RAIN!! Lots of it!! Remind me again why we didn't turn north???
Despite the wet weather we did manage to get out and about on Wednesday to see as much as we could. We started with a visit to the Lady Nelson Visitor Information Centre to see what there is for us to see in Mt Gambier. The kids were very impressed with the replica boat out the front. After leaving the centre we took a drive up the crater to see the "not so blue" lake. Unfortunately, the lake is only blue between November and March. We stopped at the Rook wall and turret to have a look at the lake and could barely see the other side for all the rain and mist. The kids decided it was an absolute must that we climb the 176 steps up to the next lookout! OMGoodness, I nearly died!! After getting rather wet we clambered back into the car and went for a drive around the Valley Lakes area. We decided the rain was just too heavy to get out and explore the animal sanctuary but a little further down the road we did stop for the kids to have a play on the next best playground we have found. It was nearly as good as the one in Millicent. The kids were a bit put off by the green colour of all the equipment until we explained that it was so the playground blended in with the scenery. The Valley Lake area is just stunning. So, so green, beautiful lawn, lake for skiing or canoing, bbq's and benches galore. We even had the pleasure of seeing a black swan, and on thinking we could creep up on it for a photo we were surprised to have it come waddling right up to us waiting to be fed. We have told Erin that we will go back again on Thursday to feed the swan, geese and ducks. We were all a bit disappointed that we couldn't go up and climb the Centennial Tower as it wasn't open today.
After exploring the lakes area we headed for the central business district for some lunch and a coffee. I found a little cafe that I will most definitely have to go back to and try again. They have 24 flavours of hot chocolate!!!! R had an encounter with a very kind Coopers rep. He was standing with the boys under the pub drive through waiting for the rain to ease off before crossing the road when she offered him an umbrella to keep. There are still nice people in the world!! Next for the afternoon was a visit to the Cave Gardens behind the town hall. The kids thought this was pretty cool, especially since the waterfall was flowing (the one benefit we have had from all the rain). After the cave garden we headed to the "Main Corner" to explore the Kings Room exhibition all about Mt Gambier. The kids loved the floor area that was lit up with what looked like water, and had a great time "swimming". From there we moved into the theatre room to watch an hour movie on the big screen all about the volcanoes in the region. The kids managed to sit through 45 minutes before getting restless.
What a busy day, but it wasn't over yet. After going home for an early dinner, I spent some time doing washing, in my baby twin tub, in the dark, and while holding an umbrella over both of us!! I made use of the tumble driers in the park as there was no way I was going to get anything dry with all the rain about. T and I had a few games of ping pong and at 7.30 we headed off for the town centre again to go and watch the cave garden light and sound show. They play a film on the side of the building and then another on the wall of the cave garden, along with beautiful lighting of the plants. Needless to say it was the 45 minutes that we were standing in the garden that it absolutely bucketed down!!! In the end we gave up on the garden movie as the rain was getting heavier and we couldn't hear the movie over the sound of the waterfall which had started flowing again with all the rain!!! And of course the moment we got back in the car the rain stopped. Grrr.
Fingers crossed the rain will ease off a bit on Thursday, but listening to the weather reports and all the flood warnings for Victoria I'm not all that hopeful......
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