Thurs, 30th Oct, 2014 Notleys Campground, Bendigo to (Sharon) Melbourne, (Stephen) Maryborough

Another beautiful day – cool 12 degrees. I managed to jam everything – 3 sets of shoes, fascinator, dresses, pants, coats etc into overnight bag and a backpack. We had a trolley thing so tied them to that and I was all good. Finished packing up, said goodbye to Barry and Gayle. Finished packing up, said goodbye to Barry and Gayle. Managed to pack everything into an overnight bag and a backpack. Drove into Bendigo Train Station and said bye to Steve. Hope he finds some gold!!

Onto the train at 9.34am, comfortable seats with big windows to watch the world go by. Chatted with a lady across the isle then to the two gentlemen opposite me. Passed the time well.

Heading into Southern Cross Station I saw the big rolls of steel on the rail wagons that we had seen back in NSW.  There is a huge ferris wheel. Got off and found the Metro train to Flinders Street Station. A family was near me talking about what train to take then all of a sudden I heard the boy was screaming. His dad was on the ground having an epileptic fit – the poor wife had him and some older ladies grabbed the boy cuddling him. Security arrived and helped out – poor things.

Short train ride to heritage Flinders Street Station – lovely old buildings. I came out the exit on one side of the Yarra River. The pedestrian bridge was just in front – all the wire rails were covered in Love Locks. Lots to take photos of when I get sorted and dump off my bags. Across the bridge and onto Southbank Promenade then up a short street to the Southbank Travelodge. Unfortunately when Sandra put the room in my name they didn’t change it to Sharon so they rang Sandra – luckily they were on their way to the airport in Cairns and she could confirm who I was. Our rooms are on the top (11^th) floor – nice room not a great view though.

I enjoyed standing in the shower!!! Then went for a walk to find some lunch. Wandered around the block then down onto the Promenade. Lots to look at – people too!! All the bars/bistros were all full. Found one that has happy hour cocktails!!! Found a nice café nearby and enjoyed a toasted wrap and coffee. Bought some coffee and milk from the 7 Eleven as the coffee in the room is yuk!

Back to the hotel to wait for the girls to arrive about 6pm. 50 or so Germans arrived on a bus. Then the girls were there – so great to see them all. Got rooms organised, dropped off their bags – finished off the champagne they had from the limo they came in – I missed it arriving!! View from Sandra and Sandie's room - Great bee.

Bev and Kathy’s room is on the otherside and they have a great view.

Looking towards the Yarra and Flinders Street Station from the corner of our building as we head down the elevator.

A passer-by took this great shot of us “girls”.

Down to the Promenade to look for somewhere for dinner. Onto the bridge to watch the rowers.

Great looking bar under the pedestrian bridge.

They have great maps – 3D with the high buildings shown. Will have to check out Skydeck in the tower beside us.

Lots of weird art work – or should I say fashionable!!

Wendy found her “heaven” café.

Tree lined – lovely area.

What great aim birds here have – they managed to poop on Wendy’s toe!!

Lots of buskers.

More art.

This looks like a fun ride.

Headed into the Crown Casino. Great waterfall near the stairs. Lots of restaurants in here.

Found an Italian place having dinner special including a glass of wine for $20.

Steve rang – all good at Paddy’s Campground near Maryborough. He is with Bruce and Gayle again for the night as they are heading north tomorrow. No gold yet though!!

Lovely decorations – the ceiling was covered with little hanging silver clovers.

Beautiful lights everywhere.

Good maps as we were getting lost. Crossing over the street to another section.

One of the many Casino entrances.

Great lights overhead of the main foyer with the waterfall near the stairs.

 Music played and the water danced to it - that's a leaping water spout. Took a video.

Out into the cold through the revolving doors. Lovely lit trees along Southbank Promenade.

Wed, 29th Oct, 2014 Notleys Campground, Greater Bendigo NP

They predicted 6 degrees and that is what it was at 6am. We were cosy in bed with 12 degrees. Steve headed off to the spot Bruce & Gayle went yesterday with their friend who takes gold prospecting tours – they didn’t find anything but he found 11 minute pieces with a different detector to theirs. So the challenge was out!!! I packed my bags and started packing up the van as Steve will drop me at the Bendigo train station then head onto Maryborough (they have one in Victoria) or somewhere else that purports to have gold!!

Steve didn’t find any more gold. Bruce and Gayle left – they have been great to spend time with and Steve will probably see them at the campground in Maryborough tomorrow. The English couple came back – they had a phone interview with a chap who wants a lady to look after 4 of his children and a chap to help with the farm. They meet him tomorrow to check it out – about an hour north of here at Gypsum. We showed them our gold as Richard thought he would be able to find gold on the ground.

A rescue helicopter flew low over us – hope it isn’t for anything too bad. Came back about an hour later.

Gathered around the fire one last time with Barry and Gayle and the English couple. Lots of laughs. We were talking about the stars and I pointed up to say you can see the satellites and one was crossing overhead, which was great. Another clear lovely sky. Going to be cold tonight.

No photos today.

Tues, 28th Oct, 2014 Notleys Campground, Greater Bendigo NP

Cold morning, 13 degrees, just when we were enjoying a bit of warmth!!! The wind is back bringing more clouds. Kim and Brenda headed off to Ballarat – I will see them at the Melbourne Cup as they have seats in the same grandstand as us.

We drove up to Shadbolts Picnic Area – the tent is still spread out in the middle of the grass – strange. Looks like a good one too. There is good reception here so I updated the blog, checked the bank and emails. Haven’t heard anything from the guy about volunteering at Phillip Island V8s so rang and booked a campsite for the 3 days. Will enjoy being able to be free. I went for a walk up Flagstaff Hill – or should I say mound – but it did have a viewing area there with an information dial showing the towns and other hills – I couldn’t see any!!!

Lots of diggings and mullock heaps around here.

Check out the size of these mother-in-law tongues. They are as tall as me.

More flowers are out on the Eucalypt and Whipstick bushes.

No gold again for Steve – poor bugger – he has resorted to praying!!!

Back to the van for lunch – yummy pumpkin soup and toasted sandwiches to warm us up as the wind is still very cold. So glad I have my new coat from Bathurst. Hope the girls are packing a few changes of clothes as the season changes so quickly down here.

Worked out our travel plans Melbourne Cup. Stay with Joc & John etc then Phillip Island. We will then head down to Wilson’s Promontory National Park to stand on the bottom of Australia. Will have to dig out the top of Australia photo. The boys did a topless at the top – I chickened out – but I think it will be too cold for a bottoms at the bottom!!!

Headed off with Steve to where he had found his two little pieces of gold the other day. Found a big Croc Dundee knife on the path. There must have been a party there as there is now 3 lounge chairs and remains of a fire etc.

I headed off following the drains.

Steve found out these were built back in the gold rush days to get water to the diggers for their sluices etc and they have been maintained all these years and the concrete ones put in where it has been eroded. They are now used to fill up local dams etc for stock. Came out on the road back to our camp so dropped off the knife then headed back out the main road. After I while I followed the mountain/trail bike track back towards Steve (had noticed it crossed that area).

Couldn’t find Steve so headed back following the old roads.

Again no joy for Steve.

Two couples from overseas have arrived and another motorhome so I let them know they are welcome at the fire. One couple from England came for a little while and we helped them with where to stay etc as they were trying to find work. Another clear night after the wind had blown all the clouds away and we were all a lot closer to the fire as the temperature drops. Not sure if I have mentioned before but we have a guy in an stretched 4WD with big spotlights and lights down the side of his car that drives in about 9pm – we can see him coming with the spot lights, does a slow circuit around the camp and goes again. We have waved before and he doesn’t stop for a chat or anything. Tonight we were all standing around the fire looking at him drive in so he only did the short circuit – bit creepy. He comes by every couple of days – he could just be checking out that everyone is behaving or something but why not say hi!!!