A little touch of Kindness

Well as I said last week, it looks like we have to do it all again.

On the way to Maldon I visited my aunt in Ballarat again.  Looking much better, heaps more colour and presence.

I arrived at the Badges after lunch to find Edward and Kevin working on Edward's new shed (Edward's Cafe).

Edward's new shed (Edward's Cafe) under construction
[Photo: Og Bear]

I inspect the progress and give my approval while Jan whips up tostadas, mmm, as good as if not better than last weeks and very filling.

Late afternoon and we head off to the 2013 Kindness Festival in Newstead, this week.

Arriving at the 2013 Kindness Festival at the Newstead
[Photo: Og Bear]

It is much smaller than last week, and is located at the old racecourse which now caters for local community events such as this.  The buildings have a very country feel, but when you look below the surface the facilities are right up to scratch.

Campers at the 2013 Kindness Festival at the Newstead
[Photo: Og Bear]

Old friends and new are there, Tex, Will, Stewart & Beth, Clare.

The numbers are down, but last years had been held in January, and not straight after a big event like last week's Live Festival.  Siobhan the organiser said that despite this they had already covered there expenses and were on the way to making a sizable donation to the landmine clearance cause.

Archer and the Long Gone Daddies playing at the 2013 Kindness Festival
[Photo: Og Bear]

Mick Coates and the Lonesome Cowboys playing at the 2013 Kindness Festival
[Photo: Og Bear]

What was good about this event was that it was all local bands putting there bit in to raise funds.  There were no artys or prententious types at all.

The night was finished with the ever popular Mick Coates.

Sunday was a good sleep in.  Once up, Edward and I retrieved an old home built cupboard, an functional artifact for the new shed.

Og and Edward waiting for the milkshakes treat at John's cafe
[Photo: Og Bear]

We treated ourselves to one of John's milkshakes, then grabbed a bit of lunch, no apricot turnovers though, only apple; no else has made that request, I am the first says Cindy at the bakery.

We decided not to go to see the Dear Family at the Brickyard Garden and just enjoyed a quiet afternoon with a nap.

We had a scrounge and I made an excellent tea, assisted by Edward and Jan.

Monday morning was another sleep in.

I had a really good journey home, and seemed to see a vista different to what I normally do.  I think I was taking time to take in the view.  Even running into Karla at Sailors Falls when I stopped there for a break.

Also, I discover a great little Salvo op shop in Bacchus Marsh.

Despite the fact I enjoy going back to Maldon, I was glad to be home.

[Lord Og Bear OOC Ozlander]

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For more photos check out:

https://picasaweb.google.com/102935184649222300700/KindnessFestival201302

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Cruised off to Apollo Bay

Cruised off to Apollo Bay to stay with the Badges for our annual break down there.  Yes, not Maldon, Apollo Bay where they rent a shack every year.

I was supposed to leave on Monday morning but my fistula got infected over the weekend which is really scary, as it can wreck it and I would have to have surgery to make a new one.  This is my first fistula that has lasted for 12 years, unusually long.

So it was off to emergency for antibiotics on Sunday, then to the clinic on Monday morning for the specialist to have a look at it.  They didn't want me to do my dialysis run until they saw it so I had to stay and do it on Monday night instead.

So after losing a day finally I set off on Tuesday morning and got to Apollo Bay to find the Badges among the rock pools at Marengo.

The Fisherman's Co-op now has fish'n'chips so it was there for lunch then back to the shack to settle in.

We had one of Edwards excellent lasagnas for dinner, salad compliments of Jan.

A good sleep in the next morning then up into the hills to Stephensons Falls to catch up with friends from the Blues Club who have camped there for 33 years.  You might remember I camped there with them a few years back with Zack.

We all had a good hike up to the Falls

Kel told us about the nearby Forrest Brewing Company, a new micro brewery so we headed off there for lunch.  I was a bit worried it might be a bit over the top, but it was nice and basic, and the fare was light, but tasty and excellent value.

We checked the history board outside and it was originally on old service station and shop.

We had heard that the Forrest Hotel had closed, so we wandered around the corner to check.  what a surprise.  We found another whole street that was the main center when the rail link was the only access to the area.

The old station area was taken up by a camping ground, then there were the remnants of two old sawmills on the old railway yard.

Every corner of this town seemed to contain a surprise and Edward was in his element peering at junk over fences with clear and explicit "KEEP OUT SIGNS".  No pickers welcome here Edward!

As we headed over the top of the hills back to Apollo Bay it had been a big day, but a good one.

The in joke was that this was the dry run for Jan's birthday which was the next day, but how could we upstage ourselves, as this was not on the day it would not suffice?

Thursday morning, sleep in again, then up to pack up, Jan's birthday not forgotten.

A last scout around the main street while Edward secures the tickets for the Music Festival when we return in 10 weeks time.  Jan stocks up on prawns for to take back to Maldon at the Fisherman's Coop.

I had come down the back way over the hills on Tuesday, however the trip home was up the Great Ocean Road.

I am a bit tired, so am glad to get home around mid afternoon, unpack and have a nap.

For more photos check out :

https://picasaweb.google.com/102935184649222300700/CruisedOffToApolloBay

NOTE: All  but Marengo rock pools and Stevenson Falls pictures in this blog were entirely shot by myself and Edward on the phone camera.