Wednesday 26 August
A more leisurely rising
today with breakfast at 7:30. I was able to gather together few tiny
loads of washing from various people and do a load in the washing
machine and drier. This did mean our unit was a chinese laundry for
the day drying out the last bits but at least we'll all leave with
clean clothes.
We then had a free
morning so Barbara, Dianne and I strolled through town visiting the
patchwork shop (Ferry's), camera shop (Shutterbug) and the Geologicaland Mining Museum and admiring all sorts of things along the way. We
had morning tea at the Astra cafe, a beautifully restored old hotel
building, and lunch at Subway.
After lunch we boarded our bus for a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service base where we had a talk and a tour of the maintenance hangar.
Then off to the DesertFlora and Fauna Sanctuary to stroll amongst the flora and see a few
wallabies. The views across the countryside were fabulous and being
away from crowds meant I could listen to the silent sound of the
distance. There were bird calls I did not know too.
Another short drive to
the desert statues and to watch the sunset over the magnificent
landscape. As we arrived I heard a voice call out “Betty” and
turned to see Kathy Cartwright from St Cuthberts getting out of a
car. We had a catch up chat and watched a great sunset together
before I was summoned back on the bus and heading for town.
Dinner was again
delicious and small enough to enjoy. After a bit of diary, photo and
email updates we went up to Dianne's unit for a quick chat then came
down again to fall into bed.
Thursday 27 August
Today we said our
goodbyes to Dianne after breakfast for her to go to her train and for
us to travel south on the Silver City Highway. Morning tea was at a
roadside stop where the road crosses the Great Darling Anabranch.
Only one toilet again so I resorted to disappearing into the bush as
the queue was so long and slow. The creek bed was dry and cracked so
I guess they'd like a bit more rain out that way. The most common
wildlife we've seen today has been feral goats with an occasional
pair of emus and one or two kangaroos.
We called in briefly to
the park at Wentworth to see the confluence of the Darling and theMurray Rivers then on to get lost in Mildura and eventually finding
Woodsies Gem Cave for lunch well after 2pm. They have a huge
collection of jewellery and raw gems and rocks. I was able to buy
some blank clip on earrings so I can wear some of the other earrings
I have at home.
We checked in at the Mildura Grand Hotel at about 4pm which gave us time to sit and think,
something we've not had a lot of this trip. I rang Maree and we've
arranged for her to join us for breakfast at the hotel tomorrow
morning as it is the only time we can actually get together.
Dinner was delightful
but Barbara and I were pleased to escape to our room and just wind
down. As I shut down my computer at about 9pm Windows decided to do
64 updates which meant it stayed on for hours. At 1:00am I woke to
find it was still going but up to number 54. It was off this morning
when I woke but I think my little computer worked hard most of the
night.
Friday 28 August
Maree joined us for
breakfast at the hotel today. She came bearing a box of fresh seconds
mandarins from the packing shed. It was great to see her and have
time for a catch up even though it was short. As she had to work we
only had time for a short walk together to the Mall then we said our
goodbyes.
Off on the bus to visit
the Anglican church at Red Cliffs where Dale and Rachel Barclay who is sponsored by
BCA, gave us a talk about his work there.
Dale then came with us
to a nearby viewing spot on the river.
Back to Mildura for
morning tea which ended up being a buy-your-own at 12:30pm. We were
dropped in Mildura to sample one of the many cafes of our own
choosing, far too late for my constitution.
On them to the wharf
where we boarded the Paddle Steamer Mundoo for a sandwich lunch
before heading on our afternoon cruise up river.
It was a most relaxing
time on a very peaceful river. There were lots of birds to watch –
pelicans, swallows, darters, cormorants, whistling kites and more.
The wind was quite cold
so Barbara and I retreated inside for the return journey.
Once back on land I
wandered down to the new water play park. This looked quite fun and
would be especially enjoyable in summer, though some kids were even
enjoying it now.
Before dinner I was
able to complete a two day update on the blog. Again dinner wasvery
enjoyable but it was good to return to our room and sort ourselves
ready to move on tomorrow.
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