The group set off at 8.30 from Allan’s place, with Nick driving the bus.  (Thanks Nick for once again giving up Grand Final weekend to support the club.)  Heather and Edena, Helen and Sally drove independently.  Stephanie and Geoff had taken an extra day, and gone to St Arnaud on Thursday.   Allan, who, along with Kelly, had planned the trip, was unable to attend.  We kept him posted with regular Facebook updates.

Loaded up and ready to go

All aboard!

Kara Kara Winery was the first stop, which a pause to hear about the Goldfields wine district, check out the wines, and make a few discreet purchases.

Stephen and Steve (his dad, who founded the vineyards)

Try before you buy

Some happy customers

After a quick settle in at the St Arnaud Caravan Park, it was off to lunch.  The bakery had run out of food, but the alternative, a newly opened cafe,  The Dabbling Duck, was excellent.

Lunch at the Dabbling Duck

A 20km tour of St Arnaud, including the Wax Gardens, bush lookout, steam engine and Love Cottage (a National Trust property and the oldest miner’s hut still standing) gave the legs a stretch after the long bus ride.  Some (your author included) whinged about the loose gravel, but the bushland and lookout were worth the angst.  Early wildflowers were spotted by those ‘with eyes to see’ in the Wax Gardens.

Gentleman Kelly holds the gate at the Wax Gardent

The Wax Gardens

Grevillea

The fast walkers

Egg and Bacon

Wax-lipped orchid (there were hundreds)

Gravel alert

St Arnaud Lookout

St Arnaud from the lookout

steam engine

David is ever ready

Edena and Maida at Love Cottage

Statue at Love Cottage

Love cottage

Margy and Kevin

Pensive digger at Love Cottage

Mural in St Arnaud main Street

Dinner was at the St Arnaud Sportsman’s Club.

Nick