We took Bluey with us to the Bendigo Corner Store Cafe, but it was too cold for us to sit outside, so he stayed in the Toyota. The coffee was OK, but the food has room for improvement.
We headed towards the railway station, but I had to stop to take photos of these unique houses. This first house has a most unusual fence, and is a very attractive and well-maintained house.
The building opposite might be occupied as a boarding house. It needs a lot of attention and would be worth restoring with its unusual keyhole shaped stained glass windows, a striking red roof, and original dormer windows. The fence is a clever design.
As we drove along View Street, we spotted this historic red brick fire station, in the Queen Anne revival style of architecture. It is now used as a drama theatre and known as the Engine Room.
Nextdoor is the former Masonic Hall, now a musical theatre known as the Capital. Unfortunately, nothing is on there during our visit as I would love to see the inside of this 1850s building which is National Trust listed.
We farewelled my sister at the station, then walked back towards the city centre to find a bank to organise some finances. I waited just inside the door with Bluey as he was shivering in the cold wind. Later, we were told I could have taken him inside the bank. He was made very welcome in the Macpac and Kathmandu stores, where we bought merino socks and a small travel bag.
Anita noticed a problem with one of our front tyres and thought it was a stone stuck in the tread, until she had a closer look.
We searched for the nearest tyre shop and realised we were parked at a large shopping centre. Amazingly, there is a Tyresplus shop in the next street only 200m from where we had parked. They provided an excellent service, repairing the tyre and doing a wheel alignment, for only $123. The owner said it would be free if I handed over the dog!
While the tyre was being repaired, we waited at the shopping centre where Rex Espresso has outdoor seating. Bluey was very being very friendly towards the couple at the next table, until I realised he was after their chips! I gave him some diluted coffee instead.
Anita did some essential grocery shopping – food for the critters – which she cooked and packaged up in small bags in the freezer. I kept out of her way doing outside jobs and entertaining the said critters. Bluey was frisky in the 50kph winds, so I put on his long lead, and told him to “Go round”, the command for him to run circles around me. Tilly also had a run across the large grassed area, but keeps climbing the trees. She doesn’t get too high because she is on her lead.
A couple of vintage cars drove into our caravan park. The owner of this 1963 Morris assured me he is a lot older than the car! He sometimes drives past broken down cars, where their owners think he is from the RACV or South Australian RAA!
Committed Travellers 