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| Riding the old tram, adventure playground |
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| Ian's bluestone, spooky cellar, Wendouree Lake, slumber |
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| Sovereign Hill |
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| Sovereign Hill |
We searched for an open cafe to have lunch and ended up in a quirky, gift store/cafe in the front of an old homestead. Rather tense experience, the Mother daughter team running the show were kind of like an ab-fab style act, friendly but over the top. There was a pet cat there, that Lil sat beside & she ended up coughing and sneezing for the entire hour we were there. Incredibly slow food delivery, I think they were actually baking the pies from scratch in their household kitchen. I know whinge, whinge..."it was eclectic" says Stell "& that's what you were after" :) Yep true, the decision was mine.
Next up Wendouree lake, very pretty and quite choppy for a lake. We found a great wooden adventure playground for the kids to enjoy, and also discovered that's where everyone in Ballarat was hiding. An old style tram was running a short trip around the lake, we all went on board. I was reminded of my school days and catching the old rattler trams to school down Dandenong Road. Also the St K train line, Jo & I used to ride the red rattlers with open doors and windows into the city. The kids really enjoyed the short tram ride & the driver was friendly and very knowledgable about the area.
Home to snuggle down, safe in our heated house from the icy Ballarat night. We watched a movie via the laptop, Sages choice, Wallace & Gromit. Then off to sleep.
Saturday we spent exploring Sovereign Hill, panning for gold, marvelling at the miners homes & working conditions. Stell & the kids delved into the mines, whilst I chickened out and explored the main street. Lil & Sage were thrilled & curious about the mines and golden nuggets. We bought some delicious raspberry drops from the lolly shop & lunch form the bakery. It was lots of fun & inspired Stell & I to research mining in Australia. Stell may have caught a little gold fever after finding 2 specks of gold while panning, small shavings are placed in the stream daily.
Gold prospecting perhaps...could be more lucrative than Rubik's cubing ;)
2 comments:
Oh that was a wonderful read i was there with you....especially in the house!! Unca Ian is a classic can you imagine when the family lived there it was such an amazing family home.
Around the Lake that is where Roger and I got married at the little Church (now closed) opposite the Lake. Margaret and I have many marvelous memories of all the family picnics we had there as children and loved hiding in the fern maze which you probably didn't have time to visit.
Ahh the memories xxoo
I didn't know you were married there. Such a stunning area, an we were lucky enough to be there in the prettiness of Autumn xo
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