Thursday, October 24th, 2013
After breakfast Gail took Tina and I to the Wool Museum in downtown Geelong. Geelong was the centre of wool processing and textile production as early 1865 and had a wool carpet factory established in 1960. The museum has a very comprehensive collection of sheep that demonstrate the various kinds of wool and an entire two floors of wool-related artefacts and displays. Merino wool is now the most popular fibre, which wasn't at all surprising to me. The fact that these wrinkly animals were more difficult to shear than other breeds caused an uprising and higher wage demands from the shearers at one time. Australian merino stud breeders have now developed larger, more productive flocks. We were also able to see a 1910 jacquard carpet loom in operation while the operator explained how it worked - pretty amazing for me!
The morning passed by too quickly in the museum. Gail whisked us back home for lunch and then to the train station where we said our good-byes. We had a one hour ride to Melbourne where Susan met us.
"Is that all you have?" was her question before she took our picture. Yes, we are doing very well traveling light - so far - with only a small bag and a packsack each.
Susan guided us to one more train for another journey - one hour to Sunbury where she lives. We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening getting reacquainted enjoying a good visit, dinner and a cozy bed in her beautiful home.
Hi Sandy, you definitely will have to give us lessons on how to pack - I agree with Susan - is that all you have? - great job - I need that much luggage to go to Victoria for a couple of nights..
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