Canberra With The 0 degrees Mornings!

Well, we did not feel those cold mornings because we stayed in our cosy bed until it warmed up.  Ha ha!  Last Saturday morning I received a call from Craig who put Madison on the phone to read out her essay that she received an A mark for at school.  I was crying by the time she finished as she put so much feeling and passion into reading it to me.  It was "Your favourite City"  She chose Canberra, and opened our minds to see so much more when we arrived here.
 Soo.... today we spent the whole day at the Australian War Memorial.  Both Wayne and I had been looking forward to seeing the recently refurbished First World War galleries.  The hardship those men had to endure fighting for their country leaves me so thankful we have not had to face those atrocities in our lifetime here in Australia or New Zealand.

This is one of the boats our troops landed on the shores at Gallipoli with the bullet holes

Landing at Gallipoli

We took a break for lunch at Poppy's then headed back into the rest of the areas depicting WWII, the navy, air force with their visual and audio presentations left me thinking of my uncle Bob in the air force in England.  He was in bombers.  Tracey and Craig's Grandfather was a gunner in Egypt, Italy and not sure where else.  These exhibits bought it all to reality.

The "Icing On The Cake" for Wayne and I was to stay and Join The Last Post Ceremony held at 5pm approx. each evening.  Incorporating the stirring sounds of a bugler and a piper with the story of one of the Australians recorded on the Roll of Honour.  We watched as two wreaths were laid during the ceremony.

On The Way To Gundagai

We are enjoying calling into smaller towns for one night as we did at Gundagai a couple of nights ago.  Got there around lunchtime so took a stroll up to town to have some lunch.  A “Ned Kelly” Burger at The Bushranger Cafe, so had to walk that off.  Meandered down the main street as you do and found a sign pointing to two historic bridges.  It is becoming a great way of understanding how towns evolve and when they started to be built.  Most towns put plaques up in front of historic places to tell the story.  Big floods happened here when the Murrumbidgee river broke the banks over the years

Prince Alfred Viaduct 1896 - 1898 to build

The Rail Viaduct 1903 (see behind the trees to the left as well)

Both bridges from the river walk on the township side.

In 1853, 79 people lost their life because of the flood that swept through the town.  This momument names all of those people from babies to old folk.  Also beside this is a flood level height marker with dates showing how high the waters came up from the Murrumbidgee River throughout the years.

These statues mind us of the popular radio serial broadcast throughout Australia
Dad and Dave, Mum and Maud which incorporated the "On The Road To Gundagai".

The Tucker Box Dog is 5 kilometres east of Gundagai remembering the bullock driver that had his lunchbox commandeered by the dog!!

Lake Hume

Thank you Glenda for suggesting we stay out here rather than in Albury.  We pulled up here with wonderful sunshine today which brightens anybodies spirits.  After lunch and drinking in the ambiance of the lake, watching the fishermen and families out on, and around the shores we decided to head into and take in the sights and history of this city.  From Memorial Hill on could get a great view overlooking the city of Albury with the Murray river meandering through the city and on through the countryside westwards.

Walking around the shores of Murray River at Hovell Tree Park which also has the tree that Hovell and Hume explorers are remembered.

We then took a drive through the northern side of Albury with all the sporting grounds, parks where families were enjoying their "Queens Birthday" Holiday Monday before we made our way to the Kinross Woolshed Hotel at Thurgoona for a drink and celebratiion dinner for my 66th!!!  Loved the ambience of this place with all its history.  A great night to finish off an unforgettable day.

Getting Warmer!!

As we travelled up the A300 to Shepparton and then on through to Benalla we realised this is the "Goulburn Fruit" region with all the fruit trees lining the roadsides as well as vineyards.

After a break in Shepparton then another in Benalla we decided to keep driving today and so stopped at "Ironbark Rest Area" beside the Hume Highway.  It was a very busy stop for all travellers heading north but it did not worry us.  Even the railway behind us was not too noisy through the night.

Bendigo

Arriving here, we were only going to stop in town for a quick look before settling into the Gold Nugget Holiday Park before heading on up the highway but decided to go and unhitch the rig and head back into the city as there was soo..... much to have a closer look at.
Yes, we strolled through the botanic gardens, walked the circumference of Lake Weeroona before going back into town, stopping for a coffee at "The good Loaf - Sourdough Bakery and Cafe" which is a heritage listed building.  Has heaps of history we are told.  Originally built as an American Tyre Company's building.  We thought it might have been a bus terminal!!!

Bendigo Botanical Gardens even has a bird sanctuary with exodic looking birds
and this century old shelter with fretwork and modern bbq's for the local folk 

Looking across Lake Weeroona with a tram in the background left of building

The Heritage listed building we stopped and had a coffee

From the Old to the New opposite each other

This town has so much to offer.  Golden Dragon Museum, regional art galleries, ghost tour, tramway museum and of course, shopping and parks to enjoy.  I loved the opulent architecture seen throughout the town.

The water fountain in the centre of town with old historic buildings in the background still in use.

Reminds me of the cathderal's we saw in Europe last year.  Such a large cathedral here in Bendigo.  One of many in this town I might add.

Goldfields

Still having to fill in days at Ballarat, we ventured out to Clunes a really old gold mining precinct with centuries old buildings, mostly closed down now but others have been revamped and offer delightful book shops, antique shops, lollie shops and of course, coffee and bakery shops.

The little cottage Circa 1850's is still a dwelling in use today

These shops are all closed up now but as you can see in previous days, this was a butchers as advertised above the door.

The Town Hall.  What a majestic looking building even today.

We travelled over to Cresswick and still the buildings tell of the yester-year happenings with gold mines and sheep farming.

We left Ballarat to head over to Bendigo leaving the dismall weather as last night's sun setting clouds promised better days but no - thick low fog for a couple of hours with rain thrown-in for measure!!

The Windmill Holiday Park that serves pancakes for breakfast to all campers on a Saturday morning.

Ballarat

We have parked at Ballarat Pioneer Park Freedom Camping for 2 nights which is just off the Western Freeway.  Very Convenient for travellers.  It is cold and wet here but we got out and about eventually from our cosy warm bed each day!!!!!!!

The sun shone very fleetingly as we stopped over the city-side of Lake Wendouree

By the time we got around to the northern-side of the Lake for a coffee, it was raining!

After that, we then parked-up at the Big 4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park which has a lovely heated pool and  beautiful amenities that make the cold easier to manage.
Today we ventured out to the city along Remembrance Drive through the Avenue of Honour Victory Arch, down Sturt Street into town marvelling at the grand old buildings on the way.

Each tree you see behind The Avenue of Honour has a soldiers name with a poppy on each one. Goes for kilometres.

  We tried to go up Black Hill Lookout but it seems that it is not a drive to lookout!?  Decided to go over to Sovereign Hill and as we had already been through the Park we opted to spend a couple of hours in the Gold Museum.  Very interesting place to understand the history back in 1851 when gold was found in the districts around Ballarat.  Also an informative WWI area of the "Ballarat Boys" that put their country first.  Letters to/from the boys while overseas bought the whole situation home.

Oh, some of these have been found in the 2000's so there is still gold out there!!