Fun at ArtVo

Daydreaming of a day off reading, writing - maybe with a glass of red in hand?  Reality is, I'm just not a sit still kind of girl. So this broken ankle - well and truly over it.

Not going to let this stop me from doing everything, so last Thursday afternoon, my partner in crimes against common sense and I hobbled over to ArtVo in Docklands. ArtVo is an "immersive gallery" of different themed rooms where posing and taking selfies is all part of the fun and very much encouraged.  Actually, having someone with you to take the photos is probably best. But if you're selfie obsessed, (or have no friends) go for it.

Now some of the "props" require a bit of flexibility and I'm not sure if we laughed harder at the photos or our attempts at getting onto the floor and up again whilst maintaining some shred of dignity. Luckily, for the most part, we were the only ones in there, so our nanna knickers remain our little secret.

Halfway thorugh, a lovely staff member came and asked us if we would like her to take a couple of photos of us together.  After seeing us in action and realising that at the rate we were going we would be there all night, she tagged along and took all our photos for us. Which was certainly a good thing because some of the "trick" shots were a little beyond us.

Like a pair of graceful gazelles we placed ourselves delicately into the surrounding scenery. Blending beautifully and fitting into each scene as if it had been personally painted for us.  All with not a VPL in site. 

I've since found out there is an app you can follow with instructions and there are TV screens showing what to do and where to stand.  But we had just as much fun making it up as we went along. 

The place is much larger than expected and we probably needed a little extra time.  Being fully abled might have helped also. But heaps of fun and good to get out, do an activity and get a tick off the list!

Opening hours and ticket prices here.  Kids would love it too - big and small.

Lola the Explorer goes to Lake Eildon

I love mini-breaks.  We went to a place called Frogsong and there were 2 other doggy's there.  Now I'm not really a doggy dog (other dogs can't scratch my belly and they try and sniff my butt all the time), but they were both OK.  Lots of good smells (no frogs, but plenty of rabbits and kangaroo poo) and I wandered around exploring.  Our cottage was nice.  I visited the other cottages - just to check out what they were like.  So what else did I do:

• Went down to the big lake. 
• We visited a big campground and there were people living in canvas houses and lots of other dogs around, so I peed on one tent - kinda like "Lola was here". 
• I got to drive the new car - good thing too, cos I think we were lost!
• Had a shower because I had poo stuck to my butt and dragged it on the floor - oops
• Checked out the depth of the mud when the car got stuck (not my fault)
• Ate chicken, sausages and bacon - excellent! I even shared my treats and sausages with Dio.

That's it from me (my mum has it covered). Back to the couch for a snooze.

Love and Licks Lola
xxxxxxxxxxxx

This was my neighbour - she was super friendly

Just call me Alonso

Confession time - I peed on the tent

A trip to Lake Eildon

Labour Day long weekend and we decided to make use of the accommodation I'd booked last year when we were supposed to go to Eildon for a fishing comp and somehow booked a place that was the other side of Lake Eildon and 100km away.  Who knew that Lake Eildon was so big?

Off we went, relegated to the back seat with Lola so I could prop the ankle up.  Stopped in Mansfield for lunch and wow what a busy place.  Lots of cowboys around due to a local rodeo.  Short stroll, but managed a visit to Country Target. 

Frogsong Cottages in Mountain Bay are around 20km from Mansfield.  Found the place OK and the place was cute, although only a ceiling fan so a bit warm.  There are four units and our neighbours had a lovely dog named Dio so Lola had company.  Drive around and a couple of stops along Lake Eildon in Gough's Bay.  Another busy place - the lake, the town itself is tiny.  Fishing was out so whilst I went back to the cottage, Emi and Aitana headed off to try their luck.   

Lola and Dio

Now if ever I wanted to check out "Freedom" camping, this was the place to do it.  Along dirt and gravel roads (dream come true for Emi, the new car performed admirably and was covered in dust), there were camp spots and heaps of tents and vans of all sorts and shapes.  Some great set ups and how they get some of them down by the water, beats me.  My addiction to Big Lap Facebook pages has stepped up.  Can't wait to hit the road! Although how I would keep the dust out is something to be investigated.

Somewhat restricted in activities, so bubbles and books for me. BBQ's for dinner, naps and even managed a couple of movies.  No TV or phone reception, so certainly relaxing. Lola enjoyed wandering around and made herself at home over at the neighbours units as well.  Bit worried about snakes, but all good - no mishaps.



That's as close to Lake Eildon as I got

Well one slight mishap.  Heading home we decided to stop off at the lake around Bonnie Doon.  Oh look, mud. Oh look we're stuck.  Luckily, another group of lake campers were on hand to pull us out.  One very dirty and muddy Colorado.  Lola not to be outdone, also decided to explore the mud. Once all out of the mud, we headed off, stopping in Yea (Yay!) for a coffee.


The hole in the mud

Lola checking out the mud

Final stop - Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory.  Wow, never been and couldn't believe the number of cars. The place was jam packed.  Always wanted to visit - so a bonus.  Gorgeous views, free samples, huge servings of gourmet ice-creams and the chocolate. Chocolate heaven. Winning. Even got Emi some sugar-free chocolate Easter bunnies

- just to counteract the double scoop ice cream.


The Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory