Castlemaine to Bendigo

The Goldfields Steam Engine

I was woken about 6:00 by thunder and rain but managed to get back to sleep for a while. It looks like raining all day. 

My accommodation last night was somewhat strange. It had a very comfortable bedroom, a very comfortable living room, a very spacious and lovely bathroom, albeit with a shower over a bath with very high sides, but no provision of face tissues or shampoo and conditioner which was interesting. And of course absolutely no cooking facilities but a electric jug and a toaster. And no separate sink in which to wash dishes but an instruction to leave them in a tub for the hostess to deal with. 

After considering my options, I decided on the Goldfield steam train from Castlemaine to Malden and back. First class. Thank you. 

En route to the station I passed the farmers market and thought it would be good to explore but not in the pouring rain so I went straight to the station.

As I boarded the train, I was amused by the piped music playing. It was Chattanooga Choo - Choo, very appropriate.


I boarded and explored the two first class carriages thinking that's I might travel in one on the way there and maybe in the other in the Ladies' compartment on the way back.


I was somewhat bemused by an announcement that we will be delayed 15 minutes as the diesel train has broken down on the line and another diesel engine needs to go and rescue it. I'm starting to wonder if there is a thing about me and trains.


Anyway, 35 minutes after I shut your departure we are on our way.


Last time I rode on a steam train it was out of Darjeeling and let's say it was a much more uncomfortable ride than this first class carriage.

We passed through the tiny station of Muckleford rather than stopping, as would normally be the situation, just in the interest of making up a little time.
Malvern Station
In Malvern
We stopped to turn around at Malvern and I took a quick walk into the town and admired some of the historic buildings. It's an interesting main Street with a lot of the shops retaining their original shop fronts which is lovely.

I had thought I'd like to travel in the ladies' compartment on the way back to Castlemaine. However, it seems to be occupied by a family and the doors are closed, so I chose one of the smaller non smoking sleeper compartments.



As I sat in the compartment admiring the view which was mainly thin forest, I also admired the fabulous work in the sleeping compartment;  the skilled labours of times gone by, the decorative wood work the beautiful leadlight in the ceilings.


So this compartment and the other compartments were originally sleepers. I had thought that from the labels on the little wardrobes, and the apparent fold-down nature of something overhead that no longer folds down. The conductor, who came to check my ticket, also informed me that the lovely brass arrangement in front of me is actually a fold down wash basin for those travelling in this sleeping compartment.

As we travelled along, I noted people beside the train line from time to time. Obviously train spotting.
Once back in Castlemaine I didn't linger, as I wanted to get through to Bendigo and visit the Chinese Joss House before it closed since it's only open on weekends. 


It was a fairly good run-through and I got to the Joss house in time to have a good look round. It is heritage listed more than 150 years old. Those using it practised Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, as well as ancestor worship, so there was a fairly eclectic mixture of gods and others being honoured in various sections.
The main altar

The Confucius Altar

The Chinese Goddess of compassion and mercy
Protector of mothers and children

The White Buddha

I then made my way to the Great Stupa and spent a little time there before going to find my accommodation for the night at the nearby Atisha Centre. 
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion

The stupa is stunning and I shall go back tomorrow to enjoy it again but also to explore the gardens. 

Kalachakra Mandala

The ceiling is a work in progress, with installation of the Kalachakra Mandala

The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace

The Jade Buddha is remarkable, the largest statue carved from gem quality jade in the world.  Priceless as well as incredibly sacred.

The 1000 armed Chenrezig

Guru Rimpoche

Prayer wheels

My accommodation for the night is a fairly basic room with twin single beds and carpet on the floor.  I chose an ensuite option. The ensuite is a bit sterile as it's disabled access but my room opens onto a balcony the view from which isn't particularly amazing. There is some bush and a dam and lots of frog calls.
 
The facility kitchen for guests is minuscule but I managed to cook my dinner therein and took it back to my room to eat.










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