Marine adventures at Flagstaff Hill

(Only one day behind now!)

Today we left Peterborough bound for Yambuk Lake, about two hours away.

First stop was the Allensford Cheese Factory where we tasted different cheeses and wandered around the free cheese museum. Then off to Warnambol and Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. Much like Sovereign Hill, this village promised to give an insight into life in a fishing village. The buildings and boats certainly delivered, but it was lacking the connection provided by the actors at Sovereign Hill. Unfortunately, buildings don’t engage kids as much as people.

What WAS exciting here was the artefacts found on the Loch Ard... the ship’s bell, Dr Carmichael’s watch and the most extraordinary 7ft high peacock sculpture which, amazingly, survived the wreck.

The highlight of our visit to the Maritime Centre was a craft activity where we each made a felt sailor’s pouch...

On to Yambuk Lake where we met Margaret and Trevor Pye, the caretakers. They welcomed us with stories of possible relatives, then set us up on a grassy slope, leaning in the right direction so we would roll into, and not out of, bed. Our lovely site overlooked the lake.

Set up, dinner downed, and we were back in the car on the way to Warmambol again for the Loch Ard light show at the maritime centre. What an extraordinary entertainment this was, with film projected onto sprayed water over the lake, telling the story of the wreck and survivors Eva and Tom.

It was about 11pm before we snuggled in bed after a very full day.