On to Broken Hill

 An intriguing feature of our trip north was the number of these signs along the way.

Given that the last steam train ran in Victoria over 50 years ago, the scenario seems highly unlikely.  Perhaps it is time for some updated signs.  Ouyen was proud of the fact they had destroyed this magnificent old Mallee Gum that must have survived many hundreds of years in the harsh desert environment before it was killed.

Heading north we crossed the Murray and the Darling Rivers that were both near flood levels. Further north we crossed the Great Darling Anabranch (a stream off the main river that re-enters further downstream).  This clearly was running at unprecedented heights.

Then into Broken Hill with its old shacks and miners’ houses and early 20th century architecture.

Heading North.

On our leisurely run up to Broken Hill, an early stop was the fantastic Wycheproof Bakery.  Queues out the door suggested it was held in high regard.  The best pies I have tasted for years.

Then on to Ouyen for the night.  Like many country towns Ouyen is in the process of reinventing and updating itself.  It has a number of old buildings and some are being revived and reused such as the old Court House.

The main street displays a mural depicting the early farm practices of the area.  Claire remembered some of the machinery on the farm from her childhood.

The local Victoria Hotel is an absolute gem inside and out.

Firepit Barbeque

 Despite the fact that it is now late September, the day was the first good day we had seen in months. Adam and Kate took the opportunity for a casual evening barbeque.  It was great to be able to sit outside for a meal for  the first time after winter.  (Unfortunately the photography took second place to the ambience and the meal!)

Lunch in the Burbs

 Time is moving on.  We originally met up with our friends on a European tour 24 years ago and have had meals together on a regular basis ever  since.  Earlier this year we lost Doug to cancer and Pam is now suffering from the debilitating effects of  Meniere's Disease that causes difficulty with balance.  So lunch was at a local Hotel.  Despite our various problems and ailments it was a great afternoon.

Birthday Lunch

Yesterday, it was wonderful to have a birthday lunch with the whole family. Appreciation of the occasion was greatly heightened after two years of living in a Covid isolated cave.  It was the best present one could wish for.

Lisa and Mark cooked up a fantastic long lunch for a relaxed afternoon.

Birthday In The Bush

 After two successive birthdays under Covid and isolation it was a real treat to be able to head out for a birthday wander and lunch.  We headed for the Maroondah Reservoir that was over capacity after all the rain.  The surrounding reserve could do with a good cleanup and a bit of TLC however we walked up to the dam wall and across to the spillway that was flowing freely.

The overflow passes along a rock gully then down a waterfall into the valley below.

With a bit of attention the reserve below the dam could be quite spectacular.

Then a long lunch in Healesville sorted us out for the rest of the day.  The "Toastie" we ordered turned out to be a meal and a half so dinner that evening was abandoned!

Our Final APPS Production

Lachlan was one of the main characters in the 2022 APPS production "Star Warts".  We had seen the production each year since 2008 when James was in Prep and Lachy is our last grandchild in Primary School.  The form of the production has evolved from individual class performances toward an overall story but all the students are still on stage during the evening.  A great night and spectacular finale.

Mark's Birthday Dinner

 There have been a number of attempts to have Mark's Birthday Dinner (now over 2 months ago) but, as they say, better late than never!  We got to have a late celebration last night at a local Italian restaurant.  We really didn't need breakfast the next morning.

Jack's Season Ender

 Jack and his team of mates were up against a team of similar strength. They had met before with an even spread of wins and losses.  Unfortunately on this occasion it was a loss and the end of the current season.  As a number of his mates had not played before this season they did an amazing job.

The Final Showdown

 And it came to pass that the unlikely winners from last week (Old East Malvern) were up against Melbourne High Old Boys for the Hockey Grand Final.  It was no walkover but OEM went down to MHSOB 5 to 3.  Mark did score one of the goals following these photos.

So on this occasion they came away with the Runners Up Medal.  Maybe next season.

The Support Team came away almost unscathed from the experience.

Cooper's Concert

Last night, we attended the Concert put on by Cooper's School Music Program.  It had a "spooky" theme so there were plenty of weird costumes and a few vampires attending.

As Cooper had his brains exposed, it was fortuitous that he was sitting next to a doctor.

It was a great concert and big effort to stage with the huge number of students involved.