Rain
on and off all night. 13 degrees in the van at 8am.
Blue
sky and puffy clouds as we head off after another shower of rain.
Up
through the Goulburn Valley and over the Goulburn River into Seymour. Through
Seymour and onto the Hume Highway. Steve is so impressed with wide 2 lane
highway going north and the southern traffic is well away with trees in
between. No chance of head on collisions here.
The
canola fields are beautiful and full of colour.
Pulled
into a rest area just north to have a cuppa – long drive!!! Nice big area with
plenty of parking bays, toilets and picnic facilities. Chatted with a couple on
the way to Canberra with a new compact van that folds down electrically. Cool.
Further
up the highway we turned off into Avenel. Stopped at beautiful old bridge over
Hughes Creek. We are on the Ned Kelly Trail. In 1865 Ned, aged 10, saved a 7
year old from drowning after he had fallen off the footbridge going to school,
into the creek’s swollen waters about 150m downstream from this bridge. Ned was
hailed a hero and awarded a 7 foot green silk sash. Ned wore this later during
the Glenrowan Siege. Ned lived here with his parents John ‘Red’ and Ellen and
siblings Annie, Maggie, Jim, Dan and Kate after moving here in late 1864. In
1865 ‘Red’ was tried at the local courthouse having a cow hide after stealing
the cow for food. He was sentenced 6 months hard labour. In December 1866 ‘Red’
died and is buried in the local cemetery. Ellen then had run-ins with the law
after her husband’s death so she moved her family to her relatives the ‘Quinns’
in north east Victoria.
This
bridge was built in 1869 replacing the wooden one built in 1847.
Lovely
old tree in the picnic area.
We
wandered over the bridge to get some photos of the 6 arches and the amazing
stonemasonry.
Such
a contrast to the ugly new bridge – nice to see the graffiti artists have left
the old bridge alone.
The
creek isn’t much nowadays as it is slowly being filled up with sand which is
called ‘sand slug’. On the info board are some early photos of the bridge and the
creek.
Steve
went back and brought the truck and van over the bridge to park on this side so
we could head off on the Ned Kelly walk.
Followed
the track down under the bridge then along the creek to a fork in the track.
Unfortunately they don’t put any more signs so we headed off to the right and found
some more info boards about the area’s history. Certainly was a lot more water
under the bridge than there is now.
Great
photo of the stage coach about 1890.
More
boards about the land.
We
wandered up the track through the flood area.
Spotted
this parrot before he darted off out of his home.
Steve
pointed out how this tree had been chopped down then grew up again over the old
stump.
No
more signs to follow so we walked up into the streets. I was smart and brought
an umbrella as the rain squalls had been coming over regularly. Steve didn’t so
we hid in a bus shelter as another squall passed. Steve entertained himself
reading all about who loves who on the walls – Linda seemed very popular!!
Lots
of lovely colourful flowers everywhere – it is spring though it feels like
winter today. Should have put on the big coats as well.
Found
the Cemetery with an ornate gate that took us a bit to work out how to get in.
Wandered
around looking for ‘Red’ Kelly’s grave. Found lots of other Kellys as well.
Gnarly
old tree.
This
is the Court House where John ‘Red’ Kelly was charged with cattle stealing. He
was later acquitted but fined 25 pounds for the illegal possession of a hide.
The
wattles are in full bloom.
Headed
back to the creek along another road and found an info board about the school
Ned attended. The sign is on the edge of the road above the flood area so not
sure exactly where the school was.
Found
where we should have walked to follow the Ned Kelly trail – shame they don’t
walk it and see there are lots of tracks leading off in different directions so
more signage would be helpful. Got back to the van and had lunch as the rain
came tumbling down with lots of wind. Luckily the squalls pass over quickly.
Headed
back to the Hume Freeway and off to Euroa. Found a place to park then wandered
down to check out the Fish Ladder on Sevens Creek. Flood gates keep the water
level up in the park area.
On
the other side the water flows down the creek. Fish can enter the fish ladder
through a narrow opening then work their way up the channels. There are
dividers in it to slow the flow and give the fish places to rest before heading
out into the main water area.
Wandered
down the lush park area to the back of the RSL where an impressive bit of
machinery was on show.
Euroa
was the home of three Victoria Cross recipients and new sculptures and
information boards have just been erected. Lieutenant Leslie Cecil Maygar won
his VC rescuing a comrade under heavy fire during the Boer War in 1901 and was
later killed in action during WW1. Lieutenant Frederick Harold Tubb and
Corporal Alexander Stewart Burton won their VCs in the Lone Pine tranches at
Gallipoli in August 1915. Burton died in the attack and was awarded his medal
posthumously. Tubb, by then a major, died two years later in France on the
Western Front.
The
wind was whipping around us as we headed into town. Found an info board about
the Flour Mill.
Steve
thought the brick maker in town had a good business going making all the bricks
for the gutters.
St
Andrews Church built 1889.
Gardiner
building built 1901 houses the Euroa Gazette which started in 1897.
The
impressive building was the third National Bank – they must have made a huge
profit as Ned Kelly’s gang robbed the previous bank which was across the road.
It is now a residence – now that would be fun to decorate!!
The
second National Bank used to be here. The existing building is made of the
original bricks.
On
the wall were a sculpture and then some more information. Before robbing this
bank the gang had robbed Faithfull’s Creek Station the day before. Ned and his
gang took 37 hostages from the bank back to the Station (one being the bank
manager’s wife who changed into her best Sunday frock to go with Ned). Ned and
the Gang entertained them with horse tricks and banter through the night,
releasing them unharmed at day break.
Euroa Hotel.
Shame
the RSL left this magnificent building as the new one near the park is very
boring.
The
Colonial Bank has been used by a variety of banks over the years.
Around
the block we look on the back of the Euroa Hotel – massive.
The
Salvation Army Barracks.
Interesting
letterbox.
Ned
Kelly scarecrow.
Some
lovely old homes.
Euroa
Post Office is an impressive building.
Steve
saw the water level at the bottom of the Post Office building which would mean
the all the roads would have been covered in water.
Stopped
at the Information Centre and got some more brochures. Asked about taking the
van up to Strathbogie – all good they said. The chap marked the map with the
roads. He commented that the temperature here today only reached 13 so up there
it might only get to 10 but will feel about 6 – oh joy!!
Steve
liked the old shop with its lopsided awning.
Blairgowrie
built in 1890.
An
old shop in Binney Street.
We
thought this was a fancy home. It belongs to St Johns Church.
Beautiful
flowers.
Peered
in through the fence at the Museum as it isn’t open today. Lots of machinery in
the sheds.
The
Museum is in the old Farmers’ ArmsHotel.
In
the Museum grounds is the Longwood National Bank complete with outhouse.
This
cottage belonged to Eliza Forlonge who was the pioneer of the wool industry
here in the 1850s. We saw a monument to her in Campbelltown, Tasmania. She had
a remarkable ability to select sheep and she developed the local wool industry
from their family property, Seven Creeks Estate.
The
Seven Creeks Hotel commenced as a store in a tent in 1853. John DeBoos then
built a single storey brick hotel in 1860s. The second storey was added in
1910.
Decided
to head up the Strathbogie Ranges to check out Mt Wombat and Polly McQuinns
Weir. A shower of rain had passed over creating a lovely rainbow.
We
were looking for the Mt Wombat Lookout as we climbed up the hills. Euroa is
200m elevation and we rose to 610m before heading into Strathbogie at 480m.
Nice and green up here.
Didn’t
see a lookout sign but did see Mt Wombat road but it looked narrow so won’t try
and take the van up there (610m elevation). At Strathbogie was ram statue in recognition of the
production by local farmers of high quality fine Merino wool.
Along
a narrow road and across the bridge beside the Polly McQuinn’s weir to a rocky
parking area (500m elevation). The story goes that Polly drove his horse and cart into the water
hole and drowned and his ghost can still be seen. There is a rumour that the
waterhole is bottomless which is why no trace of him or his horse was ever
found!!
Weird
feeling standing on the rocks peering over the weir wall thinking about all the
water that was on the other side!!
Our
site for the night – sign said no camping with a picture of a tent – we don’t have
one of those!!
5.30pm
and the heater is on as it is getting colder by the minute. Taking a long time
to warm up the van so it must be cold outside.
Rang
Kaylene to see how she went with her surgery today then rang Mum and Dad for a
chat.
At
7pm I checked the temp and it was only 4 degrees outside.
Malcolm
rang – will meet up with them on Friday at Winton.
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