i30 Owners Club

GENERAL STUFF => CLUB MEETINGS & MEMBERS TRIPS => Topic started by: rustynutz on September 27, 2013, 06:38:42

Title: Drive Around The Dandenongs...
Post by: rustynutz on September 27, 2013, 06:38:42

Last Wednesday Deb & myself decided to go for a bit of a drive up into "The Dandenongs" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandenong_Ranges).

Deb had seen an advert for the Tulip Festival (http://www.tulipfestival.com.au/) at Silvan so that was our first stop after making our way via Pakenham, Gembrook, Cockatoo, Emerald & Monbulk.

We were cheapskates so didn't actually go through the gates, instead made do with taking some photos from the carpark... :lol:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Tulip2_zps19e52801.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Tulip4_zpsae64d51b.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Tulip3_zps6f578b9b.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Tulip1_zpsf06c1e4d.jpg~original)

(click to show/hide)

Next we headed to Lillydale, hopeful of getting something for lunch but nothing rocked our boat so we headed back towards Mount Dandenong. We found a nice little cafe not far from Olinda which catered for Vegans. Next stop was Olinda where we checked out the local lolly shop...lol.

From there we backtracked to the William Ricketts Sanctuary (http://www.dandenongrangespoint.com.au/attractions/william-ricketts-sanctuary/).

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Ricketts8_zps7d2eeddc.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Ricketts5_zpse2610cb4.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Ricketts7_zps738f6ece.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Ricketts1_zpsa4b50013.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Ricketts3_zps640a248c.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Ricketts4_zps805514d7.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Ricketts6_zps3fe0728d.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Ricketts2_zpsc516c0e8.jpg~original)


From there it was back to Olinda and the National Rhododendron Gardens...


(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Rhododendrons1_zpse2215036.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Rhododendrons5_zpsc34a5c9e.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Rhododendrons3_zps73184af5.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Rhododendrons4_zpsc0cf65c1.jpg~original)

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/rustynutz69/Rhododendrons2_zps01bf0b3d.jpg~original)

By now it was late afternoon....Our final stop before heading home was to check out what all the kerfuffle has been over the planned building of a MacDonalds (http://www.burgeroff.org/) at Tecoma.

While I'm not a huge fan of Maccas, I really can't see what the issue is, the shopping area where they are wanting to put Maccas is just like any other small shopping strip, certainly nothing like the main tourist towns such as Olinda....  :undecided:

Anyhow, I guess it will be sorted eventually in Court....  :(

After grabbing a Pizza for dinner we headed towards home, having had quite a busy and enjoyable afternoon...

Title: Re: Drive Around The Dandenongs...
Post by: Surferdude on September 27, 2013, 07:26:20

The tulips remind me of the Canberra Floriade.  :goodjob2:

Title: Re: Drive Around The Dandenongs...
Post by: beerman on September 27, 2013, 12:01:42

Where is Tiny Tim when you need him  :mrgreen:

On the McDonald's thing. They have had fair warning. Let them build it and go broke. If the towns people are right and it isn't wanted. It won't last long.

Title: Re: Drive Around The Dandenongs...
Post by: Dazzler on September 27, 2013, 12:48:40

Thanks Rusty, That sanctuary is very picturesque  :goodjob:

Title: Re: Drive Around The Dandenongs...
Post by: Surferdude on September 27, 2013, 13:02:05

Quote from: beerman on September 27, 2013, 12:01:42

Where is Tiny Tim when you need him  :mrgreen:

On the McDonald's thing. They have had fair warning. Let them build it and go broke. If the towns people are right and it isn't wanted. It won't last long.

History says they won't though (go broke). I've seen other cases where this has happened, not just with McDonalds - and once the place is open, all except a few seem to forget all their prejudices and join th epatronage.
A classic case in point is the Woolworths supermarket in Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Maleny is alternative lifestyle central  The WW proposal was the subject of massive protests, court challenges etc but eventually got the go ahead.
Now, a few years down the track, you're flat out getting in the car park.
There is an IGA in town and their prices are horrendous. Most IGAs are pretty competitive, but not this one.

Title: Re: Drive Around The Dandenongs...
Post by: Dazzler on September 28, 2013, 00:00:40

 :whsaid:

McDonalds are a licence to print money and the big Supermarkets amaze me how busy they are even early in the morning and late at night!

Title: Re: Drive Around The Dandenongs...
Post by: Ugly Mongrel on September 28, 2013, 13:02:13

Quote from: Dazzler on September 28, 2013, 00:00:40

:whsaid:

McDonalds are a licence to print money and the big Supermarkets amaze me how busy they are even early in the morning and late at night!

Dazz, does Trish let you out early in the morning and late at night? :happydance:

Title: Re: Drive Around The Dandenongs...
Post by: Dazzler on September 28, 2013, 22:25:28

Quote from: Ugly Mongrel on September 28, 2013, 13:02:13

Quote from: Dazzler on September 28, 2013, 00:00:40

:whsaid:

McDonalds are a licence to print money and the big Supermarkets amaze me how busy they are even early in the morning and late at night!

Dazz, does Trish let you out early in the morning and late at night? :happydance:

Yes, Terry I get free rain (rein) but getting more of the former at the moment  :Pout: