Mansions, Melbourne and Myer

Back home safely from Noosa and a day of rest.  We appear to have brought the warm weather back to Bannockburn.

Saturday saw us off again, picnic packed and on the way to Werribee.  They don’t have many large properties over here as obviously they don’t go back as far as we do, except for the First Nation people, and they lived outside!  So Werribee Park Mansion was lovely to see.  Built in the 1870’s by Thomas and Andrew Chirnside, two brothers who had arrived from Scotland.  The elder brother had been in love and hoped to marry and bring his bride out to Australia, however, her father would not allow the match.   After making a success of their farm and building the lovely house, the older brother sent younger brother back to Scotland with instructions to bring Mary over by any means he could.

He did.  He married her! 😡  They lived in the house, had children, and big brother never married. Quite sad.

 

The house was lovely, however, unlike the National Trust, there were no volunteers in the rooms, no thistles on the chairs and I don’t think they employed many people as the place was in need of a good dust!😊😊  Beautiful furniture and all rooms appeared to be open.  Until a few years ago it had been owned by the Catholic Church and had been a seminary.  (A place of training for young men to become priests).

The gardens were gorgeous, I would have loved a few of my gardening friends to have been with us!! 

One tree was full of squawking Flying Fox bats.

Although we had seen them in Noosa at dusk, it was wonderful to see them in the daylight.  Flying to the tree and hanging upside down!! Best not to walk under the tree.  😂😂 

Sunday saw another picnic packed and off to Melbourne for an overnight.  Several stops on the way to our  hotel, including a quick fix of walking along the promenade.  There are some wonderful beaches over here and with a strong wind blowing the waves are amazing to watch.  Love them!

Once again Pam and I joined in the local tradition of having breakfast out!!  Her large bowl of healthy porridge and fruit and mine of avocado, feta and pomegranate seeds on sourdough bread, kept us going all day!!! I don’t see Greggs or Costa coffee in Stowmarket quite filling the gap somehow 🤭🤭

So Paul went into the office on monday and Pam and I hit Melbourne and the Museum of Immigration.  Very interesting to read how not only the UK but other counties have treated the First Nation people. 

Everywhere you visit and on t.v programmes there is always a Thank You to those people, naming the Tribes they are from.  Next time I see such a plaque I will try and get a photo.

Managed a little bit of retail therapy as the sales were on, including my old favourite Myer, the Debenhams of Australia!  Oh come on, it would be rude to say NO😀😀

Back for a few days catch-up before the flight to Perth….. more later👍👍