Saturday, 25 May Melbourne to Mildura

 

Saturday 25 May

Melbourne to Mildura

I set off from Upwey at 7.30 this morning, picked up Renee in Coburg around 8.30 and then we were on our way. We headed out on the Tullamarine Freeway and it was strange to be taking the Calder Highway rather than the exit to the airport. 

Our first stop was Bridgewater on London where we had a cuppa and a toastie followed by a stroll along the river walk. Very pleasant apart from the noise of the corellas.

We stopped for petrol in Wycheproof and I thought of Smith’s role in the Wycheproof  production of South Pacific back in 1974. “Going to the beach Nellie?”

Next stop was in Ouyen for a drink and to stretch the legs. Nothing was open in the main part of town so we made do with the Ampol service station. Beautiful sunny weather as we’ve headed north, after a cold and foggy start this morning.

We arrived in Mildura just after 4.00 and checked into the Mildura Grand Hotel. Our rooms are upstairs and around a maze of corridors. A trail of breadcrumbs would have been a good idea.

Went for a walk down (about a thousand) steps to the Murray River and then back up across a bridge over the railway line where we got an amazing view of the sunset.

Had a delicious steak dinner at the Spanish Grill. The steak was barbecued over red gum coals. This was accompanied by a local Sangiovese wine which I really liked, so I bought two bottles on the way out. I didn’t even ask the price but I got quite a shock when I checked the receipt. Never mind, it’s a holiday.