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Not a bad nights sleep all things considered and certainly not what I call cold. Maybe when step outside may change my mind. Not that that will happen anytime soon. It’s pitch black at 6 am, no street lighting, no cafe opens before 7 am – you know lunchtime ! – and on we go.

Much like Moses there will be a parting of the ways today which may explain the gentle sobbing I hear from bedroom . Of course it may be she realises I have not gone for an early morning walk. Anyhoo after our breakfast at morning tea time we will wander into the thriving metropolis that is Bendigo for a stroll and a gander at some street art. CLP will then head out to Grate Stupor at 11 am from train station while I fill in a few hours trying to find my way home by myself. Of course the real difficulty will be dressing for occasion as get caught out once start walking around. I have fallen for the old “ it’s cold weather here” shim sham too often of late. On the good news front ankle is not as restrictive as first thought and not limiting walking at this stage . Probably the warm weather 🥸 . At least it is not raining – that starts in Harcourt later this week 😥

So while the woosy locals stayed in bed I ventured out at 630 am and suitably rewarded with a very pleasant walk. Went to Corner Cafe as closest option open at 7 am and while all looked good the coffee was barely warm 😥

Delicious breakfast as expected in the solarium 😏 Contemplating why didn’t I bring my sluggos filled in a few minutes

Off we trekked into the Busting Bendigo CBD which clearly stands for Could Be Dead. Did I take a wrong turn? I am calling it now – Bendigo CBD makes Maryhole look like a vibrant thriving metropolis. Can tell a lot about a town by the stores doing well like Aussie Surplus and King Kong Sales. Meanwhile Freddy’s Fine Fromage and Foccacia Festivus is closed. Street Art array would embarrass a Pre School First Paint class in a Foot Painting district. Only so many angles to view “The Statue” from

And so we parted. CLP may return completely Stupafied while I just returned. Picked up some lunch for a few relaxing hours at home . At least getting plenty of walking in. CLP had a wonderful visit to Grate Stupor and then we met up in town for a coffee. Returned to Old Boundary for another meal but that will do for this week

Thursday dawned another booteeful day for our Golden Trip. First up , after breakfast, a leisurely stroll to the Gold mine for a squizz and a scratch. Then time for the talking tram and take a trip out to Lake WeeWop for morning tea and then another stroll back to Golden Dragon Museum. By then should be close to lunch time and another walk into town for lunch and a XXXX Gold at Woodhouse Bar and Grill. All this is contingent on being able to walk of course because for some reason last night couldn’t put weight on ankle when going for usual “nightly visits” . It is an enigma this one . The walk in the dark through the park just for a lark (and coffee) at 630 am should tell us all. Have to remember to buy concession tickets these days too although some dont ask for proof 😥

Well that wasn’t good. Ankle is a problem and the coffee was crap – “ hey Sweetheart, see that tool over there, try tamping down the coffee! “ Lovely time of day though and maybe a degree cooler. Had to wear underpants today🥸

Off to the Golden Triangle on a glorious day . A hobble here, a limp there and made it somehow to The Goldmine. Lady let us in a bit early which was great . Only did above ground caper as not sure if went underground would make it back up . CLP did pan for gold and said she only found two little specks but a certain glint in her eye and ordering a limo to the bank made me wonder

I briefly lay down for a rest and some smart ass starting wrapping me up . Actually did help with ankle pain

Then it was time for the tourist highlight of Bendigo. The talking tram. Lordy Lordy how dull and lame . Stopping at the Tramworks stop and can’t leave again because the brake is stuck. No one to help as on “tea break” . We left 20 mins later and finally arrived at Lake WeeWop and glad to leave the geriatrics behind. Had them all covered by 20 yrs methinks. And that’s just the conductor ! Lovely morning tea at Cafe Whitby on the lake.

Enough rest time for another 20 min walk to Golden Dragon Museum. I was instantly mesmerised and wanted to stay all day

Actually as far as museums go it was good although inside did feel like they just crammed a lot of colourful stuff in. The grounds were great though . Very pleasant limp around the temple

This just left the Gold at the end of the rainbow – a steak at Woodhouse Bar and Grill. Another 20 min walk and seated down for a perfectly fine meal. Good value even if the entrees were not that impressive. The young lassie knew how to pour a standard “ glass of wine “ so that’s a winner .

So that just left – you guessed it – a. 20 min walk home. Not sure what is going on here but the ankle is becoming a problem although not constant day to day. Has been great to do so much walking but really don’t know how will wake up the next day. Looking at ankle now am guessing it won’t be great 😥

And so will relax rest of day with a little bit of whining and moaning thrown in. JL pick us up tomorrow late morning and we will stay in town for lunch at Alium before decamping at Harcourt for 5 nights or as we say in the Ferguson family 15 bottles 🤪 Has been glorious weather last few days and may turn a bit wet come the weekend but not a problem ( see Ferguson Trait previously detailed). It was a good idea to stay in Bendigo for a few days and accomodation has been excellent but would suggest we have done Bendigo and don’t need another day

Unless that thrilling tram does a return trip 🤔