Larkin decided – hey mom n dad – maybe not so many wine tastings and a wool museum instead! So I joined her for the wool museum and gaol and Michael headed off to a wine tasting on his own. He told us other than one wine he tasted, they were not memorable. He did meet some new wine friends! Must admit folks are creative though with their cellar doors and old boots! This provincial city had a gold rush in the 1850’s not long after California. The area has tons of history and charm.
Larkin and I were on the bus for the Wool Museum that started with a drive around Geelong -the waterfront, through parks and the bat tree, schools, and nice homes. Apparently the bats were driven out of Melbourne with loud sounds and music and our driver said Geelong is known to accept every one and every thing. Hence the bats now live around Geelong. It was interesting to see an entire tree with upside down bats take off with the sound of the bus horn.
The Wool Museum was staffed with docents who had a passion for what they were sharing. Larkin had an almost private tour and the woman came up to me and said how delightful my daughter was and that she should be able to buy anything she wanted in the museum store. Delightful actually it was. Needless to say we did find a few things to spend money on. I remember the smell of money but it was actually the paper mills in Pine Bluff! Women actually had an important part of wool history in Australia including breeding! The left side of the pano spool picture is where Charles was standing at the loom.
Next up – the GAOL! We had a wonderful walk about at the Gaol with characters telling us the stories of the previous inhabitants. Larkin and other cruisers were able to feel what it was like in solitary confinement. The three sisters was the place out back where prisoners received floggings with a whip of their own creation. It was not pleasant and women were not immune and received even worse floggings. This prison was not closed until 1991.
After the Gaol we had lunch near the pier with Gail and Russell and decided to Uber to a wool shop. Larkin and I both have started knitting. We have no idea how many days we might have on the open ocean as our ports keep changing. Might as well have a new hobby or two. After we headed back to the center of town, we stopped by a government building and found a stunning Venetian glass mosaic which reminded me of a mosaic in Philadelphia. The Art Museum which was across the street was unique in its architecture.
Next blog up includes seals and Folk festivals and wine! We sail into Adelaide tomorrow. We are gaining a half hour as you all at home are loosing an hour! Happy time change. Stay healthy and wash your hands!
THE TRAVELING MARTINI'S 