This is..........

...............my favourite travel memory. It wasn't too difficult to remember this fabulous family holiday, it was our first cycling holiday just over 2 years ago. We took off on our bikes laden with all we would need for 5 days touring the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. Fantastic fun, 4 adults and 4 children who weren't terribly cycle fit and we did it and it still is the best family holiday we have ever had. It challenged all of us at times as we cycled in the wonderful crisp autumn air up and down the hills of north east Victoria. We stayed in many different types of accommodation in some very small towns and had fantastic nights at old pubs eating well and playing pool. Can't wait to do this trip again now the four adults have great new bikes to replace the old clunkers we took on this fateful first cycling holiday. Thanks Hila from Your Cover's Blown for reminding me that simple things are often the best.

Snapshot of Griffith last week

The citrus display in the main street is an amazing display by local businesses and some very creative people.

This little fellow just loved to snuggle up.

Dusty and hot!

Big kids, little kids and more kids.

Little Sis and the very cute little abandoned babe.

Mr's Trimboli's baking, the best!

Hardworking Italian immigrants have made Griffith what it is today, it is said that 60% of the population are of Italian descent.

Great Italian breads, nothing better. The first of 3 punctures, the dry weather certainly makes good thorns!

You might think this weird to visit the cemetery when holidaying but Griffith cemetery is very interesting, the pioneer section is a wealth of information but the kids were in awe of the memorials Italian families erect in memory of their loved ones and they are so beautifully cared for.
Mr Battaglia is 82 years old and has been cutting hair for over 50 years in his own shop, his son and grandson work alongside him these days. Surfer Boy has a very economical haircut!

This home with the emu and kangaroo from our countries coat of arms reminds me of the movie "The Castle", we all love our homes no matter how big or small.................ahhhhh the serenity!

Pack a puncture repair kit next time

All loaded, after a little heated discussion about the order required to fit 4 bikes on a bike rack. Note to all other cycling families, take photo of loaded rack. What adventures will this years trip bring? Mostly fun but a few trying moments with over-excited cousins. No blood lost or broken bones and not even the usual problem of the sore butt, thank goodness for the modern cycling nicks. We cycled for 4 days around our nations capital, Canberra, exploring most of our public buildings, Lake Burley Griffin foreshores, the zoo and many exhibitions all in the safety of the many linking cycle paths. It was a great time and we are planning our next ride already. Highly recommended family holiday.

Little Sis cutting a fine figure at the Captain Cook memorial in her cycling nicks.

Little Nephew taking an unplanned dip into the waters of Lake Burley Griffin and meeting the local wildlife all because he can be very annoying especially to his dad, aka "Mr Blobby".

Dear Husband had a few punctures this trip, try 3! He hadn't packed a puncture repair kit either................he's a scientist! Enough said!!

It's that time of year again

Here it is April again and we are only days away from our annual cycling holiday with my sister and her family. Last year we went to Victoria and rode from Beechworth to Bright and back over 5 days carrying all our gear and staying in pubs, cabins and even in the chapel of an old Catholic boarding school. We ate at many bakeries and had our evening meals in some beautiful old hotels where the kids could play pool and we could sit in front of blazing fires. We had so much fun on the road with the kids, we say often it was the best family holiday we have ever had so we are doing it again. This year we are heading off to the nations capital, Canberra for 5 days of exploring their cycleways and everything the city has to offer visitors. We are staying in two central cabins and venturing out each day. Bought a helmet for one of the kids today and an extra pair of cycling pants for me. You definitely don't want to get a sore bum when you are away on a cycling holiday! We are all getting very excited and I can't wait to see my sister.