mulberry Tree is up for sale so I guess Regina retired at last.  The bakery seemed a poor substitute but it was the only option other than the pub.  The pies were nice though.

Back at home we enjoyed a movie on Saturday night.  My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 was almost as good as the first one and we had a good laugh.  The next day I got 'my country on' and made marmalade.  Wilma has a lime tree which has produced more limes than she knows what to do with so she dropped a bagful in to me.  I made a lime cake which used 2 and had no idea what else to do with them.  Bill suggested the marmalade so a quick look at the CWA cookbook and we were ready to go.  Ten jars of Lime Marmalade made and it was yummy.  I'm very impressed with myself I must say! 

One problem though, it had only used half of the limes, so the next week I repeated the process and this time had six (larger) jars which I took to line dancing with me and they all disappeared pretty quickly.

We had not driven down to Melbourne for Mothers Day so decided we would pop down and see the family before we head north again this year so we caught the train during the next week.  We had a lovely dinner with everyone at the Chelsea RSL and really enjoyed catching up again.  After dinner we went home with Maree and stayed the night with her and had a lovely time chatting madly til bedtime.  The next morning we caught the train back to town where we did some shopping, had lunch and caught the train home again.  It was a long day but much better than driving.

The next week we were heading back to Shepparton to pick up the van.  When we left it for a service we discussed upgrading the solar and battery capacity to allow us to stay out longer.  We decided to go ahead and get this done and so we had an empty spot in the back yard for a few weeks.  Today we were bringing it home again.  All went well, did some shopping and picked it up and got back home just before dark.  Now we just have to clean it out and pack ready to leave in a weeks time.

Another surprise phone call on Saturday saw us welcome Merv and Noelene for an afternoon in the sun the next day.  We had met them in Tasmania and it was lovely to see them again.  While it was nice in the sun on Sunday the weather has since changed and winter has arrived with a vengeance.  The nights are down to 1 and 2 and the days are having real trouble reaching the forecast 13 and 14's.  It's winter and we shouldn't be here.  Only one week to go and we're off to find some warmth.

A special event this week as we became grandparents again for the fourth time with Taegan and Gareth welcoming another little boy to their family.  Ethan Joseph was born on the 25th May and looks adorable.  We look forward to meeting him a little later in the year.

We had a fun week catching up with friends in between packing to go.  Lunch at Alberts with Astrid and Hans was fun and the next day coffee and scones at The Jolly Jumbuck with Faye and Kevin was lovely.  So good to see friends before we run away again.

So just one more day to go and still lots to pack but for me it's time to say farewell and next time I write we'll be many miles from here.

until next time........