Kinda like Enlighten which we experienced when we visited Canberra, but just on for one night.
It was the first time it had ever been held in Bendigo, it was in Ballarat last year and in Melbourne earlier this year, plus other places I am sure. The hype was amazing. So we thought we should go, just to see for ourselves.
Some of the displays were pretty cool, others not so much. There were food trucks and lots of restaurants and bars stayed open for the event which ran until 2am. There were a couple of stages with bands and something happening on a tram, but they were all competing with each other and the combo wasn't great. We just went for a look, no food.
I think the best display was on the newly refurbished Soldiers Memorial Institute, and next best probably the old GPO building. You decide what you think.
We had to go out for a bit yesterday because the estate agent has suddenly decided to market our rental home for sale a little more aggressively than they have over the past months.
Since it was a nice morning, I went for a walk around the lake and then home. It is always so busy there, dog walkers, runners, walkers, families, friends. Great to see the community out enjoying the outdoors.
I took some photos of the birds. So many swallows flitting about but all congregating in the one place. No turtles on that circuit and I didn't see the swans with their growing cygnets. The galahs and rosellas were way too fast for my reflexes, but I did spot one pelican having a great feed out in the middle. First time I have seen one there, but apparently they are regular visitors.
I have been doing lots of walking since we got here. Having no car makes walking a necessity, and Bendigo is very walkable. It is a great way to get your bearings as well.
There is this
The most casually posed sculpture of a King I ever saw
The Shamrock Hotel, where Prince Charles and Princess Diana stayed on their first visit to Australia - who knew ? I think I read somewhere that Prince Philip stayed there as well on a trip he made.
The quirky benches on King and Queens Streets
The Yarn-Bombed Tram that travels the city through winter, but is now unadorned.
So, spring has sprung and many photos have been taken on days when I have wandered into town to the shops, or to the library to print stuff.
I haven't tired yet of all the old buildings. A taxi driver told me they have pulled a lot down - but there are still enough for me ! Ghost signs on the sides of some speak of days gone by, others stand in all their glory, protected from the demolition people by their heritage listing.
Then there is the lake just down the road, with a great cafe and an easy stroll around the edges with lots of wildlife to see.
Then today, we got a rental car since it is a long weekend for Lauren and we are going exploring. This afternoon we found the Botanic Gardens.
what will tomorrow bring ?
