Sunday, April 3, 2011

old fashioned birthday fun!


Yesterday I took Lucy and three friends to Sovereign Hill, an historical town in Ballarat. It's such a great place to visit, we all loved it! We got there early and spent the whole morning drifting in and out of all the amazing buildings and spaces.  First stop was the Photography Shop where the girls got to dress in old fashioned clothes and had their photo taken.



We were lucky as there were not many people visiting so we almost had the place to ourselves.


Of course we had to have a ride on the Cobb & Co coach, aren't the horses gorgeous?


There are plenty of other animals too. I noticed some sweet little hens, bantams I think, turkeys, more horses and this rather surreal looking goat.


The lolly shop was a big hit of course!


And so was the very cool bowling alley. 


I loved all the old signs..


the shops,


and the real life characters that walk up and down the main street. 


The girls really got into the spirit of it all and had fun in all the old buildings, and churches, being silly but also enjoying the history and magic.


Everywhere you look there are little touches of the gold field era.
So much work has been put in to make Sovereign Hill a replica 
of an 1850's town, including the schools. Billy & Lucy went to school camp here last year, dressed in the clothes of the day, played games that children played long ago and learnt about life in the gold rush. Pretty cool!


The girls took me to the candle making shop where they got to dip, 


and colour their own candles.


All in all it was a great & different way to celebrate Lucy's birthday.


 After all that walking around and fresh air it was soon time to head home for...yep, cake! 
Another birthday over and another one on the way,
Sunday turns 8 in a week or so.
More fun...of the sleep over kind!
Hope you are having a happy weekend,
see you soon xo

11 comments:

Tania said...

We loved this place when we visited a few years ago, spent two days and a night there in fact! We would go back again, as we dont have anything like that near us...Looks like it was nice weather for you which was a bonus.

Happy Birthday to Lucy!

Tania

Kate said...

I think that looks like the best idea for an eleven year old party. We might just have to do the same.
Happy birthday Lucy. X

Sue said...

I havent been to Soverign Hill for years now but I do remember when I was in Grade 6 and we had camp there and attended the school for the week which was very interesting and lots of fun dressing up in the old clothes. It still looks the same as when we visited a few years ago now but I dont remember the candle making. I think it is a great idea for a birthday party, and happy that she had a fantastic day out with you.

teddybearswednesday said...

what fabulous thing to do for a birthday!! Seeing this post takes me back to my childhood of visiting there!
looks like you made your girl the best day.
xo
PS would it surprise you to say I rather fancy Mr Surreal Goat?

blandina said...

I would like to have a birthday like this myself. And dress up....mmmmm, will I ever become an adult?

Claire said...

Hey Beck, sounds like a fun day was had by all.

Lovely pics, it's been many years since I visited Sovereign Hill. Never did manage to find any gold though, hehehe........

Happy Birthday to Lucy ;and best wishes for the coming year.

Have a great week,

Claire :)

GardenOfDaisies said...

Looks like you had a really wonderful day! Your daughter will remember this birthday for a long time!

SamanthaJade said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Lucy!

Glad you had a magical day. Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos with everyone.

from the team at Sovereign Hill.

hester said...

Sounds fantastic. This is on my list of places in Australia to take my girls to. (What can you expect when both parents are historians for a living?).

The girls look beautiful in their old style clothes.

Carla Linkous Maxwell said...

Thank you for writing about your "old fashioned birthday fun!" I haven't been there yet, but your story and pictures make me want to go!