Week 29 13 - 19 October

Sunday 13

Church in Cowra this morning. Older church but with a lovely welcome. We had a look around Cowra. Rang the peace bell and watched the Breakout story at the Tourism information and then went for a look at the POW camp or at least where it was. Could come back and spend some more time to do the Japanese gardens and walk the prison camp. After lunch we we headed to Grenfell Silo and then to Weethalle Silo with a brief stop for a cuppa at West Wyalong. Tonight's stop is Narrandera. Grenfell is a bigger place than expected. We visited the birthplace of Henry Lawson here too. Reminded me of Gulgong's old streets only Grenfell is wider. 

Monday 14

Setout from Narrandera to Jerilderie for morning tea. Wandered around town for a while reading all the info about Ned Kelly holding up the town. From there we visited the Silos at Picola. Next linch at Echuca and a wander through the museum. Learned a bit about steam power and river boating. Short drive to Rochester to finish the day. Watched the last episode in season 1 of Return to Paradise and visited the Silos here and had a drive around town which seems mostly recovered from the floods they had endured just before our first visit in 2022.

Tuesday 15

First stop today was the Silos at Colbinabbin one of my favourites. We then headed for Avoca which of and Owl and needs a night visit because apparently the paint is light sensitive. We stopped at Dunolly at another great busy bakery for morning tea and made it to Clunes for lunch. We did some family history stuff visited Rev John's grave and had a look at his church which is now part of a camp site for Wesley College. The museum is shut on Tuesday so might come back to it tomorrow. The accomdation tonight is a complete little house looking out over Clunes. Very nice.

Wednesday 16

Started the day with a visit to the Clunes Museum then we headed to visit Sovereign Hill in Ballarat. This was worth it and probably sometime I would do again. Like to spend sometime watching the Wheelwright. They build complete coaches in there complex. Finished the day with a drive on to Port Campbell to start our Great Ocean Road visit. Stayed tonight at Daysy Cottages. Good spot. 

Thursday 17

Short day today. Left Port Cambell which had major roadworks up the main Strait and went west along the great Ocean Road to London Bridge before coming back to head east. Stopped at a couple of lookouts but aware that it was a long distance for Peg to walk we decided to head to the 12 Apostles and do the helicopter flight. Peg got the best seat up front and on the left. It was a flight worth doing. From here we stopped for a cuppa at Laver's Hill and visited the lighthouse at Cape Otway. Tonight we stayed at Sandpiper Motel Apollo Bay and had dinner at a Chinese Restaurant  The Dragon Bay Inn. Very nice. 

Friday 18

Today we completed the Great Ocean Road on a wet and cool day. We went into Geelong where I donated blood while Robyn and Peg had lunch. More then enough and enough for me to have for tea. We had booked on the 5pm ferry to Sorrento but were there for the 4pm one and they let us on. Got to our accommodation with time to catch up on Moto GP qualifying. 

Saturday 19

Got up early and Robyn took me to catch the Westernport Ferry to Cowes on Phillip Is. Lots of other MotoGP attendees were doing the same so I just followed the crowd. Had to pay for the bus to tge track thus year $18 return. It was good to be there. Saturday sprint race makes fir a bigger crowd. Watched from Siberia the day was overcast and cold and the ground was muddy. But a good day. In the rush to get on the fairy I took the car keys with me and I had to give them to the ferry operator. Robyn had to wait fir him to return to collect them and get back to the motel. Robyn and her mum had a quiet day found a laundrymat and did the washing. Legs were tired by the end of the day as I had left my chair at home. Will but one tomorrow. Jack fell of in sprint. He had a tough will life day hit a rabbit and a seagull.