Port Sephens and Rick Stein

We have had two days exploring the Port Stephens area.  It is many, many years since we have been here.  Seeing Linus and Robyn at the caravan at Anna Bay was probably the last time we were here - in the 1980s.

It is peak holiday season and it is a family holiday place. The area is not densely populated and it has a lovely, relaxed feel about it.  

Yesterday, we saw how well-off boaties lived where the parking place you need is in a marina. 

This one is under contract.

 We looked at Soldiers Point this morning.

There were pelicans 

And this was certainly his rock - he had been there before, judging by the bird poop.

But the REAL reason we are here is to have lunch at Rick Stein's other restaurant.  

Our waitress was also Kay.  There are not many of us. These are our dishes.

An entree of scallops.

Our mains.  Kin Mun had a Patagonian toothfish.  I had no idea they were a thing - I thought it was a joke.  I had a trevally in a Pondicherry curry.

And dessert.  Cherry clafoutis and Croatian rozata (aka creme caramel)

After lunch we went for a  drive around the other bays and beaches that we had not seen.

And some more on Kempsey

 The iconic centre of Kempsey - the Post Office.

 

They had a museum - and it had a bell that you could ring.

And you could walk over the Macleay River Railway Bridge. 

  

 

Slim Dusty Centre, Kempsey

Kempsey is the home of the Slim Dusty Centre.  I had long been aware of this, and thought we could call in on one of our trips to or from Brisbane.  But heading for home, or Brisbane, makes it hard to take enough time off to relax and enjoy wandering through a museum. So our solution was to make a special trip to Kempsey, and spend two nights here.

I have a very soft spot for Slim Dusty and his music.  His songs were written about people and places and experiences that  are familiar to me.  He didn't write much about Longreach or Ilfracombe though, I must confess. 

The Centre.

 

As you walk up to the automatic doors, you hear the first two lines of  this!

There was lots about his life, prizes, golden guitars etc.

This was the car (Old Purple) and caravan they used to travel all over Australia.  What a guzzler!  But who could begrudge them comfort in their long trips. 

Coffee afterwards!

And lots of kangaroo paw in the garden, together with interesting mulch.  Macadamia nut shells!

 

 

 

Wagga - and home

Before leaving Wagga, we did go to have a look at the Gun Club.  The gates were closed, but we could see that it was an elaborate centre, and the home of the Australian Clay Target Association.  There was also a large function centre associated with it - The Range - but it wasn't visible from the gates.

It's all a good thing, until in this ABC report, Daryl (then member for Wagga Wagga) attempted to secretly gain a small commission from the clubhouse development.  Ooops.  Unfortunately he had charmed our Gladys, who kept it all very quiet, and so  now we have Dom.  Here

 

Then we set our sights for home, through Gundagai and Goulburn.

No floods, no rain, and warmer weather. Still sheep though.

And a wind farm.

Bendigo to Wagga

Tonight, we are in Wagga, in the electorate of that fellow whose charms caused Gladys to resign.  Must go and look at the Gun Club, where some of the funds were directed.

But on the way, we saw the impact of the floods.  Some side roads were closed, but the main roads were open.  In some parts, around Mooroopna and Shepparton, there was huge amounts of water by the road. You could even smell it.  Not as bad as day 4 of a 'roo carcass, but the smell of decaying matter.

Both sides of the road were the same.

In Shepparton, many businesses were closed.  The only coffee was at a servo.

We went through Benalla and collected some info for our next road trip, already forming in my mind!  Ned Kelly and Daylesford?

And as the song says - "Here we are in New South Wales".

 

 

Bendigo

Tonight we are in Bendigo.  We left Hamilton at lunchtime.  VicTraffic told us all the major roads were open. Driving along, you could see water by the road, like small dams.  It was overcast and  rained lightly and frequently.  All the way from Hamilton to Bendigo was like this.  You can see why the ground simply cannot absorb any more moisture.

Lunch stop at Ararat.  More McLellans.....

More sheep..

and lots of water by the road.

Bendigo is a large city. It has many grand buildings - it was in the heart of the gold rush after all.

This cathedral is imposing - on the hill.  But no bells.

We wondered as to the denomination - then we saw the ribbons.

Dinner was Japanese food

 

And a couple more....

 

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In Hamilton, they can spell your name! UPDATED

 I was really surprised at how Scottish Hamilton seems to be. I have already mentioned the names of other towns in the area.  Here are some others.

Look what they sell as souvenirs - pictures of Highland Cattle! And border collies!

Arglyle Shop.  Our McLellans were from Argyll.. 

 And I don't have a pic of the Argyle Arms Hotel.

And they even have McDonalds! Scottish, no doubt.

We went to the Hamilton History Center in the afternoon.  I asked this question - and they thought that it was by word of mouth among Scottish immigrants.  They thought the Hentys were responsible for encouraging people to settle in Victoria.

Their receipt was made out to Kay McLellan!  And no hesitation over the spelling.  There is no other way to spell McLellan in Hamilton!