As we left Scamander we were heading for another big day, not so many kilometres but so much to see. This was another occasion for deciding which places we wanted to visit.
Morning tea seems to be an essential part of the day for most so we stopped at Fingal where there is a convict probation station c. 1842, and a convenient parking space for ten cars and one caravan.
From there only two cars chose to take the scenic route via Rossarden. The views were magic. This gave us another close look at the Ben Lomond range and the rock formations, all the time travelling through two forest reserves. We came back onto the highway at Avoca.
Campbelltown was the lunch stop for some of the group. After a quick picnic lunch we visited the famous Campbelltown convict built bridge then continued on to Longford. The Red Bridge was built in 1838.
Back in Longford we this time visited Brickendon, the sister property to Woolmers and owned by William Archer. This property is still owned by the Archer family.
The reception area is one of two Sussex Barns built in 1827. From inside you can see the magnificence of the structure, from outside you can appreciate their unique style.
Of special interest is the Pillar Granary which is the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Built to store grain, flour and other perishables, it was constructed on 'saddle stones' to keep vermin and water out yet allow air to circulate.
This property displays the skills and labour of assigned convicts who were key to the prosperity of properties such as Brickendon and Woolmers, and the colony of Van Diemen's Land.
The property was like a village in itself with a church, blacksmith, baker, dairy, smokehouse for preserving food, as well as the usual animal sheds, stables, shearing sheds, saw mill and labourers' housing.
A special feature of this area is the hawthorn hedging which formed secure fencing for animals around and within the property.
Brickendon House was built in 1828 with bricks made on the farm, and additional wings were added in the 1830's. It is not possible to enter the house as it is still the family home but visitors are free to wander the gardens
The gardens have many specialty plantings and one of the most unusual collections of trees in a private garden in Australia. This includes rare orchard varieties, scarlet & pin oaks, Atlantic and deodar cedars, Algerian oak and lindens.
We were ready for a relaxing drink by the time we reached Deloraine.
As we had been to Deloraine before, and stayed at the Tiers Cottages, it was a quiet day for us next day.
In the afternoon we went to Evandale, a very sweet little town. It has three statues representing three points of interest in the village.
Harry Murray V.C, war hero.
A penny farthing bike rider, a symbol of their annual festival
Another quirky point of interest was these two churches - one Anglican (1837) and one Presbyterian (Uniting) (1840), they are both dedicated to St. Andrew and both have their service at 5 pm.
There were nine presentations covering a great range of styles and all funny. I did a PowerPoint presentation on the history of lamingtons then announced the 'Next Big Thing" ... vanilla slamingtons.
And the winner was ...a penguin lamington.
Heather & Gary's clever entry was based on the traffic bollards in Penguin, the first village we visited. Heather told a tale of a scruffy penguin who died and asked for one last wish, to come back to Penguin as a bollard penguin.
They are the proud owners of a trophy bespoke made by Kevin.
Our last day was to be a gourmet finish, and it started that way but many of us soon ran out of oomph.
Breakfast at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm was delicious, if somewhat unconventional for breakfast.
On to Ashgrove Cheese Factory for tastings and purchases.
Somehow the Chocolate Museum for a long slow lunch lacked appeal so we headed to LaTrobe, on word that there was a great toy shop there. 'Reliquaire' is more that a toy shop and a place where you can spend hours!
It certainly has high end toys but there were a myriad of other things to appeal. I bought two large jig saws to amuse myself over the long winter at home this year.
We headed off to the Don River Railway and Museum after a light lunch in LaTrobe. Trains always appeal to me and the ride on the old train was very relaxing and quite picturesque.
Maybe my love of chocolate was returning! This old Nestle chocolate bar dispenser certainly caught my eye.
Soon it was time to get to Devonport for our return ferry trip. We had already received a message that departure would be late so we headed for the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse area and waited out the time.
Loading was smooth and without stress despite the late departure and once on board I headed straight to bed, no visiting the bar for me.
Once we arrived back in Melbourne in the early morning we all departed for home as our cars came off the ferry. How amusing to stop at the Wallan Rest Stop an hour or so later and find half the group having breakfast at Maccas!
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