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Published: October 9th 2010
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We had intended to leave Mansfield today but were easily persuaded to stay an extra day because the Footie Grand Final that ended in a draw last Saturday was being replayed. There was a great deal of excitement in the air and it was almost as though the first match hadn’t taken place at all. The game didn’t start until 2.30 so we had time in the morning to do a bit of sight seeing.
We drove further along the gravel road past the entrance to Julie’s house and continued for a few kilometers before we saw the sign for Mount Samaria National Park. We drove through a creek and began to climb on up, perhaps another 5kms, before we saw the sign for Back Creek Falls. It was a 3kms return walk to the falls. They were very “full” following the recent heavy rains although not as high as some of the other falls we have seen. The rock pools were inviting and the walk through the bush was lovely. On our way back down through the National Park we stopped at Rocky Point Lookout which was only a short walk but then we had to clamber up some
large boulders to get the view. It was nice to experience some of the great countryside around even though we only scratched the surface. We drove back into Mansfield to get some groceries and had more lovely pies for lunch in Mansfield pie shop.
We had been invited to Bernie and Doos’s house to watch the Footie Grand Final. We had seen bits of the previous week’s match but only because it had rained on the previous Saturday afternoon while we were at Emerald Beach! This time we were going to be much more involved and as Graham had become an honorary Collingwood supporter (because their nickname is ‘The Pies’ (short for Magpies - black and white shirts) and the number plate on the car is ‘PIE’) I felt I should support St Kilda. I hurriedly searched for something to wear with red on but the only thing I could find was a white cotton scarf with black and red dice so that would have to do. Bernie and Doos’s house is, again, on along the gravel road about 2 kms away. Simone and Beth were already there when we arrived as well as Bernie and Doos’ son, Jack,
with his girlfriend. We hadn’t quite realized the importance of this match to two of the people present - Simone and Bernie are avid Collingwood supporters and had dressed accordingly in black and white. Balloons and a sign had been hung up and Simone had a rattle ready. It would have been great to have been here last Saturday when the match was very close and ended in a draw - it must have been almost unbearable for Bernie and Simone. This time Collingwood won easily so as soon as it became clear that St Kilda couldn’t possibly catch up Bernie fished out gold outfits that she had been keeping for this very occasion for about 8 years. Ken had been at a birthday party but by now he was there and as another Magpie fan he dressed up and celebrated as well. The atmosphere was like soccer FA Cup Finals back home and it was great to be part of. Once the cup was presented we had a bit more time to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views from the garden - a more magnificent rural outlook you couldn’t imagine. Then Doos drove us up through one of his paddocks
to the highest point of his land, where it was even more special. What a great place to live! We had a minor problem on the way back down because Doos had left the gate open to the paddock. He leases it to a local farmer and some of the herd of young, frisky heifers had made a bid for freedom. Out of a herd of 50, about 12 of them had already passed through the gate and others were following quickly. However, with great cow hands like us around (actually more by luck than judgment) the cows were soon safely back in their field!!
We stayed for dinner and by the time we got back to Sweetie it was very late. Bernie and Doos are another great Aussie couple with a wonderful zest for life and with their kind hospitality and Bernie and Simone’s entertaining fanatical support for The Pies it had been a truly memorable day. We have been so lucky with the friendship, kindness and hospitality shown to us in Mansfield thanks, of course, to Sarah and Darryl making initial contact during their journeys around Aus.
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