The 'Ned Kelly Weekend' in Beechworth!
Whilst on holiday, Mum and I seem to have a habit of booking accommodation at the last minute and finding out that we are arriving in our chosen city during major events. In 1999, upon arriving in Dublin, we found ourselves amongst the World Cup soccer competition. Australia and Ireland happened to be playing the next day, so do you think we could find a bed to sleep in anywhere in Dublin?! We chose to go to Beechworth this weekend to meet up with Dad and hand over Charlie, the family dog, who has been residing in Melbourne during my holidays. When attempting to book a room for the night, which can be fairly challenging when travelling with two 4-legged furry companions, we soon discovered that we had chosen to come to Beechworth on 'Ned Kelly Weekend' ...... we were in for an interesting time!
Mother and daughter in Thyme Cottage, Beechworth
Enjoying a cosy night in front of the wood heater
We arrived fairly late on Friday night and after a bowl of soup and a couple of reds, we hit the sack ready for our immersion in 'Ned Kelly Weekend'! The day dawned with a blue sky and plenty of frost, which Lexie was fascinated by having not seen the crisp white covering on the lawn before. After breakfast at a gorgeous cafe/nursery, we headed to the railway station to watch the re-enactment of Ned Kelly's arrest and subsequent journey to the gaol. The performance was fairly lack lustre, Ned was very compliant and wasn't even in handcuffs! I was so surprised at how many people had turned out for the weekend, including many Ned Kelly look-alikes, complete with long, flowing beards! We spent the rest of the morning wandering around the beautiful buildings in Beechworth and driving along the Gorge Drive, through the bush.
Lexie discovers frost for the first time
What a stunning spot for breakfast!
In the afternoon, we set off for the short drive to Albury to meet Dad, driving along some of the smaller roads, where we found our second surprise of the weekend ..... A Viennese patisserie in the middle of nowhere! Here, we enjoyed some beautiful cake and a scalding hot coffee, in the 'authentic' Austrian log cabin. The things you find when you venture off the main roads! We ended up in Albury, where we met Dad for a coffee before the sad handover of Charlie. I seem to miss the animals more than humans sometimes because I can't chat to them on Skype (despite my attempts to get Charlie to look at the computer!). I'll see Dad in 6 weeks time when he comes to China! Only one week to go.....sob, sob.
The re-enactment of Ned Kelly's arrest
Ned was very calm as the police led him towards the gaol!
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree
A beautiful Beechworth cottage
The restored front facade of the old Beechworth hospital
Perfect weather calls for an open air vehicle!
Thelma prepares herself for the wind
View from the car on the Gorge drive
Charlie contemplates life whilst overlooking the Beechworth valley
Lexie impersonates a meerkat
The beginning on the Beechworth Gorge
Rolling green hills
The Viennese patisserie at Allans Flats
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