Day 14, 12/5, Avonsleigh

Lunch in Avonsleigh

As the majority of our UK visitors were staying near Alan and Noeline we invited them up for lunch and a taste of the Dandenong Ranges and an opportunity to say farewell until next time.

First stop was Cardinia Reservoir , and hopefully some Kangaroo’s and Emu’s in the wild. Whilst Maritta, Claire and Norman busily setup for lunch and the arrival of our visitors.  Dale went to Cardinia Reservoir to met up and then guide everyone to Avonsleigh.

Day was damp with occasional sunshine so the Kangaroo’s were sadly all hiding in the forest and the Emu's where also not interested in coming out.

Next stop was Emerald Memorial Walk and the recently installed carving of "The Unknown Soldier".

From here a short drive found us at home for late lunch and finally sad goodbyes.

Photographs thanks to all on the Rally .

Cardinia Reservoir picnic area, normally swarming with Kangaroo's

Emerald's Unknown Soldier carved from a recently felled old cypress

Puffing Billy arrives in Emerald just in time

Emerald Station

Lunch in Avonsleigh

Visitors arrive

Gathering for lunch and reflections of the last 4 weeks

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves

The "Three Wise Monkeys" Mike B, Mike H and Ian

Crang was very popular

Most braved the cold to check out the view

Day 13, Swan Hill to Melbourne

Swan Hill to Melbourne (~340km)

Today was quite a big journey and therefore it was agreed that an earlier start was needed. Everyone was away by 8am although we only made it to the main street of Swan Hill.

We had originally planned going to Lake Boga for breakfast however thanks to some last minute research by Richard T we discovered the Lake Boga Café, in spite of its very impressive website, had gone in to receivership. A quick rethink and breakfast was taken at two café’s in the main street of Swan Hill.  A quick fuel stop for some of the vehicles, then off to the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum.

Lake Boga was a secret inland repair base and landing site during WW2 for a variety of Flying Boats including the magnificent Catalina. It is about the only thing in Lake Boga these days but is well worth the effort of a visit. Unfortunately we could only spend about an hour there but could easily have spent 2 or 3 hours. We heard that plans are afoot to expand the museum with further exhibits and accommodation which will make it an even more impressive destination. Since 2008, tourism figures have increased from about 3,000 visitors per year to 20,000 per year and increasing.  This is great especially for Lake Boga as one of a large number of struggling rural communities.

From here we hit the road in earnest travelling down the Stuart highway to Kerang then Bendigo and then via the McIvor and the Northern Highway to Wallan. We left the group in Wallan as it is easier to skirt the city via Kinglake and Yarra Glen to get home.  It was quite a chilly drive and we reached home in the dark. We were grateful for a hot shower and hot cup of tea.

The end of another Great Alvis Adventure.  Many thanks to all for your wonderful company and unforgettable memories.     

Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum

12/50's with Lake Boga in the background

The huge Catalina flying boat

View down the Catalina, it has bulk heads like a ship so flooded compartments can be closed off

Inside the still operational radio bunker.

Mike B photographs Lake Boga

Todd's Speed 20 on the road

Passing truck become a wind hazard as well

Open road on outskirts of Bendigo

The weather fines up but the wind makes driving very difficult

Quick stop to lower hoods before the ferocious wind removes them

How many people does it take to put down one Alvis 12/50 hood?

Day 12, Mildura to Swan Hill

Mildura to Swan Hill (~220km)

Not far to go today so Noeline allowed us a fairly leisurely start.

We gathered for breakfast at Brumby’s and a quick look around Mildura before heading off through Hattah Lakes National Park to Ouyen.

In Ouyen we stopped off at the General Store, now a tyre fitting workshop, once owned by Alan’s grandfather (Arnold), a mover and shaker in early Ouyen.  Leaving Ouyen their was some confusion and we missed the drive passed of the family home.  As we have discovered many times before - it is amazing in how many different directions ½ dozen Alvii can go in a short distance all with the same specified directions.  We managed to re-group and exited the town towards Manangatang.

While we had planned to have lunch at Manangatang we quickly discovered it was almost a ghost town there was not so much as a coffee or chip to be had - so we went on to Piangle.

At Piangle we got fuel, coffee and some (quite massive) potato cakes to keep us going until we got to Swan Hill and our over night stop. Although a bit short of time but we fitted in a quick visit to the Pioneer Village in Swan Hill. As it was Sunday (and Mothers Day) there were several volunteers driving the various tractors around the village (what an amazing Men’s Shed).  This was great entertainment for the men making the entry cost worthwhile, not sure the ladies were quite so entertained.

Norman and Claire on the road heading out of Mildura

Mildura River Gardens

Kamikaze bird flies through the convoy!

Ruth and Mike wait patiently to proceed

Baker's Graber heading out of Mildura

Todd's Speed 20 and Blundell's Eagle heading out of Mildura

The group stops at Big Lizzie in Red Cliffs

Big Lizzie, built to carry huge loads across soft ground

Wide open plains heading towards Swan Hill - Riverina region

Dust storm approaches as the Hirst's head into the storm

Stark landscape in wheat belt country

12/50's hit the outskirts of Ouyen

Once the Ouyen General Store was owned by Alan's grandfather

Plague recognising the history of the building.

Dust caught on the headlights from the dust storm

About the only thing in Manangatang

Rainbow across the fields outside Piangle

Group reaches the outskirts of Swan Hill

Hirst's 12/50 passing the riverboat GEM moored on the Murray.

Lathe made from car parts, looked like an Amilcar block supporting the head

Mighty Lanz Bulldog

A lot of the tractors in the Swan Hill Pioneer Village are in running order and are used regularly

Rainbow over Swan Hill Pioneer Village - Photo by Jo Todd

Motel car park in Swan Hill

Dinner in Swan Hill Hotel