U3A 3 day holiday April 2014

Whittlesea U3A Coach Tour of North East Victoria

WU3A Coach trip
Avenel Morning Tea Whittlesea U3A

On a typical autumn morning in Melbourne forty seven Whittlesea U3A members huddled together to catch the coach for a three day trip.

At the start of this three day adventure many members did not know other U3A members except Richard and Pam but soon were laughing and chatting and enjoying everybody’s company.

Over the dividing range and the weather was already changing and so was the noise in the coach, laughter and smiling whilst we unwrapped our lucky number prize and chewed on the chocolate to give us energy.

Our first stop was morning tea at Avenel and off we went again to enjoy a couple of hours in Wangaratta, shopping, eating and site-seeing.

WU3A at Corowa
U3A at Corowa Motel

 

Then off to Corowa where we were to spend the next couple of nights. Our motel was 5 star and we just had time to have a cuppa and off we went again, this time to Mulwala Services Club for our evening meal. Some had time to spend a couple of dollars on the pokies whilst others continued chatting and getting to know one another.

WU3A at Yarrawonga
Whittlesea U3A new friends

Home to sleep to be ready for our 8.15am start the next morning.  A few decided that the cold evening would not deter them from having happy hour even though it started well after 9.00 pm.

Next morning we continued to travel this time to Beechworth for a quick look at this lovely historical town and then onto our morning tea at the Red Stag Deer and Emu farm.  What a delight our hostess was and her ability to keep us all quiet and listening to her inspiring story of the accomplishments of a family who left Europe with only two suitcases, one with a hat in it and the other empty.  How they grew the business to the fascinating farm it is today. We admired the emu, goats, deer and chickens but of course one of the highlights of this stop was the scones, jam and cream.

Off to Bright and by this time the weather was magnificent, they scenery was awesome and everyone is sure that Bright in autumn is one of the top tourist spots in Victoria. Lunch, shopping and chatting then back again to Corowa for a short stop then our meal at the Golf Club helped us sit back and relax with great company or spend a dollar on the pokies.

A typical autumn evening, clear skies and cool, and when we were getting off the bus Pam invited all to have happy hour in the Gazebo.  Many who ventured out realised it was too cold so one of the rooms were crammed into and more laughter and good company were shared.

WU3A Lake Mulwala
Whittlesea U3A Lake Mulwala

Our last morning and all were ready bright and early to look forward to what the day held in store. Yarrawonga was our next stop and we walked around, morning tea for some whilst others shopped.  This quickly ended and off again for lunch at the Ski Club in Mulwala. The sun was shining; the deck overlooking the lake beckoned us and we watched whilst the pelicans, boats and tourists whilst we enjoyed the scenery.

Lunch and we had to be pried away from this great spot to continue on our way home. Another surprise was in store for us when we stopped and admired the collection of Maurie Brodie at the Rockery Gemstone Museum in Longwood.  Maurie had an amazing collection to admire or purchase and members also admired his immaculate Holden.

 

Photos and homewards we travelled, watching DVD’s but still smiling and chatting. We arrived back in Epping with memories that will last for a long time.

Whittlesea on the way home
U3A Homewards

Thank you Richard and Pam for organising this great holiday with the many surprises and thoughtful things to do, it was appreciated by all.