We left Daylesford, but on the way out of town, had to look up the memorials for the three lost children. A tragedy in 1867, when 3 children wandered off, became lost, and perished in the very cold conditions. The tragedy has certainly left its mark on the town.
Then we drove to Gundagai, through a landscape straight out of an Arthur Streeton painting.
This grand house was built to house the Commissioner for Gold. It eventually passed into the hands of the Presentation Sisters here it was used as a convent - and a school, I believe. It became run-down and eventually was bought by an artist who restored it and now it is an art gallery.
Outside view:
We went cross country yesterday (Tuesday) to get to Daylesford for three nights. We had tried to go to Melbourne via Daylesford back in 2022, but the floods then made us take a different route. So Daylesford was unfinished business.
We had dinner at the famed hotel restaurant last night. A combination of birthday and belated wedding anniversary stay.
Desserts: They were good.
Also a cormorant-type bird drying its wings.
And Daylesford is famous for its springs. You can visit the various springs and compare the taste. Couldn't really pick any difference though.
On the road today.
He didn't move - but it was alive.
We came to Hay to see the Shearers" Hall of Fame. We saw the building when we drove to Perth last year, but did not have time to look at it.
On the way to the shearing demonstration.
Very good explanations by the shearer, and I could see the changes even in my lifetime. Much wider blades are used now, and better safety.
We are staying in a converted red-rattler carriage on a farmstay, about 50kms south of Hay. There is a range of accommodation - restored caravans, campsites, etc but we chose the red rattler. It has a toilet!
Some pics:
The door.
Wider view.
Double bed, up the other end.
And the owners have walked the Camino!
On to Hay this morning.
On the way.... wonder how this town got its name.
Lunch in Hay - after finding a place to eat, we realised it was where we ate eighteen months ago!
And I was wearing the same T shirt.
Water Tower art in Hay. The faces are those of locals who died in the last war.
The Hay Goal Museum. One of those with so much historical stuff, and you find yourself recollecting most of it. The older I get, the more stuff I recognise!
The Comet Windmill, that used to be at Kilala. Smithfield got a mention.
On the road again! All familiar territory today. As we got past Goulburn, it was like driving through an Arthur Streeton painting - hills, golden grass, and sheep. Safely in our motel tonight, where we stayed on our way to WA last year. The wifi remembered us!
A Sutton Forrest, the Coolabah Tree Cafe was closed, so we were forced to eat at Heatherbrae Pies. It was a good option. Well organised, clean, tidy - and the pies were good. There was a bank of Tesla chargers, all being used, right outside. Sorry, slack on the pics today.
We had a look around the town centre this evening. Some random pics...
Remember Daryl? Who won the heart of Our Glad? This is his replacement - as MP I mean.
Services available - who wants a shave?
Italian restaurant - where we ate.
Iraqi food.
Today we went to a craft show. Not sure where it fits into the scheme of craft shows in Japan, but it was billed as a big one.
Lots of locals......
Food on sale was coffee and bento boxes. Was hungry and forgot photo. But the only thing I really recognised was the rice. However, I wasn't hungry afterwards.
We went to a Shibori Museum in Kyoto.
There were thirteen different very different results. Even those of us who had chosen the same design had very different results. When we were looking at the museum and the shop, they dried our efforts and wrapped them beautifully in cellophane. This is mine. You would almost pay money for it!
