Tues, 16th Jan, 2024 Gary & Cheryl’s place, Narre Warren North , Vic (Emerald and Dandenong area)

3am a storm came slowly around us. Lots of lightning, a few thunder rumbles but only a bit of rain so all good.

Slept in till 8am as it was now overcast, min was 20 degrees so it didn’t take long to warm up as the sky started to clear.

Joined the others for a cuppa and chat and they offered to take us for a drive up to see some falls and check out the bakery at Emerald - one of the best they say.

Glad Gary is driving! Into Emerald (est 1858), Gem of the Hills. Parked near the park where one of Puffing Billy’s station are. Around the corner to EVB - Emerald Village Bakery. Steve and I definitely give this 9 out of 10 for best bakery award. There is so much to chose from and big enough you could use a trolley. We decided on some yummy rolls for lunch. Sat outside to eat them as they have expanded and only have a few seats inside, hence the one point off. The food was delicious.

Across the road I spotted a history sign so we all went over and got a history lesson.

I heard a toot and we rushed down to the station just in time to see Puffing Billy come through. Wow no worries here about hanging out the windows! Will have to do the trip next time we are back and crawling around sightseeing.

Wow I don’t think we will be buying something here.

Nice mural on the stock feed place of Craig’s Hut.

Up the windy roads to Dandenong Ranges National Park to check out Sherbrooke Falls. Very pleasant walking in the shade of the tall trees - in the sun it is quite hot. It is a gradual climb upwards so working off our lunch.

Turned off the ridge track and down the steps to the falls. Lots of dead limbs extra below us and upstream it is just a small cascade. Gary and Cheryl hadn't been here before so they were disappointed too.

We walked across to the other side thinking that there was more too see but this was it. Would be nice if you could see it through all the foliage. Sadly the environmentalists are winning that nothing is trimmed back so views are disappearing. We have noticed a lot off lookouts don’t look out any more because the trees have grown up blocking the view.

The best bit was where it shot out over a rock under the bridge.

Big hollow log - I wonder who is sleeping in there?

It was a nice walk and the foliage is certainly thick though this big tree has cleared a few plants as it plunged down into the valley and across the other side.

Back to the car - nice pines in someone’s back yard.

Around to Sky High on Mount Dandenong (633m). Hazy view over Port Phillip Bay then around to the city.

Walked around to the platform - haze cleared a bit for a better photo of the city and the harbour - you can even see some ships.

Into the gardens to the Wishing Tree - the kids were having a great time climbing it and there are bubbles floating in the air. The wishing well hasn’t been maintained though and is full of rubbish.

Followed the track and found the ‘creek’ - recycled water.

Lots of lovely flowers out.

A wood carving as we followed the track down to the other end of the ‘creek’. The boys were looking for the pump!

Back to the main entrance and the totem pole which was carved out of a tree that died there. The top bit was made into the seat - could have put a bit more effort into the seat!

Back home - it got to 38 degrees in the camper but we did have it closed up in case of more rain.

Drinks then BBQ dinner and of course more chatting.