SATURDAY MAY 13     MARYBOROUGH

Again, a lovely day after a cold night.

After the usual morning routine for dog and me, I left her to slumber with John in Bus, and drove to the town centre, ostensibly for the Saturday papers. Parked where John had, yesterday, and walked to the main street. It was not far to the newsagent. As one would expect, the town was busy.

Now that I had time for myself, was the chance for some indulgence. At the quilting shop, I bought three pieces of Japanese style black/grey/glittery fabric. I am gradually building up a collection in these colour tones, that might one day be turned into a quilt.

In the wool shops, which had some superb yarns, I could not resist buying the wools and instruction booklet for the garment in the window, that had caught my eye so strongly yesterday. The proprietor explained the colours she’d used to knit the sample garment and I bought those same colours. The jumper had a textured stitch, the wools were variegated tones, the end effect was irregular stripes. Hard to describe, but looked beautiful. Hopefully, I might get it made for next winter! That indulgence cost me $138. Money into the local economy.

I visited the very good Information Centre and collected a number of pamphlets. There is much emphasis placed on the history, here, and some of the substantial old buildings date from the 1800’s. Maryborough began as a settlement in the gold rushes of the 1850’s. Gold was a local industry until the 1920’s and, of course, with modern metal detectors, the gold hunters have returned. I would keep the information gathered today for a future visit, hopefully not too long away.

I’d heard train whistles at intervals since we’d been here. It sounded like at the park we were not too far from a rail line. I noted that Maryborough has a grand old railway station, dating from the 1890’s – far more substantial and large than the place ever warranted, apparently. Next trip, we will go look.

Maryborough site

John had to get up in a hurry while I was away. The neighbour from the next van was leaving and very nicely wanted John to turn off and move our water hose, so it wasn’t split as he drove over same. So, he’d knocked on our Bus door – and Couey went beserk! Just as she does at home when there is a knock on the door. People can walk around Bus, with no reaction from her, but knocking on the door is a different matter altogether. So John had to get up and deal.

I had a late breakfast. Hadn’t eaten before going shopping, because I need to leave at least half an hour between medication taken first thing, and eating.

I took Couey for a ball game. I walked her on the lead around part of the lake, to a large grassed area beyond the caravan park. I judged it was far enough away from the water, so let her off the lead and threw the ball for her until she’d had enough, signalled by refusal to give it back to me. Purpose accomplished – one tired dog, however temporarily.

Lake Victoria

As we walked back – on lead again – there was a large black swan wandering about. Couey took one look and just about pulled my arm out of its socket – not in the direction of swan, though. Suddenly, she was very anxious to get back to the safety of Bus. Smart dog.

Walk track behind our site

Read the papers until lunchtime, sitting outside in lovely sunshine.

The large bus motorhome by the amenity block was an older, imported American one, showing its age. I could not see a driver’s door at all – it looked like the side entrance was the only way in. Judging from the tradesman’s ute parked at its front, it might be a long term fixture.

John was not in sightseeing mood, but after lunch suggested a walk right round the lake. In one area where there was some parkland, he let dog off lead for a bit of a free range. There were no people anywhere near us. For a little while she ranged quite happily, gradually and sneakily working her way back towards the lake, until eventually, she ignored John’s calls and happily went in for a dip. I knew that would happen!

Beautiful Central Victorian autumn day at Maryborough

After that walk, I sat outside with the drying dog and did some of my Hardanger embroidery, until it got too chilly to stay out there.

John played his WOW game on the laptop for most of the afternoon.

Tea was tinned mushroom soup, chicken and mushroom sausages, fries and egg. The latter two were John’s choices – woe betide that we should eat healthy vegetables!

The night was cold. There was a full-ish moon. It smelt very smoky outside, partly due to wood fires, I thought. Apparently, Melbourne’s air pollution this weekend had been worse than that of Shanghai! A good time to be away in the relatively unpolluted country air.

There was football on TV.