Day 20 - big city lights and the end of the journey

Tonight is the last night of our tavellin south holiday and I'm both happy and sad to be going home on the plane tomorrow. We left Bendigo and caught the train to Melbourne this morning - thanks Dianne for driving us to the station. Southern Cross Station is quite unique with it's large sails forming the roof. Walked up La Trobe St from Central Station to our apartment in Exploration Lane - right in the middle of Melbourne.

Walked around for an hour looking for a pub and a meal and couldn't find one - very different to what we've become used to in Bendigo (how many pubs would you pass if you walked around Bendigo for an hour , a dozen??) Caught the free tram right around the loop - how good is free transport?

Had a beer and dinner in Lygon Street just up the road and then watched the sunset over the city.

Terry is getting better with his phobia of heights.

We've had a fabulous holiday - thanks to everyone for letting us stay - hope we can do some more tavelling south again next year too 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Day 19 - last night in Bendigo

Walked up to the top of the Poppet Head which gives you a great view of Bendigo.

Lunch at the Rifle was delicious. Then it was time for Cheyenne's school performance. Had fish and chips for dinner. Couldn't get a very good view but their song was great.

Starting to feel very close to Christmas now !!!

Day 18

Not often I can wake up and have breakfast in the spa like this morning!!! The Acacia Terrace apartments in Echuca are very luxurious and have everything you could want. Drove back to Bendigo via Prairie and Dingee - the irrigation ditches and occasional trees are only things to break up the flat, brown fields.

Had a lazy afternoon and a walk up the hill to pick up Cheyenne from school.

Day 17

Took about  an hour and a half to drive to Echuca through the flat plains area north of Bendigo today. The town is bigger than we expected and has lots of pubs and eateries. We had lunch at the Shamrock (again) toady, but this was an Irish pub in the middle of Echuca.

Yes I had seafood in a pub that is as far west as the Gulf of Carpentaria !!!!! Terry had the Celtic Chicken pie.

We went over to the old wharf area and (just our luck) it is all fenced off for upgrading. Saw a paddle steamer leaving the wharf on a tiny viewing platform with 5 other people.

Walked across the bridge over the great Murray River, with it's beautiful Red River Gums, to the NSW town of Moama - heaps of  border traffic.

Got a pizza and a jug of beer for $20 for dinner.



Day 16

Another lazy counter lunch today at the huge and historic Shamrock Hotel (Charles and Lady Di have been there!). We planned to sit on the veranda and watch the Bedigonians go by but, as the restaurant is downstairs, ended up at street level in front of the huge glass windows - great view of the people AND the trams.
Had a walk down to the Bendigo Hat shop (no Terry didn't get anything) and the Cathedral.

Passed the fountain in the centre of the main street on the walk back.

Off to Echuca tomorrow for an overnight stay.

Day 15

We drove down to Sunbury (just over an hour) to visit my cousins and auntie Val.

Had a bbq and a few beers and my relos got to meet Mikayla. Cheyenne went to a xmas party with her Nanny and Poppy. The weather was freezing and a little rainy but we had a great time.

day 14

Had lunch at the Botanical and a little walk through the gardens before the rain started.

Visited Bendigo Pottery and bought to new tea cups - just hope they fit in our luggage for the trip home. Poppy came to visit.

Stayed up late to check out the Christmas lights nearby (Cheyenne got to sit on Santa's knee) but couldn't make the eclipse later on - probably too cloudy anyhow.