Christmas Day

So this is my first really warm Christmas. Last night I went on the train from Melbourne and was picked up by Rachael and her dad. Today we did a brief tour round the town before having lunch at one set of relations and barbecue at another set. Much drink taken. Very kind people.

This is the memorial to Australian prisoners of war in the Botanic Gardens. The others are scenic views of the gardens.

Boxing Day

Lunch at yet more relations and a bit of a cuddle with Augie, Rachael’s nephew (aged 3 months). Nothing else as I have a pounding headache.

By the way I have discovered that both the Gavin and Stacey and Call the Midwife Christmas specials were on here about 15 hours after they were on in the UK. Not exactly sure what that means though.

27th December

Still in Ballarat. Had to have a massage this morning because of completely knotted shoulder and migraine. After that we went to the Eureka museum. The Eureka Stockade is considered to be the first victory for working men’s rights. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka_Rebellion for further details. This is their flag – the first Australian flag.

Now we are having dinner at Rachael’s dad’s house. These are two lorikeets, one in a cage and a wild one on the lawn. I feel that the relationship may be doomed.

Saturday 28th

Ballarat is a town built entirely around the Gold Rush in the mid nineteenth century. It has an amazing set of confident stone and brick civic buildings (and pubs) and very appealing ‘gentlemen’s’ bungalows. I haven’t taken many pictures but some of the impressive downtown stuff can be seen here https://www.weekendnotes.com/walking-tour-history-heritage-ballarat/