Check out day saw us breaking up a furious impromptu cricket game outside our cabin as Colin's bat and ball had attracted a gaggle of boys looking to play a little silly mid-on. In the midst of this tour, we were also glued to the tv watching the third test match between South Africa and Australia. The Aussie's were playing for pride having already lost the series but the cricket continues to hold the country's attention as well as the interest of a few of the Canadians in our cabin.
Today we would be travelling further north-east into Victoria toward a place called Bendigo. On the way we detoured through Daylesford and Hepburn Springs which are, as a result of some ancient mineral waters, the spa centres of the known Australian world. We weren't really in the market for a soothing dunk or hot rock facial so we just poked around a bit buying coffees and treats from one of many, many cafes. Where in Ontario, a town like Daylesford might look and feel like a Picton, a Listowel or a Lindsay the differences are many. Life seems to continue on in these Australian towns and the economy along with it. Where there might be dollar stores and for lease signs along mainstreet Ontario, Australian towns thrum with the cafe and gallery life and there is always a winery or B and B lurking around the next corner. I think one of the big differences here is that Australian farmers still and always have made a very good living. In fact, we understand that the best boarding schools in the country continue to be filled with the sons and daughters of wealthy farmers.
Back on the road toward Bendigo, the usual assortment of stunning views and kangaroo crossings dotted the way. Soon we were oohing and ahhing our way into Bendigo as its goldrush-funded architecture surprised and amazed. Lunch was a pleasant picnic in an old park near the town hall. After the ever so nourishing effects of Pringles and Tim Tams and not being in any huge rush, we decided to detour off the chosen road and spend an hour at the local waterslide. It was getting to be a very hot day and the kids were totally stoked (dude!) to get out of the car and into some fun. Lint and I watched with pleasure as the boys took each other by the hand and ran for the slide. Awesome to see Allie so adventurous and Colin so protective of his lil' bro.
Back onto the highway we headed to Shepparton - our intended destination for this day - and a place more than one of our Melbourne acquaintances had politely wondered, "Why do you want to go there?" I'm not sure we really knew either but Shepparton advertises a huge kids playground that got my attention a few months ago and so suddenly we were off for a one night stay at the Country Comfort Inn. We made the most of our time here with a fun but slightly gross swim at a huge aquatic complex called Aqua Moves. Dinner was mexican at a nice enough resto on the main drag and then wicked ice cream at a place called Cold Rock. Before heading out the following day we would have a good play at the playground I mentioned and a successful cruise through the aisles of Shepparton's other claim to fame - wholesale food.
I must also mention the sleep I didn't have that night. Mostly due to a wicked case of insomnia that Alex was suffering from and not the fajitas at dinner, I was up the middle part of the night tossing and turning in our due-to-be-demolished and mostly grungy hotel room. Apart from the constant whispers of my very awake son, the thing that kept me staring at the stucco the most was the number of fired up and loud hot rods that were cruising the strip mere metres from our room. "Hoon" is a term in Australia which describes a person, typically a young man, who has a car, drives it fast, and is generally thought to be a bit of a reckless endangerment to himself and anyone else who might choose to share the road. Hoons are regarded with distaste by the media and law enforcement officials but at the same time, I get the feeling that to be a hoon is actually something most young, red-blooded Australian males should aspire to. I'm not sure this is accurate on all accounts, but unless there was a hot rod convention in town on this night, Shepparton has its fair share of hoons and they are endangering the sleep of motel guests everywhere!
On our way back down to Melbourne we detoured again on the strength of a very nice invitation from Alex and Simon's sister-in-law Claire, to come for a swim at her mom's place near Nagambie. They have a lovely house on a man made weir (lake) and we cherished the chance to get out of the heat and have our first freshwater swim in six months. The ocean is incredible, but there is something as magical about freshwater - I couldn't get enough! We had a great visit meeting Claire's mom, brother and his friend who took us for rides in their new boat. Colin even courageously jumped at the chance to be towed on a knee board. It was all so friendly and relaxed that we once again felt lucky to be among such great people and content that we had turned our wheels inland, to Bendigo and beyond.
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