Prospecting for gold and a meeting with a fellow blogger.

 The Gold Rush Colony. It was like going back in time to the gold rush days of 1851. The first gold rush in Australia began after prospector Edward Hargraves claimed to have discovered payable gold near Orange, at a site he called Ophir. Hargraves had been to the Californian goldfields and had learned new gold prospecting techniques such as panning and cradling. This technique was shown to us by Rob, our guide, who gave us a very informative talk and tour of the mine followed by a 'try your hand at panning and you can keep whatever you find'. The site was beautifully presented and even the rock crushing machine was turned on for us to see. Boy was it noisy!!! How those prospectors put up with the racket for hours at a time was beyond comprehension. Anyway, needless to say, Ian failed miserably when it came to the gold panning, failing even to find even the tiniest piece of gold. As for me, well I wouldn't get rich on the meagre bit laying in the pan but at least I found some!

See those two shiny bits at the top. That's gold!.

The rock crushing machine. Thanks to Marilyn's comment it is called a stamper battery

Exactly where I want him. Unable to escape when I start nagging!

In the mine. The cage was for the canary to detect the gasses!

Bottom right, a stake to show that the area where the gold was found was yours. And top left a typical 'diggers' hut.

Top left the barbers, bottom left Police hut and bottom right the jail

Top left more of the Police hut, top right the outside 'dunny' plus sleeping quarters along the bottom.

Top right the pub with the rest being a settler's cottage.

 We enjoyed a pleasant few hours walking around the site until I was bitten big time on my leg by a huge flying insect. To say it hurt was an understatement but having been made aware of those nasty bugs here in Oz I carry at all times cream to rub on bites and stings. Worked a treat it did. Then on the way back to the campsite we stopped at Dalmeny, a fabulous looking beach with its natural pool and decided for a change to go for a swim. Only just got wet up to the knees when the jellyfish put in an appearance! That put paid to our swim!

Also seen in the pool. Hundreds of these.

So today (7th November) we set off for Eden. First stop was a village called Tilba. It is a perfectly restored and maintained period village protected by the National Trust. Another stepping back in time moment although most of the properties are shops selling good old Aussie produce. Here we experienced a milkshake made from malt, caramel, vanilla ice cream and full fat milk. A very naughty combination for me being on a low fat diet but oh so very delicious.

Then it was onto Bermagui to meet Margy and Lawrence. Several days ago I had a comment from Margy who, having read my blog, knew we were on our way to Eden. So it was with great delight to meet a fellow blogger here out in Australia. Margy and Lawrence hired a narrow boat at Mercy Marina earlier this year only returning to Oz a week ago. You can read there blog here
Needless to say, a nicer couple was yet to meet. Would have loved to have known them in the UK and hopefully, as they are big fans of the boating malarkey, will visit and hire another boat in the future. Once again, Margy, a big thank you for your generosity of paying for our lunch which we hope to repay some time in the future.

The caravan park in Eden

 And the wildlife

Australian Wood duck

Rainbow Lorikeet

Black Swan

Masked Lapwing

A beautiful large wild orchid