11th October 2019
We left home at 5:30am to get through the city easily again!
First stop one of my favourite country towns Kyneton, not much open luckily for Peter. Coffee and pastry from the Griss Bakery. A quick window shop as it was freezing, before heading off back on the road.
As my fomo kicks in and I’ve watched the backroads episode on Victoria’s best vanilla slice, we pop into this year’s winner The Bridgewater Bakery for a couple of the winning slices.
Back on the road and a surprise silo in Nullawil was the first of many for the weekend.
Next, stop SeaLake for another Silo in the works as we met the two artists at work. They stopped to check out their work and have a quick chat with us.
The guys told us they had to prove to the community before painting on these Silos, so they did a couple of murals up the Main Street of Sea Lake. Also the world of street art on Silos is becoming a cut throat industry which is a bit sad.
Off up to the township of Sea lake for a loo stop and a quick look at the murals the boys did before work on the big project.
Back on the backroad you Managatang we where held up by a few naughty sheep trying to escape! Giving the farmer much grief.
We arrived at Manangatang around lunch time, to the race course. Due to us arriving first we had the job of picking the site for four caravans, one tent and one camper van. It was on the 17th fairway a big dust bowl. We picked a spot near one other van, people where not there so we thought it must of been ok. But by the time they got back our group had arrived and set up, the other campers came back not to happy with us. A few hours later the lady Julie came over to make peace, which was so much better!
The boys had to check out the local pub for a few frothies. Then it was Jody, Cheryl and my turn to check out the town and have a drink in the pub. The funny moment although there was a few, the barmaid gave us some complementary Savaloys, classic Cheryl alas Kath was very happy!
Back to camp by the fire many drinks and stories to be had night number one! While everyone arrived couple by couple- Colin and Cheryl, Jody and Dave, Jamie and Bec- the life of the party, their friends Karen and Dave, Donna and Paul set for a good time in Manang! 2019
Saturday 12th October
Sleep in for the big day, a big cooked bbq breakfast then a walk to check out the other campers with Peter and Col.
Of course a beer at the pub before the races. People watching as everyone arrives in town. A couple of footy teams congregating at the pub, and girls in the carpark opposite preparing their hair and makeup for all at the pub to see!
Walked back to the campsite, to frock up for the races! Then off to our adventure at the Managatang Races, via the bush track. Our table was just near the gate as we organized a tad late. Peter and I took off for a look around the course, had our photo taken at the racing booth and met a few of the punters. Back to the table for a fun afternoon with the crew, with a few sweeps at the table.
Bec and Jamie entered the fashions on the field which entertained us, unfortunately, no luck in the competition. Cheryl, Jody and I found the netball club rooms with a lovely lady hosting an afternoon tea of homemade sandwiches and cakes, ah the country bakers know a thing or two about sponge making! The last race was at five so after that we hiked back via our bush track to camp for a few more glasses of bubbles. Lit the fire sat around for a while till the music coming from the race track shed got too much for us, so off we went over for a bit of a boogie, with Peter, Donna, Jody and I. It actually felt like John Farnham was in the house at one stage with The Voice being sung by the band and the whole shed singing word for word. Lots of Fun! Back to the camp and everyone was in bed, so a couple more drinks by the fire and alot of rambling on before we went to bed!
Sunday 13th of October
All packed up by ten and on the road with Cheryl, Colin, Peter and I on our way to Patchewollock first stop for the first Silo of the day.
2nd Stop along the track for the next Silo was Lascelles, where we had lunch at the local pub. We met a really nice couple from Horsham that were sheep farmers, so a lot of laughs with them.
3rd Stop was Rosebery Silo representing the old and the new farmers.
4th Stop was Brim
5th Stop was Sheep Hills representing the local Elders of the Aboriginal people. My quote to Colin was we will probably never have a need to come to Sheep Hills again! Not much happening in this town.
6th Stop was the last Silo for this Trail was at Rupanyup, this Silo depicting two young sports stars of the town.
By this time we started looking for a place to camp the night, which I found on wikicamps, at Lake Lonsdale looking out across the lake towards the Grampians. We set up the campfire and enjoyed our last happy hour for the weekend with a stroll beside the lake. Dinner in the Van as we had a little rain, few more drinks and off to sleep in the bush.
Monday 14th of October
The drive back home we left by nine, said our goodbyes to Cheryl and Colin in Stawell. Peter and I stopped off at Beafort for a late breakfast and a little walk around the town before we sat back in the car for another three hours drive. Back home and now for the big clean up as the Managatang Camp site was a big dust bowl!
The end of another fun adventure with great friends and a fun experience at the Managatang Races 2019!
