MY WORLD ~ 44 On the Road Again

All photos enlarge for better viewing with more detail.

Two weeks ago we set off on a long haul to Sydney,
New South Wales. After many delays and tired before
we started, we were off at 5p.m. and made it rather
the worse for wear to this once grand hotel, the Victoria
Hotel at Ouyen in the almost never-never country.



The town was crammed to the rafters, not only had it
just had its centennary but also the grand Vanilla Slice
competition!!! We were lucky to secure the last available
bed...unfortunately only a double not a queen size.



We were on the first floor with 12'6" ceiling and this
Banksia Rose smiled at me through the fly-wire in the
morning. When I investigated the fire exit, I came face
to face with the head of this Palm tree lit up by the rising
sun. How often does one see a mature palm at this height?



Investigating in the other direction, the sun streamed in
through the door to the front verandah

the original iron lace cast perfect shadows across

its 12' width.



Breakfast called and the old Commercial Travellers' Room

converted as a breakfast parlour still boasted the holes for

the ink wells and pens in the divided desks, although now

there was an array of breakfast cereals and toasting

paraphenalia there. The 1950's wallpaper with its lurid gleaming

gold roses caught my eye. Do enlarge it for the stunning effect!

A glimpse into the residential lounge showed an

assortment of none too comfortable furnishings, not at

all like the leather armchairs we remembered from some
30 years before .

Heading downstairs was a lovely solid old wooden

staircase positively reeking of respectability.

Unfortunately I had no call to investigate the Ladies Room
and the once imposing room for business transactions had

now been turned into a restaurant and securely fastened

against inquisitive morning intruders.

The sataircase sweeping down to Reception and Lobby,

and from below, a couple of armchairs quaintly flanking

an old treadle sewing machine surmounted by an old
photo of the front of the hotel in the days of its glory.



The photo was rather faded and warped behind its glass
shield, but at least you can see the lovely old cars.

Here is the tiled front and Entrance as we left on our

next day's journey.

Grandeur always comes at a price but faded grandeur

often comes at half price, so we could not complain of

having the bathrooms in the hallway at $50 a double

room with continental breafast!

More adventures of our two weeks on the foad to follow....

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