Day Trip To Melbourne

We went to Melbourne on the train for the day because my Mum had to go down for a doctor's appointment. The kids were really excited about going for a ride on a tram. I think the crowds were a bit overwhelming for them at times. We visited the Fitzroy Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. We also went to Federation Square at the same time a street performer was starting his act. He was quite funny, and drawing a large crowd, so we decided to stay and watch. After a bit, Mum and I went to get us all a drink, leaving Darren and the kids watching the show. When we got back, Casey was up in front of the crowd, having been called upon by the performer to assist him. He had to pass the fire sticks (unlit) for the guy to juggle. He then proceeded to give Casey $10 for helping him, but he made him jump for it!

The Shrine was an amazing place. I had been teaching the boys about the Anzacs leading up to Anzac Day. It was quite an emotional experience - I can't imagine what it must be like to be there on Anzac Day itself. The view from the top of the Shrine was very impressive too.

We pack up and head off again on Tuesday. It's a bit strange - we've been here for two months now and have really settled in. We've made some great friends amongst the permanent residents here too, and will really miss them. They've been so great to the kids. It feels a bit like we're starting off all over again.

Day Trip To Echuca

Now that Darren's finished work at the cannery, we decided to take the time to see some local sights. We took a day trip to Echuca, about an hour west of here on the Murray River. It used to be a huge inland port with paddlesteamers bringing produce from all along the Murray and then putting it on the train at Echuca to take it to Melbourne. They still have lots of old paddlesteamers that you can go for cruises on, and an old main street that has barely changed for a hundred years. We didn't go on a cruise (didn't want to spend the money), but we watched the paddlesteamers take off

.

The kids' favourite part of the day was a visit to the candy store. They'd never seen anything like it! Tara couldn't believe her eyes when she saw a huge lollipop in the window. Lollipops are her absolute favourite. After much consideration, the kids picked a lollipop each to take home.

A Week of Bunnies and Elephants

We had a lovely Easter. The Easter Bunny managed to find us in the caravan, and he did quite well to hide little eggs all over the van. The kids found one at a time, put them on the table, and then shared them all out at the end. We had a late night the night before at a birthday party. Tara fell asleep in the car on the way home, so we just put her to bed in her clothes - hence the early morning egg search wearing a princess dress!

The other big happening of the week was a long-awaited trip to the Melbourne Zoo. Casey wanted to go there for his birthday treat. He decided that before we even left Queensland. Considering his birthday was in February, he had been very patient. The kids loved the drive into Melbourne - all the old buildings, terrace houses and trams. The crowds were huge at the zoo. Melbourne is in the midst of Mali fever - the new baby elephant. Unfortunately, being so young, he only comes out for two one-hour sessions each day, and the line-up to see him was ridiculously long. We decided not to waste half the day lining up, so we missed the baby elephant, but saw all the other animals. Casey's favourite was the red pandas, Brodie's favourite was the orang-utans (mine too), and when I asked Tara what her favourite animals were, she said "All of them. Except the spiders."

Darren's last night at the cannery tonight. We're staying for two more weeks so I can give Mum a hand. She has torn ligaments in her shoulder and has to wear a sling. We'll also be able to do some day trips and see some local sights.

NUMURKAH - The middle of nowhere?

Brodie seems to be the one with all the insightful questions. We were driving back to Numurkah from my Dad's farm (they grow oats for hay there, but live in town), and he asked, "Is this the middle of nowhere?" I told him that it probably depends where you come from. Compared to the Gold Coast, it does seem a bit like the middle of nowhere. But when I was growing up, this was the centre of the universe.

We went to the local primary school fete. Just over 200 kids go to school there, so it was pretty small compared to the school fetes my kids have been to. It didn't matter though. They had a great time. The first thing they did was go on the train. As you can see from the photo, they thought it would be a bit boring when they first got on. This is the country though! The driver took them way up the back of the school and around the sports ovals, and faster than I've ever seen a kids' train go!! They were bouncing along in the back carriage - I thought Tara might be freaking out, but when they got back their eyes were popping from excitement! The boys favourite thing at the fete was the sumo wrestling. No fancy sumo outfits here. They loved it so much, they did it twice.

The kids also had their first go at fishing with the new rods they got for Christmas. The boys caught a couple of sticks, but they had fun. They have collected a container full of snails from Gran's garden, and have fed the magpies and possums that are regular visitors to the van next door - Bronwyn is a permanent resident here. We had a bbq with Bronwyn, Steve and Jim - all permanent residents who have become good friends. We called it 'turkey night' because we got some turkey pieces from a local turkey farm to cook on the barbie. The kids had sparklers and thought it was all a lot of fun. Steve helps out around the gardens, and took the kids for a ride on the ride-on mower with the trailer on behind.

A couple who have been here for a few weeks bought a washing machine for their van and gave the kids the cardboard box it came in. They painted it and turned it into a cubby. Somehow they manage to all get in there!

Darren probably has one or two more weeks of work. We're feeling ready to move on and see some new sights, although it really has been fun living in Numurkah.