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.

Day 13

Lazy day today - had a walk up the road to the reservoir past the old orphanage

Saw some of the Christmas decorations around the streets

Day 12

The weather has finally  warmed up  so we were able to walk into Bendigo this morning. There are lots of beautifully maintained old buildings.

 Rosalind Park has recovered from the fruit bat and possum attacks and looks cool and green once again.

Had a yummy  lunch at Puggh's Pub.

Day 11

 Instead of driving straight down the freeway we  went through the King Valley wine area and up the mountains to Mansfield. Had lunch at Captain Power's lookout.

Stopped for a beer at Molesworth Pub then got a little lost but eventually arrived in Bendigo.

Cheyenne was very patient and after dinner we put the tree up.

Day 10 Over the border

We made it over the border this morning and continued down the coast a bit before heading inland to tackle the Alpine Highway. Well, lucky we both have strong hearts - what a scary trip down the mountain.

There were lots of dead trees which looked very spectacular but I don't really understand
why...........

Staying in Bright tonight and should arrive in Bendigo early afternoon tomorrow

Day 9

On the road again today further down the South Coast. We've decided that we 'll have to come back one day and spend a week going into all the little coastal towns we passed on the highway.

We had lunch at Tathra pub and (as the weather continues to be cold and windy) bought some extra warm clothes at the op shop in Bega.

Boydtown Pub at Twofold Bay is amazing. The owners have restored the old place without losing it's character to an excellent standard. It sits right on the edge of the bay looking back over to Eden and is only a short drive off the highway.

Over the border and up to the snow fields tomorrow.

Day 8

The weather finally turned windy and rainy today today after bucking the prediction for rain over the last few days. Luckily there was plenty of beer, leftover Thanksgiving food and  indoor games to choose from.

We played Simpson's Scrabble and the teenagers fought it out in the Game of Life.
Off further down the coast tomorrow.

Day 7

Off to the op shop this morning while Boris and Kris went to the Christmas Tree farm and chose this years tree.



A little late but we celebrated Thanksgiving together with a huge turkey and lots of traditional extras - yum yum !!! Thanks Kris.

Day 6

The drive out of Sydney began well with not too much traffic but when we got just passed the Olympic Stadium at Homebush everything came to a stop. For the next  hour or more we crawled along in a traffic jam caused by an accident up ahead. Luckily it wasn't a hot day!!!!

Took a detour through the Royal National Park, down through Stanwell Tops and down the coast road over the overhanging bridge road. What a beautiful drive. 

Took 7 hours to get to Woollamia and then time to relax.

Day 5 - 1st day of summer

The first day of summer started off cold and windy for our trip into Sydney and made for a bit of a rough trip on the ferry.

We walked around Sydney all day and lunched at The John Young pub's Spanish restaurant. Passed a number of street beggars but also some beautiful Christmas decorations.

                                                          



Off to the South Coast tomorrow,