Day 41

After Echuca was Bendigo with a brief stop-over in Huntly where the cows were strangely very interested in the boys...

 

 

In Bendigo we did a few touristy things here...Deborah Gold Mine tour and panning, Discovery Science Centre and generally looking around the area.

Can you spot the one that doesn't like heights? (snigger)

We went underground on a tour which was great and the fireies were doing their training down there as well and they gave us a demonstration of how they move through areas in complete darkness, find and extricate patients, and use their heat sensitive cameras.

 

 

We got to the Discovery Science Centre a little early - do you think the kids were eager?

 

 

They have a wall they drop you off (3 stories vertical drop) and then you come out on a slide without a scratch - they don't promise no wedgies though!

Ethan was releived to have survived.

 

On the Sunday the Bendigo Markets were being held at the showgrounds where we were staying.

 

We had a quick look around and got some vegies, but then we headed to Castlemaine for their Farmers Market which was brilliant. All of the local farmers, with whatever they produced, showcased them at the markets and had them for sale. We bough tapenade, olive oil and pesto...beautiful. We also couldn't resist having lunch in Castlemaines Botanic Gardens.

 

 

We then headed over to Maldon where they were holding their annual Folk Festival/Market, very interesting sights to see. Some people were dressed up in the folk clothing, singing and dancing. The place seemed to have a lot of people that were a cross between yuppies and hippies - we called them yippies. 

We also went down a local gold mine were, as our group was the last for the day, the boys were given the task of putting out the candles as we left an area - boy it was dark down there! We had a really lovely day.

 

 

 

Day 49

We decided to stay in Maldon after leaving Bendigo at a free camp. It was so quiet the first night, but the second night was very noisy as a group of downhill cyclists had shown up for a race meet the next day. We definitely left the next day!

The view over Maldon area

The Campsite

Our fireplace - a bit sad.

Lachlan said, "Lets make a bigger fireplace..."

Dad said,"YYEEEAAA, Lets do it!"

So it grew... But the ranger made us keep the fire small, aaawwww.

The kids ran around it however over, and over, and over....