The Adventures of Steve and Allie: Traveling Days

Sorry for the delay, getting reliable internet still is a challenge in Australia.

We’ve gone from Melbourne to Daylesford to Echuca/Tongala to Mansfield to Seymour to Beechworth.

We spent a night in Daylesford, a very nice spa town northwest of Melbourne famous for second homes of the city’s residents trying to escape the heat and one of our favorites as it isn’t too chic (much like New London NH as compared to Woodstock VT). We spent some time at the weekly flea market where we saw some beautiful pie cabinets but when asked if he ships, the local craftsman simply said “You buy it and take it with you.” Oh well.

Then off to Echuca, home of the Murray River Steamboats (which weren’t running as the river level is so low due to the drought) and a nice and cold air-conditioned motel room as the outside temperature was 40C or 104F. The next day was spent with an old friend of Allie’s who she worked with 25 years ago. They had much catching up to do (and they did), but the sunset was pretty.

Then down many a puzzling road, the most direct route according to our Garmin GPS, Sheila, to Mansfield, one of the most beautiful places at the feet of the Victorian Alps. Easily a place we could settle. I lucked out in accommodation as we had a swank B&B to ourselves for a night. We drove the countryside, went up the local ski area, Mt. Buller, and walked our feet off having a ball.

Then to Seymour, not much to see except for the Seymour Alternative Farming Exposition, although what is alternative I have yet to figure. We went there four years ago and had such a wonderful time, we decided to do it again. A bit warm at 35C/95F but we walked away with more knowledge, and even more regrets we don’t live here in Australia. A quick (2 1/2) drive up to Beechworth and here we are for the night.

Beechworth is Victoria’s quintessential high plains/near alpine town frozen in time. Quaint, charming, chock full of history and period homes, tourist mecca, and full of local boutiques, Beechworth is well worth the stop.

Tomorrow we’re off to the North. We’ve three days to get to our friends in Suffolk Park, New South Wales (next to Byron Bay) and I’m not yet sure which route we’ll take. Probably to Cowra then Armidale then Suffolk Park, but who knows.