Old High Riser Blog

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Marysville 3

The Taggerty River flowing over the Keppel Falls has this interesting mini falls. I noticed on the Google map, the head of the river, with me assuming the rivers in the area flow south to eventually join the Yarra River. How ignorant. The Black Spur is a watershed and rivers flow north to eventually join the Murray River and not south as I assumed. 



It was time to leave Marysville and I drove the Black Spur, in misty rain. It was rather atmospheric. While I drove faster than Phyllis, still I accumulated cars behind me wanting to travel faster, so I pulled over once to let them pass. 

We stopped off at Maroondah Dam and after parking, we walked to the dam base. Under a shelter, I guess it was a family group together having a barbeque early lunch. While I have a couple of umbrellas in my car boot, there was no indication of rain, but down the rain came. We took shelter under a tree. "Kosov, there is no point in all of us getting wet. Just you run to the car to bring back umbrellas". By the time he returned, the rain had stopped. Someone among the family group was playing a guitar and singing an Asian song. It was nice to hear. I would have liked to visit the top of the dam wall and walk across, but rain had dampened our enthusiasm. 




While we sheltered under a tree, I noticed these interesting fungi. 



The next stop was a small shopping centre on the approach to Healesville for food and coffee, with a surprisingly good double espresso from a terrific bakery. The misty mountain was where we had driven.


While petrol was generally selling for about $2.15 a litre (AU$8.14 a US gallon), in Lilydale there was a self service unstaffed outlet selling for under $1.60. We filled up going and returning. 

Here we go, artwork at the other end of the Mullum Mullum tunnel. We are approaching home. It was a lovely time away and I could have stayed longer. 


So, two nights away with Phyllis and Kosov went very well. While I have spoken strongly to them a couple of times when I was unhappy with things around my home, we've never had an argument. No one has sulked or gone no speakies. I do bite my tongue at times over minor things, thinking this is really not so important. 

16 comments:

  1. I'm so glad the trip went well and you've found that you can travel with Phyllis and Kosov! That is no small thing.

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    1. Yes, while we stayed away a couple of times, it was a bit different in a two bedroom cabin, and fine.

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  2. They do seem to be quite lovely lads who have brought much pleasure into your life at an opportune time. It sounds like it was a very happy trip away for all three of you.

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    1. JayCee, it was neither what I wanted nor expected, but it has turned out terribly well.

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  3. Beautiful! I adore the sound of running water and all the images are awesome, my dear. I'm so glad you enjoyed your time.

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  4. There used to be a yellow dog trail that leads to a number of small falls there. I loved that rainforest vibe in the area. Now it feels very open without much canopy of trees

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    1. Roentare, we only walked the one real trail and I didn't think that one was very open. I can't remember seeing the Yellow Dog Trail.

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  5. Your photos are lovely. I am glad you enjoyed your time and you got some beauty along the way.

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  6. Nice artwork and lovely waterfalls.

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    1. River, being on the road, you don't get much time to look at the artwork, but with a photo, the work does look good.

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  7. The beauty of photographs is that you can revisit your holiday at leisure.

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    1. JB, photos are wonderful to look back on and retrieve memories.

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  8. Hello Andrew,

    Sometimes it really helps to get away from it all and enjoy free time in a new environment. It brings a new perspective to the everyday and helps to determine what really is important and what can be let go.

    Life is different but that can also bring good things your way.

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    1. JayLa, when I began reading your blog ever so many years ago, I remember you were travelling for a break to a large Hungarian lake. I am sure that was lovely.

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