The Hume Highway is far too familiar now. After Jetstar cancelled our Easter school holiday flights to Japan (the country has not yet reopened to tourists) we eventually chose just to drive south.
For the third time this year, under grey showery skies, I drive the Mazda 6 down along the M5 and on to the Hume Motorway. Traffic isn't too bad, but I welcome the emptier roads after most turn off down the Federal Highway.
We break our journey at Jugiong, the quiet little town by the Murrumbidgee. Lunch is some very nice toasted sandwiches at the Long Pantry.
We don't stop again until we reach the day's terminus of Albury. Despite a fresh lick of pain and some new furniture, the Commodore Motel is disappointing, little like its Mount Gambier namesake. The one saving grace is its proximity to the main street of the town.
I rather like Albury. B spent a year at university here and I was a frequent visitor. Much has changed since then, but the main street retains its heritage buildings and a rather interesting selection of shops and eateries.
The Myer department store is celebrating forty years in Albury. I have an unreasonable fondness for Myer and take pleasure in buying Alex a Lego set from the toy section, which has a number of amazing local Lego constructions on display.
Then we walk along Dean Street, the main drag, ducking in to buy card games from a couple of quirky toy and game shops. There will be a need to amuse ourselves at night on this holiday.
The range and reputation of restaurants is impressive, but we end up just crossing the road to Graze Burgers for dinner. Actually really good, not greasy at all.
Our outing is completed by a visit to Kmart. The various quirky stores we have passed through have given me a desire to construct something myself on this trip. I don't know what, but I know I'll need materials.
Hearing noisy engines and screeching guests, plus an insipid shower, makes me wish that we had booked somewhere nicer for our brief stay here. I'm really tired, not just from the drive but from the past months and years and I feel like a break.
Hopefully when we reach the coast that is what I will get.
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