Sunday, Sept 3rd, 2017.
I read in the motel info booklet about Dr Gabriel, the local
man for whom the motel was named. He lived downstairs from what is now the IGA
in town, and when he died in 1927, his residence was boarded up and left
untouched until 1957 when someone decided the town needed a supermarket. So, in
they went, into a 1927 time capsule! Amongst Dr Gabriel’s belongings were
multiple small boxes, each containing glass plate negatives of all the photos
he had taken around town. What a find! Apparently they are on display somewhere
in town, but being a Sunday morning (cue the crickets) nothing is open, so we
have no hope of seeing them. Something for next time! We drive around to have a
quick look at the “historic” train station and snap a few pics in that area.
Couldn’t help myself, I had to go back and see those
historical bridges again in the morning light. And, it’s sort of on the way
back to the Hume. The cows are closer to the bridges today, so not wanting to
disturb them, I give them a wide berth.
Once back on the highway, it’s south to Albury with a few
pit stops on the way, and lo and behold, we drive right by a Bunnings, so duck
in and buy a thermos (to add to the collection we have at home!!) Ruth had
mentioned there were nice spots to picnic along the river so we found a picnic
table at the Mungabareena Reserve. Bit windy and cloudy, but did the job. Good
day for driving today, overcast and threatening rain. I’m feeling a little
better today, but realise I’m not going to manage all the driving, so about
30km from Violet Town, I give up and let Trevor take over so I can have a bit
of a nap. He makes sure I’m awake coming in to Violet Town.
I made a point that we drive through Violet Town to take a
photo of the name sign for Miss Violet and I was amazed to see the sign was an
artwork by Michael Leunig! I read he lives in the Strathbogie area, so maybe
he’s in V. Town! Trevor thinks he has the navigating sorted, he just has to get
us onto the 365, a nice straight run to Nagambie. He even comments as we drive
through Violet Town about how many turns the satnav is taking us on. Turns out
we’re making really good time………….. on the wrong road! Lucky I didn’t go back
to sleep or we’d have ended up in Queensland! We needed to be on the 345, not
the 365!! Crisis averted and we’re son back on the right road. Nice place this
Violet Town. I thought it the first time we drove through, it was even nicer
the 2nd time!
Our room tonight is in Nagambie, a small town off the main
drag, quite a fair bit off actually, but we’ve stopped in all the usual places
people stop along the Hume and I wanted to see somewhere new. We’re at the
Centretown Motel, a short stroll from Nagambie Lake, where recently a statue of
Black Caviar and jockey has been erected. There’s also a big statue of a
pelican, wings spread, catching the breeze off the lake. Big wide streets with
a big verge up the middle, part of the charm of a country town, although it’s
really difficult to get a handle on a town in these parts on the weekend.
We arrived shortly after 3pm, and by 4pm we were settled in
and ready to explore the main street, scout possible dinner locations and go
for a stroll around as much of the lake as we could. It’s a massive lake, so
going all the way round would be impossible. And of course, there’s a new land
release for sale, a waterfront estate. It would be interesting to know how much
they’re asking. Seems the horse industry is big business around here, so if
you’re not a ‘horsey’ person, I don’t know what you’d do for work.
My head is about to explode!! They have schooners in
Victoria! Finally, they’re coming around to our way of thinking! We have dinner
at the local rowing club, roast du jour for me, and wanting to blend in, a
chicken parma for Trevor.
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