Fri, 18th September, 2015 Janet & Geoff’s, Smiths Gully

14 degrees when Steve got up at 6am. Put the heater on when we got up at 8am only for a while as the sun was shining in and warming us up.

Unfortunately the sun didn’t last and the coolness crept in again. After a cuppa we loaded in the ‘Goo’, Roger’s modified Renault van to take his wheelchair. Steve drove as Janet is being good and looking after her shoulder. Across town to Keilor to collect Roger. He is in a lovely MS unit with great nurses looking after him. Chatted as we headed to the Boathouse on the Maribyrnong River for lunch.

Passed an old munitions factory where Steve thought Griffo might have worked when he lived down here. Managed a photo of one of the now derelict buildings.

Lovely big palms around the boathouse and park area.

Delicious lunch and plenty of chatter with my two cousins. Went for a stroll down to the river where Roger said body parts where found recently of a murdered man!!

The old 1922 Rotunda has been given a facelift and originally a small lake was around it but that was deemed unsafe beside a children’s playground so now it has been made into a garden.

Steve took a photo of the three ‘Brotherton’ cousins.

Nice spot for a picnic too.

Back into the car and further to a spot Roger likes – The Lake. It was an old quarry and has now become ‘a place to live’ with lots of units and flash homes.

Not sure what this chap is looking for!!

Around to the other end looking down on the Lake.

Dropped Roger back off – so glad we were able to spend some time with him. Back onto the motorway heading back to Smiths Gully.

Through Diamond Creek which was an old goldmining area started in the 1840s.

At Hurstbridge we saw the remnants of the Wattle Festival with lots of woven decorations on the fence and wrapped around trees.

Zoomed in on the huge pig in the paddock across from Janet’s place. Steve said he is as big as a small car.

Helped clear some weeds from the horse paddocks. The chooks love the weeds which is good and they are all laying well so lots of eggs to eat.

Rang Mum for a chat. Lou rang to say Nathan is coming to Bathurst too and will fly down with Brian. Pete sent some photos of his fishing trip – they got lots of good fish.

Nice and warm in the house with the wood fire going as it was a lot cooler outside. The sky has cleared and the stars were all out as we headed back to the van.