Automobiles, Trains and Planes

Our last few days in Halls Gap have flown by with BBQ’s and get-togethers with friends. It was hard to say goodbye but it made it easier knowing that we would be returning in 6 months. There is a fantastic community in Halls Gap that we have been fortunate to be a part of for the past six months.











The rest of the weekend was spent in a mad rush getting the house cleaned up and our bags packed. We were surprised to see how much stuff we accumulated in 6 months. Well not really, we are both pack rats so it was somewhat expected. We managed to squeeze in a final game of Carcassonne with Frank and Sylvia and their son and his wife. Today we finished the packing and caught a ride into Ararat with Roz, Daryl and the kids who generously offered to take us in to catch the train. It was good to get a visit and play in with them as Aiden has become best mates with their son and Roo has gotten on quite well with Roz who is also a teacher.

The train ride into Melbourne was excellent and possibly the best train experience we have ever had. The train was on time to the minute all the way through to Melbourne and it was nice to cruise 130 km/h through the countryside watching kangaroos and sheep clear way. It was so unlike any Canadian train we had been on, and enough of a nice experience that Roo had to admit that it was a good idea: something she wouldn’t have done prior to the trip. Our 7 hour and 2 hour delayed trains we caught in Canada last summer have likely given her a grim outlook on trains.
We are now in a hotel near the airport ready to catch a plane back home tomorrow morning. Our time in Australia is drawing to a close and we are looking forward to getting home to family and friends. For those of you still reading this hopefully we will see you soon.