Thurs, 30th July, 2015 Greens Campground, Whroo Historic Reserve

  

7am 9.7 degrees in van. 9am 6.2 degrees outside. Overcast dreary start to the day.

Had a chat with Jon when he rang about a work issue.

Steve headed off in search of those pesky bits of gold that are hiding from him!! I worked on my blog and chatted.

After lunch we headed down to find Fountainbleu Dam (I had a brochure about the area) which is another mining area in the Rushworth State Forest.

It is marked as a picnic area but there is plenty of room to camp.

A puddler beside the dam.

Steve decided it is too cold to detect – feels like 5 degrees. Headed back along the tracks. Someone seems to be digging a shaft or something and they have put up No Entry signs but no lease number or anything. Decided it wasn’t worth getting too close!!

Found a burnt out car further along beside a hillside covered in black boys though I think we should call them Fat Boys as they are much larger that our northern versions.

Nearly back to camp and we stopped to check out a heap of cyanide tanks nearby.

Even a small mine shaft opening. Got to watch where you are walking around here.

Steve and the others got the fire going early 3.30pm as it is so cold and bleak today – they had forecast rain. I made some pumpkin scones and we all chatted around the fire.

About 7pm spits of rain chased us inside. Checked the temperature and it was 8 degrees – always warms up a bit when it rains!!

Wed, 29th July, 2015 Greens Campground, Whroo Historic Reserve (exploring Rushworth)

8am it was 6.2 degrees in the van and 1.1 degrees outside and foggy.

Pete and Penny though were out cooking their breakfast – crazy people!!!

As the sun was out and the washing was piling up we got out the washing machine and started on the piles. Unfortunately by the time I had finished the clouds had moved in. Left the clothes on the line till 2 then bundled them up and headed into Rushworth to the dryer in the Laundromat. It is called the ‘Agitator’ and had an old machine with ringer on the footpath. It was originally the first Catholic Church.

For $8 got all the washing dry including sheets and towels so all clean again.

Next door was the Rushworth Hotel Motel which was originally the Cricketers Inn, established in 1878.

The info board had a great map showing the site of historic buildings and what they originally were.

Also more information about the area.

Headed off up High Street to explore. A great mural.

It was on the shed that housed an old wagon and a canoe. No information provided about them though.

The buildings have the info plaques which is great.

Some old buildings across the street. The one on the left was originally a solicitors office, next door was Miller Store and another old shop.

Looking across the very wide street to the Criterion Hotel, established in 1856.

The Band Rotunda in the middle of the street.

Continued along reading all the plaques.

Found some lavender in bloom – smells so lovely.

The Shire Hall then the Court House with the newer police station and house in between.

Looking back down High Street and that is only one side of the road.

I forgot to get the Imperial Hotel building but got the door and the original step then the lovely garden behind it.

A couple more banks.

Then a bakery.

In the middle of the street is an electric BBQ, table and information.

And the fire tower.

Then a small shelter which is a war memorial.

It’s amazing how many newspapers were printed back in the old days when it was all done by hand when now we only get one and it is done by computer but of course we have the TV and radio giving us up to date info.

Obviously the railway line isn’t used anymore as it is a walking track. This old steam engine has been preserved but the info sign had fallen down inside.

Back to the other end of High Street to the Post Office.

Across the road is the Presbyterian Church – another St Andrews – just like home.

And behind it was the Manse.

Next door were a couple of lovely old buildings. The one on the left was formerly the Caitlin Home (but no info plaque on it).

Back to the truck and I went for a drive up Growlers Hill to the big fire tower – lots of old diggings around here. Pete used to be a fire spotter and was on the Tarrengower and Mt Ida towers for a couple of years when they lived near Heathcote. Getting darker and colder now and it is only 4pm.

Great view over Rushworth to Waranga Basin. Took a video as I walked around the tower. Mainly looking at bush with a few low ranges in the distance.

Drove back down and out to the Basin. The original 7km retaining wall for this project was completed in 1908 by man and horsepower, making it one of the earliest irrigation projects in Victoria. Bit low at the moment. There is a caravan park here which would be very popular in the summer months.

A worn out sign about the irrigation scheme.

Back through town and heading back to Whroo I found another info board about the timber industry next to the Whistle Stop. The steam engines hauling the timber would have to sound their whistle here to let people know they were coming into town.

This might be the old engine I saw in the shed.

I am loving all the colour starting to appear on the Golden Wattles.

Further along the road to the next Whistle Stop.

Back to the truck to join the others around the fire. It didn’t get over 8 degrees today and Steve hasn’t found any gold either. Isn’t exciting us much – lucky we have friends to commiserate with!! Pete went out on his own today as Penny has come down with a virus and he came back with a little bit – so there is hope.