Friday 10th November 2006

The Paddle Steamer Emmy Lou	We woke this morning to a very clear blue sky and a warm sun, with the prospect of a day of twenty nine degrees. Once we were organised the washing machines were heard calling so whilst 'One of Us' had a shower, the 'Other One' took the washing to the laundry and joined the ladies in a meaningful chat over the machines like all us domestic people do..... By the time the machines had completed their task, well maybe finished the cycle is more like it because in around fifteen minutes for a wash it is pretty doubtful they wash really clean, Pammy decided it was her turn to visit the the laundry, maybe that had something to do with the fact she saw a young fellow over there who was being very friendly with the ladies.... She does deny that of course!!!	The Paddle Steamer Pevensey
With the washing completed and on the line, we walked out of the caravan park at about 10:15a.m. and made our way up to the Port area in Echuca, taking the odd photograph or two of the river boat paddle steamers as they plied their way up and down the river. Once in the Port area we called in to a booking office to see what paddle boats we might be able to catch a ride on and then decided to take the Emmy Lou lunch trip that departed the port at 11:15a.m. Tickets for this 90 minute journey cost $22.50 each, however that did not include the lunch (naturally) which could be purchased on board.	Lunch on the Paddle Steamer Emmy Lou	Having the tickets in hand, 'One of Us' sat in the shade of a river gum tree near the river whilst the 'Other One' high tailed it back to the caravan to pick up the video camera and some spare batteries for the digital camera. At 11:15a.m. we boarded the Emmy Lou just before she cast off her lines and headed up river. Along the way the skipper gave a running commentary on the other paddle boats as we passed them and on the area in general. This ride took us through the Port of Echuca itself and then under the road bridge we had crossed over with the caravan the day before, then on up the river for the next 45 minutes.
The Paddle Steamer Canberra	Along the way we settled back at a table on the outside decking and not only enjoyed the passing view, the soup of the day was great, Pammy's veal was superb (so she said... no taste samples were offered) and the Spaghetti with yabbies was something very special as well. This was all assisted down with a couple of glasses of very fruity riesling (from the Clare Valley) for Pammy and two very pleasant glasses of local shiraz for the 'Other One'. After around forty five minutes the Emmy Lou turned around and started the journey back to the port. Along the way we enjoyed the last of the main meal and then rounded it off with a Lemon tart with cream and a cup of tea each... Pammy was in heaven... She was in Echuca, on a paddle steamer with all this great food and a good glass of wine, what more could she want... other than another glass of wine please! And so far we haven't mentioned the mighty Murray River, maybe not so mighty as far as water quantity at this time due to the droughts, however it is still a very impressive sight with the huge River Gums and other majestic trees lining either side of the river.	The Port of Echuca

We arrived back at the port of Echuca and had tied up to the landing by 12:45p.m. and after paying for our meal and drinks $91.00 (cheap at twice the price) we disembarked the Emmy Lou and strolled back along the river to the caravan park where the air conditioner was turned on and Pammy had a little rest on the bed for some time... Nothing to do with the wine at all she says.

One thing we forgot to include in yesterdays journal entry was the fact that when we were driving out of the park,we saw a vehicle in the caravan park with the number plate CA.212, which is a Western Australian registration for our original home town of Carnamah, so we drove around to the front of the caravan that it was parked at and discovered it was David Hienrich and his wife Joan. David and Joan used to own a farm next door to my brother Rex, not far from Carnamah so we stopped and had a chat for a short time before continuing on our way to do some shopping in Echuca. They have been traveling with friends and are due back in Western Australia in about eleven days.

The rest of the afternoon was treated as a rest period and tomorrow we intend to walk through the Port precinct where Pammy is bound to find even more souvenirs to add to the huge number already stashed all around the caravan. There have been hints made by 'One of Us' to the effect that the hotel in the port area does serve great lunches as well, but the 'Other One has bad tinitus and is quite hard of hearing... Not sure he can get away with that excuse for long though... she can shout pretty loud when she wants to!

Saturday 11th November 2006

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month "WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM" with one minutes silence

They gave their lives to ensure our freedom of speech and choice, surely that is not too much to ask in remembrance of those who sacrificed all they had for this country

Sunday 12th November 2006

In Bendigo City

Dry countryside near Daylesford

The Station Markets in Daylesford

After a couple of really good days in Echuca, we woke to a wet morning as it had rained a little overnight, however it was time to move on, but as we were only going as far a Daylesford we took our time getting organised (once again) and didn't pull out of the caravan park until 9:05a.m. We drove through the Port of Echuca for the last time on this trip and headed out of town following the directions of Miss Bossy and the road signs toward Bendigo.

When we reached Rochester we turned south and drove through Elmore, Goornon, Huntly and Epsom before arriving in Bendigo which is quite a large city area and of course, the home of Bendigo Pottery and The Bendigo Bank. We were unable to stop on the way through Bendigo, however we did drive through the city centre where there are a number of older and historic buildings standing proudly in the streets.

Just out of Bendigo we passed through Kangaroo Flat then on through Ravenswood before arriving in Harcourt where we turned west and traveled through Castlemain, Campbells Creek and Guildford before arriving in Daylesford at about 11:30a.m. where Miss Bossy directed us through the town to the Daylesford Victoria Caravan Park.

After setting up the caravan for the next three nights and having a light lunch (think we should have had a lot more of them along the way!) we drove out to the Station Markets in Daylesford that are on one Sunday each month... and Pammy cracked the Sunday they were on. We strolled through the markets and saw everything from pigs ears to an ancient gramophone, from second hand shoes to old tilly lamps, Very second hand crockery to tools that have been well used over the past sixty years or more and everything in between. They were very interesting and a good number of the people there were also 'very interesting. When Pammy was buying two books from one of the stands, she was also given the life story of the stall holder, right from his three failed years at school to his brother who married into a 'rough' family and used the f*** word all the time... Not bad for a three minute transaction.

After browsing all the way around the markets we returned to the caravan for the rest of the afternoon and Pammy watched an afternoon movie on TV whilst the web site was completed by the 'Other One'.

Tomorrow, as long as the weather is fine, we shall have a better look around Daylesford which does look rather quaint and has some mineral springs and baths that may need checking out as well. Then we may explore further afield the following day if time is available.