Brisbane Family Trip - Day 1 (Heading Off)

The Fezzant Creak Rambler was a blog I had set up many years ago to write about all sorts of stuff going on in my life - from funny YouTube clips and politics to rebuilding activities post Black Saturday and business related stuff. I also wrote about our family trip to South Australia back in 2011. People seemed to follow my ramblings about that trip, so why not do this again?

It is 10th April 2019. 2018 did not include any big trips so I was determined not to miss out two years in a row. The Australian National Band Championships are on in Brisbane this Easter, and my band (Box Hill City Band) is competing. We've never attempted to drive to Queensland before (the furthermost north we've driven has been Canberra). This sounds like the perfect excuse for the 2019 Family Trip.

Over the course of two and half weeks we will amble up to Brisbane, arriving just before Easter. After taking part in the Championships we will then head back home.

Sounds like a plan.

Sort of.

Leaving behind a tonne of work during what would normally be one of our busiest times of the year was part of the plan, but possibly not great thinking.

Convincing the family (one wife and two moody teenagers) that early(ish) morning starts and long stints on the road sounds like a great holiday was also part of the plan. We'll see whether this was a mistake.

Anyway, bugger it. The accommodation has been booked (mostly non-refundable), the car has been serviced and we do need a holiday - so off we head.

8:15am start time and first stop is our local bakery/cafe, as Lesley was going nowhere without a proper coffee. Note the fog in the picture above. It was a cold start to the trip.

Morning tea destination was Euroa, about an hour and a half away.  Decent food at the Mawsons Bakery (and service with a smile!). After I had driven this first shift, I handed the steering wheel (figuratively) to Nick.

Whilst Nick doesn't have a full driver's license yet he has had more experience on the road than I did at his age (18). This was his first time driving with all the family in the car.

He took his turn at the wheel without any issues.

The next stop was Beechworth. I like this town, full of old historical buildings, and the famous Beechworth Bakery. This wasn't the reason for the visit though.

The Brewery makes great pizzas. It also makes beer. Both Nick and I were going to try their taste paddle of ten (10) beers.

Here's Nick reading the tasting notes.

My verdict - The hoppier their beers got the more I enjoyed them. Their flagship Pale Ale was also pretty damn good. And a great malty, chocolaty Porter.

Nick's verdict - great lagers.

Random photo of old but shiny car parked in the centre of town at Beechworth.

 I could have spent all afternoon there, however we had more traveling to do.  Lesley drove after lunch (best for me not to drink and drive), and after a couple of hours and a driver changeover in Holbrook (home of the lost submarine), we arrived at our overnight stop in Gundagai.

No photos of the canine on the crate. Perhaps tomorrow.  Not a great deal to actually do here. 

Dinner was at The Family Hotel. Great pub food and reasonable service. Consider that a recommendation.

Tomorrow we drive to Katoomba.

Total Km 473

Total hours behind the wheel 5 1/2

Spotify Playlist of the Day: Lounge Covers by Jordi F. Prats