Day 3: Wed 15 Feb 23 - Benalla

 Tue 15 Feb - Benalla

A very fresh 10 Deg overnight - fabulous temperature for sleeping, and  it reached a very tropical 32 Deg by late afternoon. Well that was one full day of activity and we're both feeling the effects. After breakfast, at about 0830, we set off in the car for a 125km drive along some very quiet country roads around the Benalla region Silo Art Trail where there is some very impressive silo art to be seen. First stop 19km away was the Goorambat Silo (Tribute to 3 local Clydesdale Horses and a Barking Owl) and the impressive 'Sophia' of Goorambat in the small town church. Another 13 km further the Devinish Silo (tribute to ex serving military members of the community), then 8km further the St James Silo (dedicated to Sir George Coles founder of Coles Supermarket who was a local) and lastly 15 km on to the Tungamah Silo (first painted silos in NE Victoria with a variety of birdlife). Here we stopped for a coffee and a short stroll around before continuing 57km back toward Benalla via the Winton Wetlands. Here we met an ex neighbour from Canberra for a lovely lunch at the Lake Mokoan Cafe. It was great to catch up with Jon again after he left Canberra for Benalla five years ago. After lunch Noel and I left Jon, and drove further into the Winton Wetlands to the Water Tank Artwork and then to Ashmeads Swamp Water Gallery (aka a bunch of painted trees in the swamp). By now it was quite hot and the lack of breeze made it feel even hotter. We arrived back at the van by 1430, and were quickly joined by our neighbours, John and Ann for a chat. A lovely West Australian couple who are starting their way back towards home tomorrow. At 1700, I headed off again to meet back up with Jon at the Benalla Gliding Club where he showed me around the club facilities and his own personal glider and aeroplane, both beautiful looking aircraft. After a short tour, it was back to the van to download far too many photos that I've taken today, followed by dinner, some planning for the next few days travel and blog writing. It's been a long, busy and hot day, and we're both ready for bed. 

Goorambat Silo

Goorambat


Goorambat Silo


Goorambat Silo

Sophia of Goorambat 

Just a plain country town church on the outside

Devinish Silo

Devinish Silo

Devinish Silo

Devinish Silo

Local war memorabilia across the road in an old store window

Devinish Community Pub

St James Silo

St James Silo

St James Silo


St James Silo

St James Silo

Original Coles Store in St James

Coles Store not looking so good on the inside

Tungamah Silo


Tungamah Silo


Tungamah

Tungamah


Tungamah

Tungamah

Winton Wetlands

Winton Wetlands

Winton Wetlands

Winton Wetlands


Winton Wetlands


Winton Wetlands

Winton Wetlands

Winton Wetlands

Winton Wetlands

Winton Wetlands


Winton Wetlands

Jon with his Glider

Jon with his Glider - named after his mother "Marcia'

Impressed.

Jon with his plane

...and a few photos from the Drone today

Lunch venue at Mokoan Cafe overlooking the Winton Wetlands

Winton Wetlands tank mural


Winton Wetlands


Winton Wetlands painted trees







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