Thursday, April 19, 2012
IN DENI
We enjoyed Deni, it is a delightful town, known as the 'Ute Capital of the World' and has a ute parade each year which at its height had 10,000 entries at the 2010 Festival.
We toured the island sanctuary and viewed the many birds and animals, shopping in the township which serves 8,000 people, had 2 meals for the price of one at the RSL - yummy !
We also explored the canal systems and the syphoning of the canals under roads and rivers - interesting !
We adore the beauty of the Red River Gums and took many photos.
The time has come for us to move on and we expect to be in Yass with the family on Saturday
We toured the island sanctuary and viewed the many birds and animals, shopping in the township which serves 8,000 people, had 2 meals for the price of one at the RSL - yummy !
We also explored the canal systems and the syphoning of the canals under roads and rivers - interesting !
We adore the beauty of the Red River Gums and took many photos.
The time has come for us to move on and we expect to be in Yass with the family on Saturday
DENILIQUIN
Travelling the Northern Highway to Echuca - we found it bustling with school holliday folk, so we continued to Deniliqin or Deni as the locals call it. We are staying at the "DENI CAR-O-TEL" - get it - caravan/hotel, it is economically priced with an ensuite to each site - standard !
Deni sits beside the Edward River which flows into the Murrumbidgee River.
The first trip we did was back to Echuca some 77 klm - wool was the lifeblood of the area and Echuca bustled with activity and the wharf was extended considerably to house the wool whilst waiting to be railed to Melbourne. Things declined in the early 20th centurey, but in 1974 the old port was recreated and so this was what John and I explored; driving back mid afternoon so he could watch the Chinese Grand Prix.
A couple of days later we drove north along the Cobb Highway to Hay, passing plains which still held some of the flood water from the past weeks. Along this highway was "The Long Paddock" where cattlemen take their herds and travel along feeding and getting condition on them ready for market.
I found Hay interesting and after doing our usual walk around the historic buildings we popped out to the Dunera Museum in the old Railway Station which housed a display of extraordinary stories of the WW2 internment camp, containing Germans, Austrians, Italians, Japanese, later Jews brought from Europe. The tales of sadness, frustration, loneliness and also fun times, artefacts, photographs all were very entertaining.
In the afternoon the historic Bishops Lodge, a remarkable iron building constructed in 1889 for the Anglican Bishop of the region. It had remarkable technology in its construction, was insulated with sawdust, and special ventilation to handle the harsh Riverina climate. The extensive grounds housed many varieties of roses and touring these added to my enjoyment.
Along the way home we explored the Black Swamp and the Headless Horseman which is rumoured to have ridden in that district.
Deni sits beside the Edward River which flows into the Murrumbidgee River.
The first trip we did was back to Echuca some 77 klm - wool was the lifeblood of the area and Echuca bustled with activity and the wharf was extended considerably to house the wool whilst waiting to be railed to Melbourne. Things declined in the early 20th centurey, but in 1974 the old port was recreated and so this was what John and I explored; driving back mid afternoon so he could watch the Chinese Grand Prix.
A couple of days later we drove north along the Cobb Highway to Hay, passing plains which still held some of the flood water from the past weeks. Along this highway was "The Long Paddock" where cattlemen take their herds and travel along feeding and getting condition on them ready for market.
I found Hay interesting and after doing our usual walk around the historic buildings we popped out to the Dunera Museum in the old Railway Station which housed a display of extraordinary stories of the WW2 internment camp, containing Germans, Austrians, Italians, Japanese, later Jews brought from Europe. The tales of sadness, frustration, loneliness and also fun times, artefacts, photographs all were very entertaining.
In the afternoon the historic Bishops Lodge, a remarkable iron building constructed in 1889 for the Anglican Bishop of the region. It had remarkable technology in its construction, was insulated with sawdust, and special ventilation to handle the harsh Riverina climate. The extensive grounds housed many varieties of roses and touring these added to my enjoyment.
Along the way home we explored the Black Swamp and the Headless Horseman which is rumoured to have ridden in that district.
EASTER IN BENDIGO
On Good Friday we parked in a side street and walked into town to enjoy the carnival, craft and produce market, animal farm, veteran/vintage and classic car display, entertainment in the rotunda, chinese dancing and chinese dragon displays, easter egg hunting. After lunch we toured the Golden Dragon Museum which contained a stunning number of displays (the camera got a workout - again) plus the associated temple and Chinese Gardens.
On Saturday we watched even more colourful displays of chinese activities including several dragons one impressed me with the nimble running, jumping, weaving and stacking. In the afternoon the Awakening The Dragon Ceremony, drum beating, 100,000 crackers, clowns, bands - it was hot - much going on - we went home too tired to stay on for the evening parade and fireworks.
Sunday was the Gala Parade containing the world's longest imperial Dragon, jumping lion dancers and many interesting locals, bands, all the usual plus the chinese element. It was very entertaining and we went home eventually feeling topped up on chinese culture.
On Saturday we watched even more colourful displays of chinese activities including several dragons one impressed me with the nimble running, jumping, weaving and stacking. In the afternoon the Awakening The Dragon Ceremony, drum beating, 100,000 crackers, clowns, bands - it was hot - much going on - we went home too tired to stay on for the evening parade and fireworks.
Sunday was the Gala Parade containing the world's longest imperial Dragon, jumping lion dancers and many interesting locals, bands, all the usual plus the chinese element. It was very entertaining and we went home eventually feeling topped up on chinese culture.
CONTINUING IN BENDIGO
We set off exploring the surrounding districts which included the towns of Daylesford, Castlemaine, and Maldon all having historic aspects which were evidently highly valued, therefore the highlights of each are being preserved by the current locals, which we explored and enjoyed. All of these towns had goldrush histories and that is shown in the elaborate designs of the buildings, both public and private and they were a delight to explore.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
BENDIGO
We subsequently drove to Bendigo - gold mining again - and pulled into the Showgrounds on advice from a chap in Ballarat, we found an area up high, some grass, power and water supplied and the usual showground fee of $20 per night. Decided to stay over the Easter period, had heard of the festivities that happen at that time of year, and also that their Art Gallery had an exhibition on Grace Kelly, some of her clothes and accessories.
Booked for the Sunday afternoon while John was watching motor racing. Oh it was a lovely experience - the classic styling of her outfits - beautiful tailoring - gorgeous. There was also some video of her and I gloried in her beauty, the exhibition included a photo of her meeting Princess Diana and comparison was made of how they were both style icons and met their deaths in vehicle accidents. One benefit of that is that the image of them both remains beautiful !
We did not do a lot while there, had a rest, did some housework and washing in the free washing machine.
Soon the carnival trucks began to come - bearing the rides and games for the Easter Festival.
Booked for the Sunday afternoon while John was watching motor racing. Oh it was a lovely experience - the classic styling of her outfits - beautiful tailoring - gorgeous. There was also some video of her and I gloried in her beauty, the exhibition included a photo of her meeting Princess Diana and comparison was made of how they were both style icons and met their deaths in vehicle accidents. One benefit of that is that the image of them both remains beautiful !
We did not do a lot while there, had a rest, did some housework and washing in the free washing machine.
Soon the carnival trucks began to come - bearing the rides and games for the Easter Festival.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
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