8 October 2015 A Holiday in Dunkeld

Having had to cancel our holiday to Dunkeld several months ago, Brian and I decided the time was right for having another attempt at a stay at the wheelchair-accessible holiday house called Sturgeon View Holiday house. So Monday morning saw us head off in very warm and breezy weather, and discover a slightly dated but wonderfully convenient house waiting for us in Dunkeld. 

It was a very relaxing spot to be and we stayed for 3 nights.

One of the best features for me was the layout of the kitchen - with the low benches I could wash dishes, cook at the stove and altogether just manage the food with great ease, especially as I could wheel under the benches as well. The toilet/shower was very convenient too, and had been well-thought-out. There were no steps anywhere in the whole house, so it was very easy to move around, and in and out of the house.     Despite being a bit low for Brian, it still worked ok for him too.

 

We went for drives, and took this photo (from Mt William) of one of the approx 15 landslides that took place early in 2011 when floods flowed down from Queensland and severely affected this area (including Horsham, when Mum had to be evacuated from Trinity Manor when the Wimmera River flooded).

Naturally there were drives into the bush - but because it has been such a dry year, the orchids were in short supply and difficult to find.

That doesn't mean Brian didn't find any though...

In the lovely warm weather, it was necessary at one stage to enjoy a licorice ice-cream at Halls Gap!

I had a look at the Halls Gap Zoo - trying my best to stay on level ground whilst focusing on the variety of animals that are housed there.

I think the fallow deer were somewhat confused to see me in a wheelchair - they are usually very cheeky  and not exactly backwards when it comes to taking food from any bag held by an unsuspecting visitor. Me? They just looked at me, and didn't come near unless I tossed some pellets straight at them!

So all in all we had a lovely time in Dunkeld and the wider Grampians.
We arrived home on Thursday afternoon -  feeling quite exhausted!
Nevertheless, we are grateful for the chance to have a change of scenery like this, and perhaps we'll do it all again one day - but take it a bit easier next time!