Somewhere to Rochester – The Red Bridge and spilt milk

Day 11 Wednesday 27/11/2024 Rochester, 17 – 28 with 15mm of rain, wet and humid

We had another hot night. It began raining in the wee hours and once again I’m up in a flash closing the roof hatches. With his hearing aids out, Woody is oblivious.

During a break in the weather, we take a bush walk along the river to the Red Bridge, a long 17 arch brick rail bridge on the Echuca line. Woody is not the only one in our group with doubtful hearing. As we set off on our walk, and thinking of a photo opportunity, I say “It’d be good to see a train”. “Oh!” says Mrs. Doubtfire, “I’ve got the washing out!” We just make it back before another downpour, the washing is saved, and no, we didn’t see a train.

The process is repeated in the afternoon wandering the streets and visiting St Joseph’s church, the Oppy statue and the many murals that are past winners from the annual mural competition.

Happy hour is on the deck this time as the rain thumps down, thunder booms, and the sun comes out raising the humidity again. Dinner is a fridge clean out on the BBQ.

We can be thankful that we managed a few walks in between showers

Accom: $40.15

Of the many this is my favourite mural, and it exemplifies how everyone felt when Rochester lost its milk factory a few years back:

Steve Monk
First Prize 2020

“THE PAST AND PRESENT CONTEMPLATING THE FUTURE OF SPILT MILK”

“Elizabeth Street beholds an eerie site. A complex of Sci-Fi proportions. Giant tanks and chrome pipes spread around pale yellow buildings. This place, once the hub of the town, now sits abandoned. Past workers with community members, ponder; along with unemployed cows, about their future.” https://www.rochestermuralfest.com.au/2020-murals