Big Trip 2026(1) Day 1 - Getting Into The Swing Of It

 Welcome to my 2026 big trip (Part 1).

For those of you not caught up with my 2025 shenanigans (or for me rereading this in 2035, forgetting what happened 10 years ago) I had open heart surgery back in April 2025.  This was to replace my enlarged (and invreasingly dodgy) aortic arch with a synthetic one.  Recovery was a bugger and any significant road trips in 2025 were ruled out.

2026 originally looked promising with a big trip in March, however ongoing health concerns caused a bit of a loss of confidence in traveling far and wide.  I reconsidered doing one big trip for this year, and instead will break the trip up into two halves – half now and hopefully half at the tail end of 2026.

“What was the full trip going to be?” I hear you all ask.

The plan was to drive along the coast lines and borders of Victoria – heading down along the Great Ocean Road to Nelson in the west, then up through to the Northern point near Mildura, then following the Murray down to the Alps, crossing those mountains till we hit Mallacoota in the far east, and finally following the coast line until we get back home.

The new plan is to head straight up to Echuca, on the Murray, turn right and complete the second half of that trip.

This time around, I wasn’t going to be traveling alone. I had Nick to share the driving, as well as navigate and ensure that I don’t do anything stupid (maybe that's a mutual thing).

Here he is.

That's Nick, helping pack the car

 This first day was a fairly short drive covering a lot of roads that I had driven before.  The plan was to reach our cabin in Echuca at the earliest time possible, and then explore the tourist precinct.

First stop was morning tea, in Seymour.

Those who read my blog for the previous trip in November 2024 will remember I undertook a pie review everyday (well, most days).  I will be continuing with that challenge this time. Nick has agreed to undertake a similar challenge, with sausage rolls.  Details of our reviews will be at the end of each blog.

After buying the aforementioned food we drove to the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk in Seymour.  This was an extensive outside tribute to those who fought in The Vietnam War, with every Australian participant named on a series of panels.  It sort of makes sense that a memorial like this is located here, given that the Puckapunyal Army base is located nearby.

 Brief stop at Murchison to meet the locals.

Murchison local

 Lunch stop was at Kyabram. Neither of us were particularly hungry so we had a snack and took the opportunity to stretch our legs before heading the last 40km to Echuca.

Accommodation is at the Four Seasons Caravan Park. We have a spacious 2 bedroom cabin for a cost under $100.

Tea tonight was at the Star Hotel in Echuca. I’ve eaten here a few times before and have never been disappointed.

Fish & Chips. Chicken Parma

Turning now to sport, it was good to see the Kangas win their first game of the season.  After many years of disappointments is it too soon to start hoping for something better?

Food Review

The first review today comes from Gaffney’s Pie Kitchen in Seymour. You have to appreciate the confidence from a shop that has expanded to two, with the second one in Heathcote.  I’m not sure which location was the first one.

Nick’s review of the sausage roll was that it tasted very similar to the (excellent) sausage rolls made by the original Flying Tarts (our local bakery in Pheasant Creek). Score 8/10

 I started my pie quest with an unusual creation – The Chicken Parma pie.

This was a very ambitious pie that almost worked well.  Large chunks of chicken breast with a special “parma” sauce, with some melted cheese on top.  I think there may have been some bacon according to the website, but wasn’t featuring in my pie.

Conceptually I think it ticked all the boxes necessary for a parma experience. It just didn’t rate highly for me. Maybe I wanted a more tradional pie, and that’s my fault for choosing something different. Score 6/10

 Today's Album - Midnight Oil 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1

Nick has allowed me to play 1 album per day. Normally we drive listening to audio books and podcasts.

Kms Travelled Today 255