Helens allsorts

So it's our final full day 😒, so we needed to make the most of it.  So first stop Australian Open, once in a lifetime opportunity. when we booked the holiday it didn't even occur to us that the open would be on.    We got our tickets and enjoyed a doubles match before going off to get something to eat.    We could have stayed all day, but needed to make the most of thr day so left and next stop was a river cruise where we learnt alot about Melbourne and how it grew.  Then off to do some souvenir shopping.  Then off to the Southgate ( similar to  Southbank in London)  for a cocktail ( it's our last night so it would be rude not too).   We also had our final dinner, boo hiss  We took a leisurely stroll back to the hotel,  although we weren't sure if we should pay this place a visit!!! Back at t...

Today was the final driving day.  We set off for Melbourne taking a stop on the way to see one of Lyns old friend and neighbour in Mount Elisa.  Joy took us to her beach club where we spent a couple of hours paddling in the sea and having lunch.  Then back into the car to the final stop og Melbourne.  We dropped the car, haven driven nearly 2000km  and checked into the Savoy hotel.    It's a lovely hotel and a great place to spend the last two nights of our trip.  This evening after much map studying we were able to get on the right tram to travel out to meet with an old work colleague and friend, Janelle.   Who together with James hosted us in their lovely home.  We spent a lovely evening with them and their friends, who made us feel really welcome.  Tomorrow is the last full day of this trip so we are going to try and pack in as much as we possibly can. 

Today is the last day before we get to Melbourne.  We set off after an early  breakfast and was in Cowes by 11.00.   We took a walk down the main street and booked a boat trip for the afternoon.   So got ourselves a subway for lunch !!  The boat trip started near the bridge from the mainland went out to look at some hidden caves and back again.  Once we had our land legs back on it was off to Smiths beach to lie on the sand reading our kindles. Back to where we are staying we had a quick cocktail and then decided to eat in the restaurant rather than go out, and it was very nice.  Next stop is Melbourne where we will he catching up with a couple of friends. 

Today after breakfast in the apartment joined by Joey and after nearly colliding with one of his mates on the road out of the resort, we set off on the four and a half hour drive to the next  destination of Walhalla. Walhalla is an interesting place, gold was discovered here in 1862   At its peak Walhalla was home to over 3500 residents. in 1914 as the gold yields dried up it was abandoned.  Today there are 20 living  residents, with the properties that remained restored to how they would have been during the gold rush.    We had a walk up and down the one street reading all about the history,  we even braved one of the old tracks that was quite over grown.  Scared faces in case there were  any snakes.  We are staying at the star Hotel after dinner we went on a ghost walk in the pitch black and back along some of the tracks that we had been so scared of.   We also learnt alot...

We left Merimbula and headed South to Gypsy  point and Mallacoota. We  spent the day visiting view points and the temperature was only 21 so some of the skies were more angry.    At the quay the Pelicans were waiting for hand outs from the fishermen, they were massive.  We eventually checked in to our lodge for the night and there are amazing views from the verandah. We also had some visitors in the garden a family of Kangaroos, super exciting.  Together with other wildlife, Galahs, King Parrots and Lorikeets   We went to have dinner at what from the outside looked like a run down boat shed (Gipsy Point Lodge)  and in fact we had one of the best meals of the trip.  I forgot to take pictures of all the courses but here is dessert.  The view was also amazing  The very friendly staff were telling us t...

We had a whole day in Merimbula, so we had a look round the town and then off to the beach to catch some more rays.    Again blue sky, white sand and surfers.  Lovely view from the cliffs  Had a lovely fine dining meal in the evening it was lovely meal.  Setting off tomorrow for Gipsy Point.