The town of Coal Creek comprises about 30 old shops and businesses that have been moved here from various places to look something like what an old mining town would have looked like, plus a steam train salvaged from the good old days. 
The businesses were all fitted out with whatever they did or sold and the whole village was one of the best examples of an old mining town that we have seen.
Merry spent about twice as long as Barry looking around taking her usual hundreds of photographs. We spent about an hour in this village and were very impressed. We could have stayed longer but with the dog in the car this was not possible. Even the gardens were lovely with some still having spring flowers in bloom. As with a lot of Victoria the whole place was very English looking and the gardens were mainly English country gardens.
From Coal Creek we went for a drive to the Botanical Park where we had been told there was a nice walk beside the creek to take Foxy for a walk. The actual Botanical Park was very nice with lots of imported and native trees but the actual walk along the creek was a bit ordinary – the walk quite short and not much to see.
Merry programmed the Navman to take us to Strzelecki, Seaview, Drouin and finally back to Loch and so we set off. We spotted a sign that said somebody’s lookout so Merry asked if we could take a look so we turned off down a dirt track with some fairly steep drops on one side or the other. The track was only wide enough for one vehicle with nowhere to go if we met something coming the other way which fortunately we didn’t. After driving for about 5 kms we came to a barn and a farm gate and no lookout in sight so we turned around and went back to the road. At the road we took another look at the sign which said somebody’s outlet not lookout, still we enjoyed the views. On to Strezelecki. We came to a sign that said ‘Welcome To Strzelecki’ but we didn’t see any buildings but we did stop for some photographs as the area was very pretty. Where we stopped there was another sign facing the other way also saying Welcome to Strzelecki so quite what we were being welcomed to we really don’t know. We continued on to Seaview and turned onto a road called Grand Range Road, which took us through some spectacular ranges with scary drops off the side and again quite narrow. This was again a dirt road and I noticed that Barry’s knuckles were often white on the steering wheel. I don’t think he saw much of the lovely scenery. We came to a sign saying Seaview but once again no buildings. Our Navman said we still had 2.5 kilometres to go and told us to turn right, he then told us to turn left which left us a bit confused but as the paper map appeared to be to the right to get to Seaview we turned right. Fred (our Navman) then told us to perform a U turn as soon as possible but this proved impossible so we kept going. After about 5 kilometres we decided that we had made a mistake but we still didn’t see anywhere to turn around on this very beautiful but narrow and twisty road and Fred was still saying perform a U turn when possible so we turned him off. Our only option was to keep going until we saw a sign which gave us some indication of where we were going to and eventually this happened and when we saw a sign for a town which we recognised we headed for it. Drouin didn’t happen and we drove for considerably longer than we intended but I really enjoyed the trip and I think Barry did also when he dared to take his eyes off the road for a fraction of a second.
After a lazy morning, Sue cooked a beautiful pork roast for lunch followed by Christmas pudding and brandy cream or custard. The meal was delicious and as usual beautifully cooked. Tea was ham, cold pork, cheeses, prawns and salad. Barry actually made an attempt to eat a prawn but only managed about half before it was rejected as poo.Saturday 26 December 09
We left home with Garon and Sue at 8.30am to get the train into Melbourne to go to the Boxing Day Test (cricket). Colin the MD of Garon’s firm is a member of the MCC and he invited us to lunch in the Harrison Room in the Ponsford Stand. This lunch is put on by the ”29 club” which is a group of older members who only admit to being 29 and therefore, can continue to play cricket for as long as they like. We arrived at the ground at 9.30 and as we had general admission tickets as well we watched the practice of both teams and the start of the first session from about 6 rows back in the general admission section of the ground. When Colin arrived he took us through to the members stand and on to the Harrison Room where we started with champagne. This of course went straight to my head so I took the opportunity to find a seat in the Ponsford Stand (where padded seats had been reserved for us). The seats were on the second level where you get a superb view of the wicket but are still close enough to see the play properly. I had my binoculars with me to see the faces but I didn’t use them much.
Lunch was Tasmanian Trout served on a bed of potato salad with tomato and avocado, followed by medallion of beef with zucchini, potatoes and beetroot relish. A side of sour dough rolls.
Afternoon tea was party pies and sausage rolls.
Drinks were free between 12.00 and 4.00 pm and wine was served with lunch. I mainly stuck with water after my scare with the champagne.
The cricket was excellent with Watson run out on 93 and Katich caught on 98. Ponting was caught on 57 and Mike Hussey and Hauritz (sent in as night watchman) still there at close of play.
We missed about half of the second session with lunch which included an interview with Brad Hodge which was interesting n some respects but he should have kept his bitterness with the selectors to himself, but we saw all of the rest. It was a very special day and one we will probably never repeat. Our next trip to the cricket will be sitting with the riff raff again.
27, 28 and 29 December 09
We spent these days watching the cricket at home on Garon’s big LED screen TV. Pakistan put up enough of a fight to take the test match to a fifth day which was good.
However, we did drive down to Frankston to take a look at the sand sculptures display on 27th. This display was quite something, featurin
g moments in history. They use builders sand which apparently is square rather than beach sand which is round, to keep the sand together. 
When the sculpture is finished it is sprayed with something which helps to stop it deteriorating. The display is on until 26 April so they obviously expect it to last until then.
Leisure day
In the evening, due to the lack of anything intelligent on TV, we watched ‘Wolfe Creek’ at Barry’s request as he had never seen it but has wanted to ever since spending two magical nights there, with two great friends and their dog. The film didn’t bother him and he would still go again if the chance comes his way.
Merry packed most of our gear ready for leaving tomorrow. Barry helped Garon finish off the fence now that the cement is thoroughly set and then modified the front gate slightly to stop it sticking during hot weather.
In the evening, for the same reason as yesterday, we watched ‘Slumdog Millianaire’.
Monday 4th January 10
Finalised packing at Garon/Sue’s and headed for Carrum Downs to do some shopping and retrieve the caravan from storage. We then drove down to Stony Point and set up the van and annexe.
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