A time for reflection.
Interesting thoughts.
Distance travelled. 50,147 kilometres
Pairs of flip flops/thongs. 4
Number of photographs. 3945
Number of campsites. 150
Visits to the cinema. 6
Favourite meal. Lunch at the Pearl Farm Broome
Best tourist trip. Horizontal Falls
Favourite towns. Armidale and Bendigo
Best coffee shop. Karumba. Far North Queensland
Favourite camp site. Munroe Station. WA
Worst thing. The wind
Best thing. No ironing
Place I would like to revisit Australia
Most annoying. Getting Ross River Virus
Most challenging. Walking Hancock Gorge. Karrinjini
Biggest disappointment. Not going to Cape York and Airlie beach
Overall impression. Totally awesome.
Favourite photo. I have to look through quite a few to decide, might take some time.
Thursday 7 March 2013
Sunday 3 March 2013
Eden
We wanted to stay in Eden as it finishes off the Sydney to Hobart saga. Eden is where yachts come into if they hit problems in the race. Lovely town and the wharf is a great place to have coffee.
It started to rain while we were having coffee so we moved on. By the time we got to Batemans Bay it was torrential rain and strong winds.
We decided to cut our losses and head home via Goulburn and not the Pacific Highway.
This was truly a very big mistake.
In Goulburn it is still torrential rain and strong winds but all accommodation was full, it was the 150th anniversary of the founding of the town.
Not to worry, head for Sydney. After the most horrendous drive we get to Hornsby and find that all the accommodation is full here as well. We sit in a garage for court and phone hotels, motels and camp sites from Sydney to Newcastle, as it was 10pm most had gone to bed or where full. Finally we found a hotel in Newcastle, 3 hours up the road. Arrived at 1 am in the morning. That bed was orgasmic.
The following day on the news, pictures of Sydney showed the devastation caused by the rain and winds, and we drove through it all. The Pacific Highway had been closed at Port Macquarie so we couldn't have used that road anyway.
Eden wharf
Misty Mountains. Road from Batemans bay to Golbourn
We find Sydney
We leave Sydney
It started to rain while we were having coffee so we moved on. By the time we got to Batemans Bay it was torrential rain and strong winds.
We decided to cut our losses and head home via Goulburn and not the Pacific Highway.
This was truly a very big mistake.
In Goulburn it is still torrential rain and strong winds but all accommodation was full, it was the 150th anniversary of the founding of the town.
Not to worry, head for Sydney. After the most horrendous drive we get to Hornsby and find that all the accommodation is full here as well. We sit in a garage for court and phone hotels, motels and camp sites from Sydney to Newcastle, as it was 10pm most had gone to bed or where full. Finally we found a hotel in Newcastle, 3 hours up the road. Arrived at 1 am in the morning. That bed was orgasmic.
The following day on the news, pictures of Sydney showed the devastation caused by the rain and winds, and we drove through it all. The Pacific Highway had been closed at Port Macquarie so we couldn't have used that road anyway.
Eden wharf
Misty Mountains. Road from Batemans bay to Golbourn
We find Sydney
We leave Sydney
Thursday 21 February 2013
The last long ride home
It is about 2500k from Melbourne to Hervey Bay. Our first impulse to race back but after due consideration we won't.
Our first night was in Rosevale, under the Freeway. Well it felt like that, we were actually on a lovely grassy site but very close to the road. There are a lot of very big trucks that use the A1, and all have air brakes.
Next stop we thought maybe it would be a good idea not to camp beside the A1, so took a quick detour down to Corringle Beach opposite Malo which is where the Snowy River pours into the sea. Very good choice, here we have the pounding surf to lull us to sleep. When we arrived lots of kayaks on the river beside the camp site, so off came the kayaks ready for tomorrow. Unfortunately the weather changed and it is raining, it does mean I can get on with the blog.
The beach at Corringle
Me standing in the Snowy River as it hits the sea
The river Avon, Stratford
Proof
Our first night was in Rosevale, under the Freeway. Well it felt like that, we were actually on a lovely grassy site but very close to the road. There are a lot of very big trucks that use the A1, and all have air brakes.
Next stop we thought maybe it would be a good idea not to camp beside the A1, so took a quick detour down to Corringle Beach opposite Malo which is where the Snowy River pours into the sea. Very good choice, here we have the pounding surf to lull us to sleep. When we arrived lots of kayaks on the river beside the camp site, so off came the kayaks ready for tomorrow. Unfortunately the weather changed and it is raining, it does mean I can get on with the blog.
The beach at Corringle
Me standing in the Snowy River as it hits the sea
The river Avon, Stratford
Proof
Last few days in Tasmania
After we left Snug it was a very quick trip up to Devenport.
We stopped at Triabunna for one night and on the road the following day we met about 400 cyclists from Victoria on a cycling holiday, on their way to Triabunna. Odd thing, they stopped at the same coffee shop as us so it was a bit of a crush to get served, we won.
Our last two nights before Devenport were at Narawntapu National Park opposite Port Sorrel. Lovely and peaceful on the estuary.
Last night in a cabin in Devenport, with a trip to the cinema to see Quartet, brilliant film but made me cry heaps.
Spiky bridge outside Triabunna
We got our coffee first, they were too busy on the phone
View from the tent Narawntapu
Ferry coming in the night before we left Tasmania
We stopped at Triabunna for one night and on the road the following day we met about 400 cyclists from Victoria on a cycling holiday, on their way to Triabunna. Odd thing, they stopped at the same coffee shop as us so it was a bit of a crush to get served, we won.
Our last two nights before Devenport were at Narawntapu National Park opposite Port Sorrel. Lovely and peaceful on the estuary.
Last night in a cabin in Devenport, with a trip to the cinema to see Quartet, brilliant film but made me cry heaps.
Spiky bridge outside Triabunna
We got our coffee first, they were too busy on the phone
View from the tent Narawntapu
Ferry coming in the night before we left Tasmania
Monday 11 February 2013
Wooden Boat Show. Day 2
It's was a serious day looking at wooden boats so we arranged to be there all day, and we needed it, so much to see.
1. This man worked all day cutting wooden fence rails from tree trunks, he worked the axe, adze and the splitting blocks all by himself and by the end of the day I think he must have done 3 trees.
To think that they used these tools to make wooded boats seems remarkable that the workmanship was so fine.
2. This boat was built by one man with recycled timbers, it's for sale. No, not to me.
3. Very skilled man, he did this for hours, just sculling about the harbour.
4. One of the tall ships taking enthusiasts out for a sail.
5. Green woodworking. We thought this meant working with green wood, wrong, it means working with hand/foot generated power. This is a foot lathe, made from wood.
6. Lovely, men's choir singing sea shanties.
1. This man worked all day cutting wooden fence rails from tree trunks, he worked the axe, adze and the splitting blocks all by himself and by the end of the day I think he must have done 3 trees.
To think that they used these tools to make wooded boats seems remarkable that the workmanship was so fine.
2. This boat was built by one man with recycled timbers, it's for sale. No, not to me.
3. Very skilled man, he did this for hours, just sculling about the harbour.
4. One of the tall ships taking enthusiasts out for a sail.
5. Green woodworking. We thought this meant working with green wood, wrong, it means working with hand/foot generated power. This is a foot lathe, made from wood.
6. Lovely, men's choir singing sea shanties.
Bruny Island
Spent the most wonderful day travelling around Bruny. Great weather, winds have gone and sun is shining.
Ferry leaving Kettering
Penguin Rookery on The Neck
Lighthouse at Cape Bruny
Cloudy Bay Lagoon
Cloudy Bay beach
Clements Top Mill site
Bruny Cape, Quiet Bay
Ferry leaving Kettering
Penguin Rookery on The Neck
Lighthouse at Cape Bruny
Cloudy Bay Lagoon
Cloudy Bay beach
Clements Top Mill site
Bruny Cape, Quiet Bay
Friday 8 February 2013
Wooden Boat Show, Hobart. Day 1
Watched the sail past today, just our luck that they decided to use the far side of the river, so we didn't get too good a picture of all the boats sailing. Will make up for that tomorrow when we go to see them in the harbour.
After boats we went up the mountain to have a look at boats form a distance. Long way up Mt Wellington but the view is worth it. A lot of smoke from bush fires made it a bit hazy but only in one direction.
Outside our tent this morning, campsite at Snug.
Sail past on the other side
This one came over to our side to tack.
Loved the rudder on this one
This poor man rowed up the course, I have no idea what time he must have got in, he had wind and tide against him
View from the top of Mt Wellington
After boats we went up the mountain to have a look at boats form a distance. Long way up Mt Wellington but the view is worth it. A lot of smoke from bush fires made it a bit hazy but only in one direction.
Outside our tent this morning, campsite at Snug.
Sail past on the other side
This one came over to our side to tack.
Loved the rudder on this one
This poor man rowed up the course, I have no idea what time he must have got in, he had wind and tide against him
View from the top of Mt Wellington
Week 61. Ulverstone and Bothwell, Tasmania
We made it to Tasmania, couldn't find anywhere to sleep in Devenport when we got off the ferry so went along to Ulverstone where we splurged on a cabin, warm, comfortable no wind, heaven.
Drove down the middle of Tasmania as we haven't been that way before, past the Great Lake and stopped in Bothwell. After going to Deloraine and Latrobe, great patchwork shop in Latrobe.
Bothwell is the home to several famous people we were told, one of them being a German who did low frequency radio radio telescope, Australia must be good for this so many of them.
As a bit of interest the optical telescope we saw in Siding Springs has been damaged by fire, not sure how bad.
Leaving Port Phillip Bay
RAAF monument Ulverstone
Patchwork Shop, Latrobe
Campsite Bothwell
Steppes Homestead, midland Tasmania.
Drove down the middle of Tasmania as we haven't been that way before, past the Great Lake and stopped in Bothwell. After going to Deloraine and Latrobe, great patchwork shop in Latrobe.
Bothwell is the home to several famous people we were told, one of them being a German who did low frequency radio radio telescope, Australia must be good for this so many of them.
As a bit of interest the optical telescope we saw in Siding Springs has been damaged by fire, not sure how bad.
Leaving Port Phillip Bay
RAAF monument Ulverstone
Patchwork Shop, Latrobe
Campsite Bothwell
Steppes Homestead, midland Tasmania.
Tuesday 5 February 2013
Week 60. Airys inlet
We had such a wonderful week at Airys, peace, quiet and a comfortable bed. Anne and Graham who I got to know in Fraisse Cabardes, house swapped with me and we got to stay in their lovely cottage in the bush at Airys Inlet.
A week of doing not a lot and enjoyed every second, so my thanks to Anne and Graham, your hospitality is second to none.
The garden after a refreshing shower
The lighthouse, Airys Inlet
The beach at Airys
The coffee shop at the lighthouse, yummy scones
Surfers at Bells Beach.
A week of doing not a lot and enjoyed every second, so my thanks to Anne and Graham, your hospitality is second to none.
The garden after a refreshing shower
The lighthouse, Airys Inlet
The beach at Airys
The coffee shop at the lighthouse, yummy scones
Surfers at Bells Beach.
Tuesday 29 January 2013
Tooradin
We were going to stay in Lorne for Australia Day but we forgot to book and when we arrived the place was full.
We took the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento and tried to find a place to stay on that coast, unfortunately they was completely full. Sooooooo it was up the coast and we finally found somewhere to stay in Tooradin, very small place but hospitable.
On Australia Day the locals laid on a sausage sizzle and film show which we thoroughly enjoyed. Went to the Fisherman's Cottage Museum, met a lovely couple from the historical society very informative about Torradin.
We took the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento and tried to find a place to stay on that coast, unfortunately they was completely full. Sooooooo it was up the coast and we finally found somewhere to stay in Tooradin, very small place but hospitable.
On Australia Day the locals laid on a sausage sizzle and film show which we thoroughly enjoyed. Went to the Fisherman's Cottage Museum, met a lovely couple from the historical society very informative about Torradin.
Friday 25 January 2013
Great Ocean Road Apollo Bay to Airys Inlet
Just some of the views along the road. All taken from the car as stopping in the middle of all the traffic seemed a bit suicidal. Will go back next week and take views from the viewing points. Like I should have done this week.
Wednesday 23 January 2013
Johanna and the hinterland
We had a day in the car, travelling through the forests and viewing waterfalls.
The Light house station at Cape Otway, we went to the lookout for the photo as the price to go into the station made us laugh. Lots of Koala in the trees driving to the station, nearly knocked over another tourist who thought the road was there for him to stand and take photos.
Hopetoun Falls. Very steep steps down to the falls, this photo was taken at the top, then I walked to the bottom for an very inferior photo, I know, nitwit.
The rainforest walking to Tripet Falls
Part of Tripet Falls
Marks left by early loggers, it's where the boards are wedged in so they can stand to chop the tree down. Big logging camp here. This is on the walk to Tripet Falls, Trev counted 302 steps up from the bottom of the falls, again I know, nitwit.
The Light house station at Cape Otway, we went to the lookout for the photo as the price to go into the station made us laugh. Lots of Koala in the trees driving to the station, nearly knocked over another tourist who thought the road was there for him to stand and take photos.
Hopetoun Falls. Very steep steps down to the falls, this photo was taken at the top, then I walked to the bottom for an very inferior photo, I know, nitwit.
The rainforest walking to Tripet Falls
Part of Tripet Falls
Marks left by early loggers, it's where the boards are wedged in so they can stand to chop the tree down. Big logging camp here. This is on the walk to Tripet Falls, Trev counted 302 steps up from the bottom of the falls, again I know, nitwit.
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