Sounds from a land down under

Gold Digging

We headed east in the footsteps of gold prospector Ned Stringer in search of the remnants of Victoria's richest gold mine and a nice weekend in the hills. Walhalla's population is a little down on the gold rush days, there were over 5,000 then now it's about 8. Still a few of the buildings remain and we stayed in one of them. The old Mill cottage. Once we had got over the initial shock of discovering very little had been done to Mill Cottage since the gold ran out in 1911 and survived the first night's sleep we revived our spirits with a nice morning in the sun on the balcony feeding the parrots. It's a good thing we were blessed with bright winter sun because it made the trip to the dunny in the garden more pleasant and took the edge off the unheated outside bathroom (yes, it was another trip booked by Will). Walhalla proved entertaing with an informative tour of the long tunnel extended gold mine, a great railway trip down the stringer's creek gorge and Ron's 4WD tour, which was particularly enjoyed by Will and largely tolerated by Thea - after driving through the Thomson River Thea was quite persistent in making sure Ron had specifically confirmed there would be no further river crossings. After all that there was nothing for it but to take a walk to the Wally Lodge Hotel (pub) for a pie, pint and a bit of mixing with the locals. Although with its plus points by day the accommodation revealed its most serious drawbacks at night. There was something about every creak, groan and bump of a 150 year cottage in a village that prides itself on its ghost tours that was just a little unsettling. It's amazing how you can hold onto a wee when faced with a night hike to the dunny!

Are you dancin'

It's dancing time again. We put on the glad rags and razled dazzled our little hearts out at the annual Connell Wagner dinner dance. Ably assisited by some wonderful friends who had T and D for a sleepover we had a great time and got home far too late for sensible parent type people. This time we were older and wiser and took the photo before we went out rather than when we got back!
 

Thanks Lizzie

You gotta be rapt that we get a day off for Lizzie's Birthday. Good old Queenie. So it was head to the Dandenongs for a little mountain air and good old family time. You know the thing, kids screaming in the car all the way there, starts to rain just when you're about to arrive, spend ages driving past various tea shops trying to decide which one looks worth spending all day in! Bit like a holiday in Wales really.

Now living in Aus you tend to notice the little differences such as the more informal approach to life here - so you end up with roads with evocative names such as, 'Bonza View'. To be fair, once the mist had cleared a little to an almost penetrable haze there was the vague impression of a fine view.

But the weather did dry off for the afternoon and we made it around William Ricketts Sanctuary and the unusual selection of sculpture in amongst the ferns depicting aboriginal spirituality with a generous helping of eastern mysticism stirred in for good measure.

 
 
 
 

Busy busy world

It's busy being 4. For a start there's all the groups and activities to get to. Then there's the parties. So when Abi and Lia sent out invites for parties on the same day it was just as well that Abi was a doing a brunch party at the playground and that Lia was doing a craft making thing in the afternoon. How much refined sugar can a small person consume? Quite a lot apparenty.

 
 
 
 

Thanks Grandma

We love the new jumpers Grandma

 

New house, new challenges

Well after a flutter of frantic house hunting we moved into a new gaff in Clifton Hill. Certain compromises had to be made. First was the space, we're now down to 2 bedrooms, and second was amenities, there's no bath. Still who needs a bath when there's a utility room sink. Still a bath on your own is no fun so we got ... tuff tubs. A huge hit from the first night on, the tuff tub is deep, warm and endlessly enjoyable.