You know where we are in Violet Town is Kelly country. There is a chance that Australia’s most famous bushranger once wandered across where our block is now… who knows??
So, given the impeding rain, we thought we might take a drive up to Glenrowan, only about 30 minutes further up the Hume so the kids can learn who Ned Kelly really was.
As we left the Hume we got our first surprise as Fi spotted an echidna crossing the road in front. Lucky I was able to stop in time or I may have had a flat from the spikes! Given where we were, the kids couldn’t safely come out of the car, so Fi and I jumped out and took a few quick pictures of the little guy.
As we continued into the town, we saw a giant statue of Ned Kelly, so of course we had to stop and take a picture.
As the girls were posing for their photos, I noticed that across the road was a Kelly Museum and gift shop, so we parked the car and wandered in. The museum was full of relics from the Kelly era, including a few replicas such as the armour suits below. As you made your way around the museum, you could read about Ned and his story as to why he became a bushranger.
Was fascinating and I certainly learnt a lot about him I didn’t know. Out the back of the museum was a replica of his log cabin. Kids being kids, it didn’t take long until they were in the lockup. I warned them what would happen if they didn’t behave…
Luckily they all made bail and we continued our tour through the town.
A few doors down was what I was looking for, the Ned Kelly Show. The story of Ned’s last stand told by moving marionettes in a light, sound and picture show. I remember coming here when I was about the girls age and being scared out of my wits, so of course I couldn’t wait to get the kids inside…hehe.
The show is still the same as I remember it way back in the early 80’s, sure it has had a lick of paint and a few enhancements over time, but mostly it was the same. The guy who runs the show said he had lived there for over 40 years doing this show… I don’t know how he was still able to look so into his job given it runs every 30 minutes!!
Anyway, the brave kids all piled into the first room where a magician took us back in time to just before the Kelly Gangs last stand. I think the girls lasted about 30 seconds before Jess climbed into my lap and Tara was holding on for dear life!!! Hehe… was still a scary show even after all these years!
Zac however was just doing his best to look bored. This stuff doesn’t scare teenager who kept saying “This is nothing, I play games scarier than this!”
Well, I just bided my time.
Was just after the shoot out that we were ushered into the inn, which of course the police set on fire. I motioned to Zac, “Hey Zac, look over here…” I said pointing to the fireplace. “What?” he said with a bored expression, moving closer just in case it was worth seeing…
I could not have timed it better….. BANG! the roof caved in above him and he nearly jumped out of his skin!!!! Hahahahahaha…. not so brave now are you!!!! I am so mean…hehe..
Anyway, we made it through the show, traveling back in time to present day as Tara held me so tight with tears streaming down her face… she was very relieved when we were finally let back out and the show was over. Even though they were scared through the show, they all had a great time and loved it….once it was over!!
We wandered across the road to a cafe for afternoon tea, then made the dash back home as we watched the rain getting closer and closer on the radar. Wasn’t long after we arrived back at Little Duna that it started raining and while not heavy, it wasn’t long before everything was soaked.
Fi and I looked at each other and shrugged. What could we do? So we packed the kids back in the car and went to the pub for dinner.
Had a great meal, the staff at the pub remembered the kids and they were lovely. The owner even gave Fi some cuttings from the garden to plant at our place… I mentioned we only had a paddock up here and she shrugged “These will grow in a paddock!!”
Zac was also bribed by the owner into finishing his chips with a free glass of coke if he could eat them.
We took our time eating and talking having a wonderful meal as the rain continued to fall outside. Was about 9pm by the time we got back to Little Duna where we sent the kids to bed as Fi and I sat in the guest house watching movies. This was the first night up here that we didn’t even light a fire!!
Anyway, while it rained all night, we woke this morning to beautiful sunshine. Already the ground is starting to dry and I think we will be ok for our last few days up here. Now, I can smell breakfast cooking on the bbq… bacon and eggs… gotta go!
Cheers,
