A visit to 'The 'Rat'.

Well, this is a surprise. I thought Victoria's regional town of Bendigo was larger than Ballarat, but apparently not, and as I read it, not only is it the third largest Victorian city, Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, it is the third largest in Australia, which would now be exactly the same as listed. Correct me if you will, and that is by population. 

So last Saturday in the company of ABI Brother who arrived here by train, we drove to Ballarat to stay a night, the reason being that Ex Sis in Law had been given a voucher for an attraction in Ballarat, so most of the family were there and stayed either one or two nights. 

Saturday was Phyllis' birthday, and he was manic with excitement and loud. I was glad to get away. 

There were roadworks on the way, leading to a 20 minute plus delay and very annoyingly, as we reached the end of the stop start traffic, all lanes of the motorway had just reopened. 

The family were all staying in four different apartments in the same accommodation. I feel I've written this before but I've successfully booked flights, trains, cruises, attractions and accommodation all over the world, yet for some reason I missed being mislead by booking.com and was steered to other accommodation.  weeks later before I realised my mistake and I could have cancelled the booking without cost but I just couldn't be bothered. As it was, it turned out fine. 

It was nice to spend some time with ABI Brother and we had some very relaxed chat. It was like catching up with an old friend. It's not that I don't see him often, it was just on a different level.

This is where we stayed, a large two bedroom apartment occupying the whole top floor, with a bathroom and a modest ensuite to the second bedroom. At the very front of the upper storey was a large triangular spa bath, with my bedroom being behind. Our building has a spa, so it is not a novelty to me, and I didn't take one. 

The metal plate at the front door must tell the stories of thousands of people who have entered the building, once a private home. 

From the street outside, I believe this is the Ballarat Town Hall tower. 

On the Saturday night from the street, the patrons of The North Star Hotel were really enjoying themselves, with the female voices dominating the loud voices from the pub. Our windows were double glazed, so no noise could be heard inside.

This is the mumsy entrance. Floor boards creaked, things fitted where they fitted, or not quite. 

See the beginning of the stairs to get to our apartment? They were steep and the type where you had to place your feet nearly sideways. 

Not quite across the road but nearby are old trains sheds.

And Ballarat train station, with a train about to depart. Across the road from us was a bus storage area along the street, where buses waited to meet trains. 

The private housing next door.

The next house, painted a soft pink with a non working weather vane. 

I believe this is the Ballarat Town Hall.

I believe this is the Ballarat Post Office tower.

Further along the street.

 

Sunday morning the remaining family members brunched at the cafe Drive. It was good. This is Oldest Nieces' phone case. Gummi Bears, as Phyllis informs me. 

Another fine building near where I parked at the cafe.

As I was leaving, I stopped to take a photo of the fire station.

And this monument. 

There was a major Australian Rules Football match being played on the day in Ballarat, and all hotels were booked out for dinner that night. Ex Sis in Law and her tribe of six adults and nine children ate Asian takeaway at their accommodation, while ABI Brother, Sister, Bone Doctor and Jo enjoyed an adequate Indian meal at a nearby restaurant. 

Then it was on to the show at Sovereign Hill, called Aura. 

The show began with us watching a film about how the universe was formed and eventually planet Earth. 3D glasses were involved, and I felt like ducking as meteors and rocks came screaming towards my head. The Big Bang was scary.

We were then bused to the next venue where we the First Nation explanation of how the universe was formed. Interestingly, it was narrated by the late Uncle Jack, a gay First Nation actor, with whom I had a mere acquaintance. 

Bused to the next location, the finale was as it has been for years but very much upgraded, as it tells the history of Ballarat with a strong focus on gold mining that made the city so rich in the 1800s, with a focus on gold miners who arrived from all over the world and their disastrous interaction with the  Colonial Government.

The whole tour lasted 90 minutes, and while children would be impressed by the special effects in the final part, it was more targeted at adults. 

It was back to our apartment for a drink and watch the election results. Next morning we caught up with some of the remaining family members for brunch at Drive, a rather good cafe on the site of an old car petrol service station. 

ABI Brother decided to save money by buying the day before his breakfast to heat up, and as train travel is free for seniors on Sunday, caught the 10.04 train home. I was annoyed. I felt I had responsibility to return him to his home to work on Monday. I had been getting offers from the accommodation to stay another night for half price, and I could have. Ex Sis in Law and her husband were staying that night before going on to northern Victoria. I won't make that mistake again. I must do what I want to and then think about others. 

I am sure this post needs a good edit, but here it is raw.