4 seasons in 4 days - Gipsland

12 November
Up at 7, make the most out of today I started with a run to St Kilda followed by a swim and a run back, which was pretty awesome, but hard work. Shower, breakfast and packed up right on 10am, which was good because the natzi owner/manager or whoever she is was in the door just as I grabbed the last of my gear. Then she tried to tell me I mightn’t get my $10 key deposit back because the room was a pillow short (I had taken my own) until she was corrected by the other staff member (who is actually nice and knows what’s going on) and as I was leaving said ‘Hope you’ve enjoyed your stay’. Crazy. Packed up a postpack box of stuff to send back to mum and dads, complete with birthday pressie for that darling brother of mine, and walked it down to the post office. Then I decided I should fix up my bike, so walked that down to the bike shop and did some vegie shopping while they fixed it and was all done and dusted ready to hit the road by 12noon. Ate a fruit plate for lunch and then I was off... well as fast as you can go down Chapel St in the middle of the day anyway. Stopped in Warragul for fuel and had a look through the camping store while I was there. Made it all the way without stopping to Lakes Entrance, where the view again was spectacular. Found the caravan park (and scored a cheap rate) and set up before heading for a walk. The sign at the beach said 4.6km return track, allow 2 hours. Pftt! New challenge! Nice walk through the bush, knowing I couldn’t get lost (lake on one side, ocean on the other, entrance up ahead, pretty safe. Got to the entrance in 35 minutes, including stops for photos – too easy! Walked back along the beach, experimenting with my camera before heading back to George for dinner... except for the second time this trip I had run out of gas! Over to the camp kitchen to cook the chicken snitzel before finding Spicks and Specks on tv, and then Life, so not all bad! Jumped on the net, and ended up shutting down the computer about midnight.

13th November
Morning already? The early morning ride was not so appealing when the alarm went off at 8am, so I reset it for 9 and dozed... I’m allowed to, I am on holidays! Up by about 8.30 anyway, breakfast and then the job of getting ready for a ride, so it was about 10.15am by the time I was on the road... with no speedo (probably a good thing so I didn’t know how slow I was going!). Got back just after 11am – red as a beetroot! “It’s too hot to be riding” said one of the other campers and he was right! Down to the beach for a swim as the pool was closed, so I changed bathers and walked down to the beach. The weather was heating up, but the water was bloody freezing! With the waves dumping right on the shore I moved down a bit to give myself half a chance of diving in. Holey Crap!!! In, wet, out. Back on the beach to defrost for a minute (or ten) before heading back... after dunking my feet back in the water, and still had to run up the sand because it was so hot. Walked back for a cold shower (which was still warmer than the ocean) and time for lunch and to sort out some photos. Too hot to do anything I had a bit of a nap, before deciding a Frosty Fruit was what I was looking for. Went out for a walk, after changing out of my dress and into shorts and a singlet (the tan err sun marks on my back were a bit redder and a weirder pattern than what I’d been hoping for!). Found a couple of shops with things I needed (yes, more shopping) but no frosty fruits! Down to Safeway (which was nice and cool) so I shopped for a bit and bought an electric fan. More deli’s and no frosty fruits! So I went back and sufficed with a frozen lemonade, mixed with some Canadian Club. Time to cook up some vegies, so over to the camp kitchen (about three loads to get it all there) for chicken stir-fry. Flicked on the TV for This is Your Life, a tribute to Adam Gilchrist. Back to George (still 30 degrees) to get some order in the van... spring cleaning! About 11.30 I went for a shower (the third of the day) and then finished my internet time to be lights out at 12.30am.

14th November
6.30 alarm, and was surprisingly alert and awake. Time to finish organising George and pack up. All done by 8.45 – nice! Over to Mitre 10 to fill the gas bottle - $11, much better than Bathurst! Then to the Rec Centre for a Pump class and swim... yes I will get fit if it kills me (and this may well kill me!). Hit up the back, had light weights, no problem! In for a swim to try and loosen up before heading back to the caravan park to return the rec centre pass. Headed for Buchan Caves, via Nowa Nowa and the historic trestle bridge in the Colquhoun Forest, and the very friendly parrot. Onto Buchan and a tour through the Fairy Cave... after buying my own little fairy to keep. The tour guide really knew her stuff, was very informative and the cave was beautiful. Lots of shimmering calcite pools and some ‘breathtaking displays of stalactites and stalagmites’ quote unquote. Decided on a walk to the supposed falls, only to find the drought had completely destroyed them, with no water at all. But a good 3km nature walk none the less, with kangaroos and lire birds my only company. Next stop was Bairnsdale, but the caravan park didn’t have a tv (which would not do for tonight... there was cricket on tv!) so I drove back to find the other one, and decided to head to Paynesville for a look instead – good move! Not only was there a top tourist park, but I was able to check out the ferry to Raymond Island, and decided that would be the plan tomorrow. Arrived and felt like a cuppa... o oh, breakfast dishes are still on the sink at Lakes Entrance! Bugger! That’ll teach me for trying to be efficient! Sat for a while adding some music to my ipod before I thought I should check out the tv room to see if the cricket was on... and got the first ball. Right! Carted my laptop back to the tv room and set up for the night. All stars playing Australia Twenty 20. All Stars with Gilly as captain won the toss, and set a fabulous 203 target for the Aussie boys. Grabbed some dinner in between innings (gotta love leftovers) and settled in for the run chase, but the team of retirees and up n comers was far too good, bowling the Aussie’s out with about 70 runs to get, and one of the best catches in the outfield you will ever see! Flicked channels until I headed to bed, about 12.

15 November
Alarm at 7am, and not quite as bubbly as yesterday morning. The plan was to get up and go for a ride early around Raymond Island and be back for a shower and gone by 10am. Nope, new plan! Dozed until I kicked myself out (you know, where you have those conversations with yourself – Get up... but another 5 minutes won’t hurt.... no, you need to get up... but I’m on holidays......stop being a lazy cow and GET UP!!!..... oh all right!). Breakfast and on the bike and down to the ferry for 8.30am. The Ferry Operator was great, giving me a map of the island, telling me which roads were sealed and telling me to look out for the koala. So off I went, along the waterfront and the followed the road until it turned into what looked to be a decent gravel road. For the most part it was, however there were some sections that definitely made my teeth chatter, and I had to keep my speed down to about 16kms an hour – damb shame that! Made it to the end of the island and walked down to the beach for some photos before heading back and taking a different road. So I’m riding along, and up until now I’ve been trying to remind myself to look up and take in the bush, and I see this animal walking along the side of the road. It looks like a wombat, or at least what I expect a wombat looks like, so I slow down, stop and get my camera out, about 30m away. It looks up and sorta hops to the nearest tree and grabs on – it’s a koala! So two common Aussie fallacies quashed – koala’s don’t exist in the wild, just in zoos and animal parks and two, that when they do move (which is very raley, being the bludgers of the animal world) it’s only at night. So I take a photo, move a step closer, take a photo, move closer, all the time he’s watching exactly what I’m doing. I eventually get in line with him and he slowly turns his head around to keep watching. I walk on a bit further to the next tree and he hops down and continues on his way to his next meal/bed at the tree I’d originally stopped at. Very, very cool! Heading back to town and I came across a street sign that confused me, so I turned around to have another look when the back tire slipped (some parts of the road were quite soft) and not being quick enough to get my shoe out of the cleat went A over T. BANG! Picked myself up, dusted off, bit of a graze on the ol’ knee and a sore palm but otherwise ok... and no-one around to laugh! Back on the bike, rode around the town until the ferry arrived, taking photos of the Clydesdale horse and carriage and another koala in someone’s front yard. Road back to the caravan park and had a shower, adding some betadine to the toiletries bag. I heated up some lunch in the microwave before heading off, and ate it by the water. 11.30am and I was on my way back to Bairnsdale, where I stopped in at the information centre before heading to K-mart for a few things (whilst I now had a spare tire for my bike, and carried a puncture kit, I realised I had no pump should I get a flat on the road somewhere). Off to Sale where I stopped for fuel and then made a screeching holt and turn to check out the historic bridge (there is no pre-warning here of upcoming sites until you get to the road itself.) A swing bridge (which is not a suspension bridge) that was built to let the boat traffic pass during the day over a century ago, and had been restored back to working order. Coincidently, every Saturday and Sunday between 3 and 4pm they open the bridge up – and it was 2.35 now! Beautiful. So I went on a bit of a walk down the river and was back to see the guys setting up. It was very interesting to watch, especially at 180° (I thought they’d stop it at 90°) when the other side of the bridge is coming into place. Headed to Lock Sport, east and north from Sale, where more Aussie wildlife was on display – first an echidna, then a wallaby. Awesome! Into town (which reminded me a lot of Ledge Point) and then into the National Park. Lots of signs and information sheets at all the points of interest was fantastic. Went on one walk, drove to Point Wilson and then back around the loop to Emu Bight, a camp spot to set up for the night. Completely alone in the bush, with just the rabbits and birds keeping me company. Now I had this urge to have a camp fire, and with very little wind and copious amounts of wood and fire place set up I thought I give it a whirl. So on my way back from a walk to the beach I started collecting firewood, and after about 4 loads I had enough to last me I thought. Grabbed the info brochure on Gipsland to use as the firelighter and built my fire. Quite impressed I took a photo (I was sure the likes of Poppa, Dad and Wattsy would be proud), just incase the fire itself was a failure. Unfortunately it was the complete opposite, with it burning a little too well for my liking, and it was then that I realised it was mid November, dispite the rain yesterday and that morning the wood was very dry, and there was probably a complete fire ban. Whoops! So now I’m slightly concerned that the next day’s headlines are going to read ‘Blonde starts fire in National Park, wipes out 50 hectares’, so I spread the fire out a bit and eventually it gets to a nice simmering state. Ok, now I can sit down and relax again. Chair and a book I read until it was dark, then got my head torch (worth it’s weight in gold) and read some more. My chicken stir-fry was completely frozen (which was great, meant the gas was working) so I settled for eggs on toast before having a baileys and milk. Checked out the fire.... still burning a little too well so I spread it some more and left it for another half hour when I was ready to go to bed. Still burning – damb it! Plus the wind had picked up. Now luckily, when I had stopped at the camping store yesterday I’d decided I should have a shovel in the van, which turned out to be a good investment, as I then used it to put sand on the fire, making sure there was absolutely no sparks left. So I headed to bed about 11pm... just slightly concerned that my fire might respark.......

16th November
Alarm at 7am for an early walk...... yeah that didn’t happen. Eventually got up, had breaky and then spent 20 minutes trying to find my ipod (I’d had it the night before.....). Decided I would find it later and headed for a walk (past the fire mind you... definitely out!). I had two options, 6km one way track or 1km return. Decided on the 1km return, and that I would walk around a golf course later instead. Track headed to the beach, which wasn’t very appealing and I didn’t stay long. Headed out of the park (after finding my ipod down the side of the chair) and down to Ninety Mile Beach, across the lake. Wow, you really get an appreciation for how dry it is when the lake is basically completely empty. Got to the golf course around 11am and by the time I was organised there was no-one else there... and then a car pulled up. So I set off, in a hurry to play the first hole. First shot was remarkably good (what’s with that), which was followed by a not so good show (that’s more like it) and another (it’s only the first hole) and another (this could be a long 9 holes) until I eventually got it in the hole for 8. I ended up with 60, lost 1 ball, but was reasonably happy with the game, considering the lack of practice and the conditions of the course (sand greens, fairways were only green where the weeds were etc). Left and headed along the coast through Paradise Beach, Golden Beach, Flamingo Beach and the Honeysuckles and eventually headed back inland to Yarram, nearly cleaning up a flock of black cockatoos on the way. I stopped for a walk through town and decided the hot chocolates looked good so grabbed one of those with some carrot cake – a celebration for Aaron and Aunty Deb’s b/days tomorrow, as I was missing out on the family do. Rang mum, who happened to mention a waterfall just out of Toora where I was planning to spend the night. Headed down to Port Albert to check out the wharf and then 10kms out of Toora saw a sign for a waterfall, so headed for that. Good work mum, the drive was great and the waterfall not bad either! Arrived at Toora ($18 a night, free wireless – you beauty!) and headed off for a run/walk (knee was not happy, probably from yesterday’s fall) before having a shower and heading to the pub for dinner (on mum’s recommendations). Lovely meal, although in a pub by yourself is an interesting concept! Headed back after dinner to try a catch the Rugby League semi final but no such luck, so flicked stations (which as there was no remote meant getting up to change them) before the lights went out at 11pm, when I headed to the office to get on the net.... and was there til the battery ran out on the laptop sometime after 1am........ absolutely freezing I headed for bed.

17th November – Aaron and Aunty Deb’s B/day
Woke at 7, then fell back asleep until 8.45am. Somehow the next hour and a half disappeared and before I knew it it was 11.30 and I still hadn’t left. Went to the camp kitchen and chatted with a lady who was from a tiny WA town of.... Singleton while I did the dishes and drove out just minutes before 12 noon – so much for an early start. Headed for the Strezlecki Ranges and Tarra Bulga National Park, with a quickish stop in Yarram for some petrol, shopping and maps from the info centre. Then it was up the hill....... where I saw another wombat, no wait it’s a koala, walking on the side of the road. Drove up just past it and grabbed the video camera – no battery! Took some photos before finding the other battery, which didn’t have much charge but would do, and got this guy walking along the road. Now either he was a brick short of a load, or thought he was invincible, because unlike the other koala when a car came along he just stopped and looked... regardless of the fact that he was on the road. So he’d stop, the car would go past and he’d start walking again. I drove up a bit closer and followed him for a bit. He didn’t break into a hop, obviously conserving energy from the massive walk he was undertaking, and eventually found a tree that looked suitable and was 2 metres high before you had time to blink. So totally amazing! Drove on and up a winding narrow road until Cyathea Falls (luckily that’s where I saw the first of two cars coming down the hill). Went for a walk around the loop, but unfortunately the falls were a bit lacking in water. Onto Balook and the visitors centre, which only opens on weekends. George was suddenly invaded by Western Rosellas, who sat on the doorframe, roo bar, roof etc until I left the van. Picked out a walk to the suspension bridge, through the rainforest. Really pretty. Decided to do the big loop back to the car park. Arrived back at 4.30 and with it being so light decided to tackle the 4.5km return walk. Saw a couple of wallabies along the way, and the light shining through the trees made it easier to spot the spiderwebs (I had become used to walking with a stick by now!). This track was really pretty, and less used because of the difficulty. Got back and headed off just before 6pm, deciding that with a couple of hours light still left I’d tackle the Grand Ridge Road, a gravel road with a turn off to Foster, save going back through Yarram. The advantage was the road was deserted, not a sole on it (until some idiots near the bottom came fishtailing around a corner). There was however a bit of wildlife (stay clear birds!) with wallabies, wombats (1 alive, 1 not so alive) and the odd little roo. Was a really pretty drive, although it probably took twice as long to get there (I was sitting on about 40 clicks) but with really bad signposting stopped at every intersection and checked the map to make sure I was headed in the right direction still. Eventually plugged Millie in and she got me home (she wouldn’t take me down the road beforehand, wanted me to turn around), although I was still very glad to reach a sign that pointed to Foster. Arrived just on 8pm to the caravan park and gave Aaron a call for his birthday before having some dinner (stir fry – yum!), updating the blog and heading to bed about 11.30pm, ready for a big day tomorrow.

Frocks and Fillies - Melbourne Cup Carnival

31st October – Halloween & Uncle Paul’s B/day
Washing, breakfast and dishes, packed up and gone by 9.30am. Headed to the pool, which was about 100 metres down the road and in for a swim. 20.42 for the km, not bad all things considered. Rod would have liked it, it was probably about 30 degrees. Showered and out of the rec centre just after 10.15 I was on my way to Melbourne. Fairly good run with the traffic, I programmed Millie to take me past the Chapel St Backpackers before heading into St Kilda, which was where I was spending the night. Stopped to let this guy and his dog cross the road and though he looked familiar – Husey (Dave Huse, from Rove for the less educated)! To early to check into my room – which was apparently a pamper room, giving me a towel, shampoo and conditioner and free glass of champagne from 6-7pm. Score! Moved George around the corner, quick bite to eat and headed for the train station to catch up with Brenden and Pete before they flew home that night. Got off at Flinders St and then spent about an hour trying to work out where the markets they were at happened to be – Brenden’s vague directions weren’t helping much. Found the markets and then the boys. Bit of a catch-up on what we’d seen in the past few weeks before deciding a beer would go down all right. Headed for St Kilda where a pub served $9 and $7 pizzas. Had a couple of jugs before they headed off and I walked back to check in my bags and get ready for the International Rules v Ireland. Down to the bar for 6pm for my free glass and watch the cricket, to find out it was free champers all hour – awesome. So 3 glasses in 45 minutes (ontop of the beer) and I was well and truely tipsy. Didn’t have to wait long for a bus that took us right past the ‘G’. Met Richard and Mike outside gate 3, and found our seats in the new stand – very nice facilities. The game was great, although the players are hard to recognise, and we needed to check the Game guide to get some understanding of the rules. Grabbed more beers at half time (and chatted to an Irish bloke who was ready for the biffo to start) and watched the second half, which became very exciting after we worked out how to score goals. Left the game (which we lost by 4 points) and wandered into Fed Square and a cafe/bar for another drink and a pizza. Great service and the pizza was good too. Calling it a night about 11 I wandered over to Flinders St and the longest trip to St Kilda possible, via Caulfield, then back to South Yarra, onto a bus, then a tram, then a walk and arrived just after 12. Exhausted I fell into bed, with the light still on.

1st November
Woke before my alarm willing myself to get up. Shower and makeup/hair/dress ready for Derby Day, the biggest day of racing during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Downstairs and ready to leave at 8 (which would have been too early) I jumped on the computer and finally was able to update the blog! So all frocked up in the backpackers I attracted a bit of attention, with two guys from Albury coming to chat... and a proposition ‘You married’ ‘Nope’ ‘You got a boyfriend’ ‘Nope’ ‘You want one?’ ‘Depends on the offer!’ Decided to pay $6 for breakfast (champers could start early, not a good look to be pissed before lunch) before leaving at 8.45am to Chapel St backpackers, where I was spending the next week. Parking had been my biggest stress leading up to this week, so I was extremely grateful when there were 2 spots across the road in free unlimited parking – awesome! I was set for the week. Too early to check in I got the door code and instructions on what to do if I arrived later than 7pm that night. Walked down to the train station and didn’t have to wait long before we were on our way in, complete with ‘Have a great day at the races’ from an Italian bloke on my way past. Train into Flinders Street, 9.45am. Awesome. Richard and Mike arrived just after 10, having cab problems and we boarded the train, full of frocked up females and suited up guys. It started slowly, but eventually was full to capacity, and with the weather windy and chilly I was very glad I was in the members stand, although I did go for a walk past the ‘common people’ in the afternoon. Champers started at 12 and continued all day. No luck with any bets until the races finished and Mikes horse who was racing in Perth managed a win! Celebs such as Denis Pagan, Mark Readings, Spider Burton, Michael Brennen were just some of the crowd we were mingling with... sort of! No queues for the toilets, champers by the glass, out of the weather – this was the life!!! Headed to dinner with Richard and crew, O’Connels, which was a pub but you wouldn’t have thought so by the service we got, fantastic. I drank and talked with Hayley, and we left there about 10.30 when the boys hailed me a cab and I got home about 11. Sorted out George and my gear and fell into bed (after finding my key wouldn’t open the room door, luckily a group were up drinking downstairs). Completely crashed..................

2nd November
6.45 was not a time I wanted to see on my watch. Laid there for a while, played on my phone and eventually fell back asleep – until 10am. Whoo Hoo!!! Up, shower, breakfast, phone call from the folks, blog, toast (lunch!!) and it was 12.30 before I knew it. Off for a walk to the St Kilda Markets, along the beach, up Acland St (which is where all the bakeries, cafes and shops are) and then back past the markets, buying a necklace and bracelet along the way, to add to the hat I’d bought from a store closing down. Caught the tram back, getting off a stop earlier than I should have, which worked out well because I was able to jag an appointment at the beautician (have to be presentable on Cup day). Time to get ready for the Rugby League World Cup Match v England. Caught the tram and then walked from Flinders St to Mick and Rosie’s hotel, and said I’d meet them in the pub downstairs. Well, I nearly walked out again, it was full of Poms! Grabbed a beer and hid in a corner until they turned up, and as we were leaving realised they were the Balmy Army! Followed them (it certainly wasn’t a boring walk) to Southern Cross Station (in the rain mind you – typical Melbourne weather!) where we stopped for dinner at Starbucks. Mick and Rosie had been sent an extra ticket, so once outside the gate we spent 10 minutes or so trying to get rid of it to no avail, so headed into Telstra Dome to find out seats, with a spare one for the bags. I did a lap of the bottom floor to find a t-shirt in a small enough size but no luck (saved $30 there!) before kick off. It was the best crowd I had been in, very animated and enthusiastic about the match. We started off well, before the Poms seems to come back, and then we absolutely annihilated them, holding them to just one try. Needless to say the Balmy Army weren’t so vocal after half time. Made it outside and Shamus, a friend from Mandurah who Richard had mentioned was also in town, called and we caught up for a chat before I headed with him to friends of his and Amanda’s, in an apartment building in Docklands overlooking the stadium. Wow! Had a beer up there before calling it a night around 11.15, and walked back to Southern Cross where I caught a train and then a tram to Prahran. In bed by 12.

3 November 2008
8.30 – now that’s more like it! Shower, breaky and off for some shopping! Out by 11am to Bridge Rd, shopping central of Melbourne. Start on one side of the road and work your way up and back down the other side. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, although a new dress for the Cup would be nice. Tried a few things on before I walked into this shop – where the sale stuff was marked at $99 (normally something I would see and walk back out again) but there was this gorgeous aqua dress on a mannequin. Having a look to see if there were any others the shop assistant said I could try on that one, which was a 10. Pftt – it’ll never fit I thought. I’ll be dambed, it did, and looked pretty good too. Bit the bullet and bought it – what the hell! A few more shops and I was stopped by this red dress that I loved aswell, a bit cheaper and would look great on Ladies Day. Was on my way out when I saw some black bolero jackets (which I had actually been looking for) and bought one of those too (will go great with the dress). It just went on from there, with shoes, handbag, hat (just a casual one) and all I needed now was a fascinator or hat in silver – and do you think I could find one anywhere? Shamus, Amanda and Ashley arrived and we did part of the other side of the street until I’d done enough and left them too it. Headed back to make sure the outfit was going to work, down to accessories and underwear. All great except the hat that I’d bought yesterday. Bugger. Off to catch up with them in St Kilda, I stopped at a brick-a-brack store just down the road in search of something with feathers/flowers, and found some clips that were perfect - $3.50 (but don’t tell anyone!). Very happy I made my way to St Kilda, where Shamus shouted afternoon tea (apple crumble for me) before walking along Acland St and down to the beach, which was pretty ferrel. Said goodbye as they headed in one direction and me in the other I made another stop in at the brick-a-brack store for some make-up (I seemed to have lost some between St Kilda Backpackers and here). Time to get organised then! Between sorting out the van, make-up, accessories, etc etc it was 7.30pm before I started to think about dinner. Ironed the dress and whipped together some alfredo pasta and vegies with a beer (yes lots of carbs!). Onto the internet, shower to prepare and bed by 11pm – needing some beauty sleep!

4 November – Melbourne Cup Day
Well it’s the first Tuesday in November already! OMG! Early to beat the rush to the showers, which turned out not to be a problem. Back to the kitchen for breaky and two games of patience, of which I got both out – lucky sign? Time for the frock and make-up, still no bathroom problems! Just about ready to go when my phone rang – Scotty!!! Had a good chat before I said I had to go. Down to the train station, one shoe starting to hurt already. Next train was 18 minutes away, so I figured the tram would come quicker, so walked back to the tram stop but the next one didn’t come, so back to the train station. Made it there and met Shamus, Amanda and Ashley, with Mick and Rosie arriving about 10 minutes later. Queued up to get on the train and made it to Flemington for 11am. Followed them to their seats (snuck past the security), running into Kerry and Scotty on the way! What a fluke. Couple of photos before heading up to Members. Glass of champagne (11.45am) to kick start the day before finding Pip, Richard and Mike. Decided to have a bet on race 4, Jacqueline’s Rouge, because of the name. Talk about exciting, nearly running into 1st place, before a protest between 1st and 3rd was called, potentially elevating my horse to 1st if it was upheld. It wasn’t, but paying $5 for a place it was enough to cover the bet and the glass of champers – and stood in front of Eagles CEO in the queue! More racing, another burger for lunch and more champagne. Then it was down to the race that stops the nation. I had 5 bets on, 2, 10 and 24 for lucky numbers, 17 (Newport – good pub!) and 18 – Profound Beauty, on Rod’s advice. $2.50 each way, $25 in total. I looked at the tickets, if any of them came it they would pay a fair bit of money. Managed to score a good viewpoint, made sure we had full glasses of champers and they were off and racing! No idea where any of the horses were, the crowd didn’t jump up and down in front of me like expected but we had to wait for the numbers to come up to find out the winners – and it was number 10 Viewed!!! Paying $41 for a win and $5 for a place I was $130 richer!!!How very exciting. Boys were devastated, their money down the drain. I cashed in my ticket (after taking a photo) and bought a bottle of champers to celebrate! We drank, bet and chatted until Louisa and I went for a walk to The Birdcage, the exclusive area. Saw Carman (Queer Eye) walk past as we mixed it with the finest Melboune had to offer. Walked back, after a photo with Ricki Lee and into the Members Lounge before more drinks and heading back to Fitzroy to the boys apartments. Sat down for a bit and took the shoes off – heaven! Walked down the road to a tapas restaurant where we drank wine and ate some beautiful food before heading back to their hotel and hailing me a cab. Stopped by a couple of kiwis around the corner from the backpackers I headed up for a drink – water only – before I said I had to go to bed. Somehow got my dress off and teeth cleaned and collapsed.

5 November
Awake and in need of water I felt ok – must still be drunk. Went back to sleep and at 10.30 (that’s not a misprint) I got up to have a shower and make breakfast before it stopped at 11am. Went for a walk down Chapel St towards South Yarra before heading to the South Melbourne Markets. Caught the tram back to the City before getting on the train to Prahran Station. Something to eat and organise some photos before a quick nap (apparently I hadn’t had enough) and to a restaurant with free wireless for dinner – Buddah’s Belly. On a balmy evening it was extremely pleasant drinking red wine, eating stir-fry and chatting away on the net. Back to the backpackers for some tv before heading to bed at 11pm, almost recovered from Cup Day, and ready to do it all again tomorrow!

6 November
Ladies Day – a great marketing ploy to get good attendance numbers to Oaks Day. Today it was the red dress and curls, contrast to the other two days. Aiming for another 10am start at the train station I got a phone call from Richard to say make it 10.30, which turned out to be a blessing because I doubt I would have made 10am. Another two games of patience out at breakfast – was I in for another good day? Walked down to the train station and a guy walked out of a shop just as I was going past... and in the next 3 minutes or so asked for my number! They are good over here I tell you! Train pulled in so I took off – public transport can be a fantastic blessing – and just made it on. At Flinders and bought Richard and Mike roses for their suits while waiting for them. Onto the train relatively quickly compared with Tuesday we arrived (albeit on the other side of the tracks) and headed in a different way to the track. First bets and into the Old Members Stand (which is outside) for the first race, which actually started later today, hence the phone call from Richard. Grub and Tony found us there, all unsuccessful again. Time to take position inside on level four. Race 3 and I had a bet on Lindop, who’d won the Derby Day Race and backed a winner! Whoo Hoo!! Little was I to know that this was the start of a very successful day! A couple of races later and I was still winning, with bets going on jockey’s today, and Williams and Lindop carving up the field. Had a guy, Wayne, who’d been behind me in the collection line come up and start talking, only to find out he was from Perth too. More betting and more winning for me, I decided to go for a walk downstairs for some sandwiches for lunch (it was about 3pm, and drinking champers on an empty stomach whilst wearing high heels is something I’ve done before with disastrous consequences, as most of you would know! Grabbed my plate and took about 5 steps through the crowd for a look when I was stopped by 3 guys and asked for a tip on the next race – number 12 (Lindop) for me, but don’t blame me if it doesn’t come in. Bought me a drink... scotch and coke of all things! I put my traditional bet on ($2.50 each way) and they all splurged $10 each way. Watched the race and.... WINNER!!! Talk about making friends fast. Another drink and a bet on the last with two more winners. So I had 8 collects in total for the day, how very awesome was that! Boys (Joe, Chris and John) invited me out to the Cas later, so we exchanged numbers and I headed back to the boys upstairs, who had assumed position by Barts Bar. Wayne was there with some of the boys too, one of which had won $18000 on the quaddie – guess who was buying drinks there! We chatted for a bit, and when Graham, Richards business partner, came over and started chatting it turned out we all knew him, with Wayne member at Ascot. Small small world! With delays on the train lines we stood drinking for a bit longer before deciding to head off... only to find the trains weren’t running because they’d had to cut the power, so all hell was breaking loose! Scored a maxi taxi (with drivers charging a premium!) and it was one of the craziest drives I’ve ever been on – married couple negotiating buying a house with a real estate agent, two big Aussie blokes in kilts, some mutton dressed up like lamb in the back and two extremely drunk guys in the front, one of whom I’m sure nearly passed out when we finally made it into Melbourne. And all we wanted to know was a cricket score!!! Jumped in another cab to Richmond and the Public House bar, where we drank some more, before grabbing some burgers on Church St and heading home on the tram about midnight.

7 November
Another rest day – although got a phone at 9.30 so that got me up before it got ridiculously late. Shower, breaky and went for a walk to organise some stuff. Decided some exercise was probably a good idea, so headed down the road to the local swimming pool, which was a 50m outdoor pool. Got in and Holey Crap it was chilly, but did warm up after half a lap. Swam along while it started to spit. Did my kilometre and was enjoying it so much I did a few more laps, very relaxing. Finished on 1700m. Walked back (in the rain, luckily I’d packed a brolly), and decided it was time for lunch (about 2.30pm) so headed back to Buddah’s Belly for the best tandouri pizza I think I’ve ever had (their hot chocolate rated pretty well too). Sat and watched the rain and the world go by in the cafe whilst trying to find accommodation in Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test- not an easy task! Back packers to get a bit organised for tomorrow and then out to Richmond for another hot chocolate before heading to the Swing Dance class on Church St. Got there just as the class started, and slotted myself in. Talk about different demographics to Swing at home – there were probably 45 students and the majority between 25 and late 30’s. Few extra girls to guys but not many. Class went for an hour before the level 1’s class started, with the social dance starting at 9.30pm. I headed off to find some food down Church St, and when nothing took my fancy headed back to the pub for something there, and got in just after 9pm because they’d stopped serving. Bugger, was looking forward to watching the cricket for a bit too. Went outside and decided the kebab place was as good as any, when two guys from another pub further down stopped at the lights too.... with one hiding under my umbrella (yes, it was still raining). So in the two minutes it took us to cross to the opposite corner I had names and an invite back to the pub for a drink – Melbourne is a single girls dream! Said I was off dancing (although I was very, very tempted) and had my kebab instead. Back to the dance studio at 9.30 and found a vacant chair to plonk my belongings. There would have been about 120 people, with 80% of those under 40 I would imagin – fantastic! Decided to sit and watch for a bit and waited about 3 dances before one of the other students came up. The studio has mirrors all along one wall, and I swear he spent most of his time admiring himself in them! Hadn’t quite sat down when another student came up for a couple of dances. Excellent. Sat down and watched the floor for a few songs, and a couple who were dancing infront that were trying to work out a step, which I happened to know so I helped out. They finished and he looked around for his next dance so I asked him. He, Nathan, was a bit reluctant as he’d seen me in the intermediate class, and I said not to worry (I was pretty rusty!!!) So we had a couple of dances and he grabbed someone else for me to dance with, but said he’d be back later. So I danced for another hour or so with a whole range of people and abilities (some who were exceptionally good, and rather good looking with it!!) and was quite exhausted. At 11pm they changed dj’s and invited up anyone new/first night/birthday. As a couple of the guys now knew I was from Perth I got ushered up there, having no idea what was going on. Turns out you get a whole dance to yourself, with the rest of the audience clapping you on. Fantastic! (that was sarcastic incase you missed it). Nick, who had danced with me earlier came up and asked if I’d like the dance with him (yes, yes, yes I would – great dancer and hot!). Sure. He said it’d be ok, only the good dancers offer to dance with you. No worries. So we dance for about 30 seconds and someone else comes up to cut in, followed by someone else, and someone else.... I must have danced with about 8 or 10 different people in the 5 minutes, so you soon forget about the 100 or so others clapping and watching. It was fantastic, great way for everyone to know that you are new and break the ice a bit. Sat down, I was exhausted, and drank some more water. Had a few more dances and at 11.15 figured it was probably time to head home. Nathan had been very popular so I hadn’t had a chance to come back and ask him, so I changed my shoes and headed out around the edge, where I was stopped by Nathan and asked if I was leaving. So he said I couldn’t go without another dance, and knowing I would leave when I stopped dancing found me someone else to dance with while he had a break and then came back. We danced until just before 12 (I wanted to leave before I turned into a pumpkin) so we said goodbye after giving me some extra places to visit. Waited about 4 minutes for a tram that dropped me back outside the backpackers. Needed a shower (I was hot and stinky) so didn’t make bed until just before 1am

8 November – Emirate Stakes Day
7am and even though I’d not drunk a thing, I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. Seriously, seriously over makeup, frocks and high heels by now! At breakfast at 8am and this electric drill starts up. There had been a heap of renovations at the backpackers, so noise was not unusual, but 8am on a Saturday morning was a bit early we thought. 30 seconds later someone in the kitchen says “There’s a burst main” which we kinda ignored, until we heard the water... so got up to find water gushing everywhere! Long story short, the drilled through the wall, and hole in the pipe, which flooded the bottom floor of the backpackers (luckily the rooms are upstairs) but made for extremely entertaining 10 minutes while the handyman stood there with a bucket I found to catch the water. That crisis over Frock on, problems with my fascinator (which for you blokes who don’t know is the thing the ladies wear in their hair) which had travelled with me since leaving, I went to plan B and the hat I had bought, which mean silver accessories. Everything sorted, but do you think I could find the necklace I’d bought in Parramatta to go with the dress? Not happy Jan. Too bad, time to catch the train. Got there with a few minutes to spare, and just as I was buying my ticket found out there was free travel for race goers, after Thursday’s debacle. Into Flinders St where I didn’t have to wait long for Richard and Mike. On the train, here we go again. We made it before the first race, which didn’t give the boys much time to place their bets, before heading to the old members to watch the race. Caught up with Grub and Tony and headed for the Champagne Bar for the second race, and decided that we really should have some champers while we were there. So much for the late start I was planning! Watched the race on the screens, and Tony says his horses came in third, second and..... first – trifecter! So the champagne then turned into a bottle of Moe and Chandon - $130 bottle!!! Whilst it was sweet because of the victory, I very quietly actually preferred the other stuff we were drinking, but certainly wasn’t going to say that out loud!!! The boys had another bet (and Mike left his tickets behind) and watched the third race. Time to resume position we headed to the fourth floor for some more betting (and drinking). I wasn’t having a good day, but the boys luck had changed and were doing all right. Headed down for some photos (I’d brought my real camera along today) and mingled with the sparse crowd (compared with the previous 3 days). Having almost run out of money I put what I had on Sunburnt Land for the main race, who came in third, and didn’t pay as much as the bet had cost, but at least I’d had a collect. Back upstairs for a strawberry and marshmellow kebab (when you don’t win on the races, eating and drinking is a good way to go!) and pretend I was interested in the remaining few races (it’s not so much fun when you’ve lost all your betting money!). Ran into Wayne again and had a chat, while they bet on Ascot Races (which they were having more luck with). He headed off with his group and I returned to mine, where we departed and headed for the train. The train stopped at Newmarket, which was a bit bizarre, and a couple of ladies got off, with one not very happy. We had no idea what was going on, and after sitting there for about 15 minutes the police arrived and we finally left, to see another group at the other end of the platform – must have been a cat fight. Got to Southern Cross and a few of us made beelines for the bathrooms before Richard and I caught a cab to South Melbourne and Centro. So the 5 boys and I sat upstairs around this massive square table and ordered from a French waiter. Now not only could he take our orders without having to write them down, I nearly fell out of my chair as he recited the specials of the day... I’m sure I was drooling everywhere. So we had a couple of bottles of white from New Zealand and a couple of bottle of red from Italy and ordered entre and mains. The conversation was comical, with some reminiscing from the Tassie boys which resulted in two phone calls to England and Darwin and consultation of the group in the adjoining room, to source the answer to a particular question which was of no importance really. We then moved onto cricket, and for the most part I think I was able to hold my own. The group next door came to say goodbye before they left, and asked if it was a business dinner, to which I said yes, and she hoped they were looking after me, which they were I said. Left the restaurant about 11pm I guess and goodbyes were said before Mike and Richard dropped me at the Casino. I headed in to check things out and stopped at the first bar with a band (and sports!) and danced and sung with the crowd. Wayne had headed on down so we me up and headed to a cafe for a drink and a chat, and left there about 2.30am – where could you do that in Perth? Time for bed (and they were actually closed by now), I think it was about 3.30am when I finally hit the pillow.

9 November
Sunday – day of rest. Breakfast and off for a swim, try and make myself a bit more receptive. Flicked through the sports section of the paper before jumping in, a far more pleasant temperature today with the sun out. Managed 1850 before I got cramp doing breaststroke and called it quits at 1900m. Not the best work, but still work. Walked back, picking up a fruit plate for lunch on my way – yummo! Ate that while I talked to mum and messed around in George, organising some stuff to be sent home. It was an absolutely beautiful spring day, you would have sworn you were in Perth. Went for another walk to get some birthday cards before plonking myself in front of the rugby union and cricket... and drifting off to sleep. Dragged myself to bed for a nap and headed down to the kitchen about 5.30pm for some caffeine (coke zero) and cheese biscuits. BBQ dinner at the backpackers, so chicken and salad was the go, and it was good too! Decided to take advantage of the weather and went for a run to St Kilda and out onto the Pier, where heaps of people were there to take photos of the sunset over the water, which I found rather amusing, as it was not a very nice evening, and the sunset wasn’t much to look at. Back, watch some cricket, shower, internet and an early night.... only about 11pm.

10 November
Woke, back to sleep, woke, back to sleep, woke – 9.30am all ready? This is ridiculous!! Time for some washing so ran around for about 15 minutes trying to find the car keys so I could get the washing powder (they’d fallen under the bed). Hung that out and headed off to find a newsagents before heading to the Shrine of Remembrance. With Remembrance Day tomorrow thought it might pay to have a look when it wasn’t packed, which was a good plan. Then off down Albert Rd to find the Sports Medicine Office where I had to go for my sports trainers re-accreditation that night. Walked and walked for ages, then the street changed names, then I walked back..... eventually found it, so was thankful I’d done some investigating. Onto the tram to St Kilda walk for a bit more and was a bit peckish, so decided an Ackland St Bakery would be the go, and grabbed an apple crumble (there was fruit in it!!!). Onto a tram and then another one before getting back to the backpackers at 5pm. Something to eat and a cuppa, quick change and I was on my way again by 5.30pm. Decided on a different station, but went the wrong way twice and just missed the train. Got to Flinders St, change trains to Southern Cross and to the tram stop, and just missed the tram. Crap! Next one at 6.10pm, would I make 6.30 – unlikely! Must have been my lucky day, and arrived with 5 minutes to spare, and before about 5 other people. Well, this was our lucky day, as the 3 hours I’d been told it would take took just over an hour once we got started and we were all done before 8pm – absolutely awesome! One of the masseurs from the Commonwealth Games was there too! Finished and headed for the tram stop, when one of the guys who I’d had a bit of a chat with, Leigh, drove past and offered me a lift back to Prahran. So instead of a 45ish minute trip I was home in less than 10, and thought I might still stand a chance at seeing the end of the cricket. Unfortunately not, as we were all out, India had won the series. Decided to do some food shopping, so walked down to Coles and left there at 9.20pm – on a Monday night, how cool is that! Back for a quick snack and it was early to bed... about 10.30pm.

11 November – Remembrance Day (and Richard’s Birthday)
Down to the pool for another swim before heading back for breaky and a shower. Then it was off to the Shrine of Remembrance again, but this time for the real deal. Arrived not long after proceedings had started at 10.30am, along with quite a big crowd. It was a really warm day, and I was very thankful I was wearing a hat, because people had turned their programs into fans and newspaper into sailors hats. The cannon going off before the last post made me jump, and the emotion was quite amazing. The navy/army band played lots of Aussie classics, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Waltzing Matilda, We Are Australian (yes I knew all of these without anyone singing... my parents really have corrupted me!) plus the National Anthem, which everyone sung (although most dropped out when she sang the second chorus... although I knew the words to that too!). Queen Vic Markets, little Chapel St, Mac Donalds, exhausted tv room, buddahs belly madori and lemonade, bike ride – nope flat tire, trip to beach, nope no tram, scrapbook and tv instead, finishing with Pirates 3!

Snowy Mountains to Melbourne

27th October
Woke around 6.15ish – blah. Wanting to get moving early, and intending to go for a run/ride/swim before I left town I still couldn’t drag my ass outa bed until 7am. Needing to sort out some photos, that took slightly longer than anticipate, and with a couple of minor hiccups (like breaking a wine glass) instead of leaving at 8.30 I was heading out at 9.30am, not having done any exercise at all. That’s ok, intent was to do a big walk at Mt Kosciosco later that day, that’d make up for it. Stopped at Shell for fuel (and a hot chocolate and donut – sooo naughty!) and then the information centre to find out where the Snowy Mountain Hydro Scheme was set up, and ensure there would be no snow/ice on the roads. All good, from there headed west to the Canberra Space Station, and the biggest ‘dish’ in the southern hemisphere – 70m across. Very interesting place, with lots of information, including busting ‘The Dish’ movie, as not only did they not play cricket on the dish (which most people would think was purely for the movie only) Parkes didn’t have anything to do with the Apollo 11 landing on the moon – it was Honeysuckle Creek, near Canberra, that took the images. That particular dish had been relocated and was now here at Tidbinilla. If nothing else everything here certainly put things in perspective – I’d spent the last 9 weeks learning all about Australia and our history, and we don’t even count as a blimp on the radar when it comes to the scheme of things. Next stop, Cooma, nearly a two hour drive, and the information centre on the Snowy Mountain Hydro Scheme. Back to being amazed by what us humans can achieve. I particularly found amusing the stat that 1 hour of output from the scheme created 3,756,000 Wh, enough to power a hairdryer continuously for 238 years – which would suit Kel just fine! Into Cooma town and a quick stop at Coles before heading up the mountain to Thredbo, the base of Mt Kosciusko. Man, if I thought Canberra was deserted, try heading to a ski resort in spring! Drove around the village before deciding to head to a campsite for the night. Arriving around 7 with it still light (have I mentioned I love daylight savings?) I took a quick walk by the creek before cooking tea (burritos) reading my book and updating the blog. Bed by 10.30 to the sound of the creek running just outside my bedroom window – magic!

28th October
Woke up really early, but dozed for a bit before I grabbed my book. My initial plan had been to head to Murray 1 Power station for the 11am tour, and there was no point in getting there too early, so I was quite happy reading. Got up at 8am, wrote a few postcards, had breaky, organised myself and re-evaluated the maps... and changed my game plan. Decided to climb Mt Kosciuszko first, before it got really hot, and then head to the power station and continuing the loop back to Cooma. 20 minute drive back to Thredbo and got organised for the walk – couple of apples, orange, fruit bar, lollies and some water, plus my camera of course. Over to the chairlift, which runs all year round, and after slugging me $28 I wondered if it was really worth that, or if I coulda walked it. Turns out it was worth every cent, with it covering some serious country. The weather was going to be beautiful, however colder than where we were, so expect about 12 degrees and windy. Oh, and the 13km round trip was expected to take me 4 hours, because I looked relatively fit. Right – back to George, wind jacket and two sandwiches (yes there is a reason I’m not loosing weight with all this walking!). On the chair lift just after 10, started the climb at 10.22am – I now had a challenge on my hands. Powered along and was puffed after about 10 minutes, combination of the steep incline and the high altitude (a couple along the way claimed they were suffering from altitude sickness...). Made it to the Mt Kosciuszko lookout and took some happy snapps (and caught my breath) before continuing on. Got into a routine of – see something to take a photo of, stop, catch my breath, take the shot, have some water, repack the backpack and move on. People ahead of me because chaseable objects (yes, everything can be turned into a competition!) There was still snow in parts, which was cool, and rivers running all over the place. 1km from the top there is Australia’s Highest Toilet, but more importantly I then knew it was ok 1km to go. Powering on I passed a couple on the ‘home straight’, which came not long after what I thought was the summit – similar to Bluff Knoll if you’ve been there, where you are sure you’re there and all of a sudden there’s a downhill followed by another uphill. Rounded the last corner and stood on top of Australia’s highest point – 1hr and 22 minutes, 30 minutes quicker than what I’d been estimated to do. Sat down just to enjoy the moment and pulled out the orange to eat. The couple I’d passed on the way up – Graham and Judy – were from England, over for their daughter’s wedding. His brother had a $100 bet on that he wouldn’t make it, so had not only made the top but claimed the prize for his efforts. Graham pulled out a beer, something I’d thought about doing when I packed my bag, so he offered me a mouthful – Classic Blonde and it tasted good! We chatted for a bit longer before they headed off, and said they’d see me when I overtook them on the way down. I took some photos, sent some messages and got a phone call from Mum and Dad. 30 minutes after I arrived I left. The ice at the top of the mountain was on a bit of a slope, making it slightly more challenging heading down (plus it was starting to melt in the sun). The very last section there was no easy way to climb down it, so the ladies that were waiting nearby informed me that on my bottom was the only way – for their benefit or mine I asked? So I slid down the 2 metres, which was actually kinda cool (pardon the pun), but did leave you with a wet a#se afterwards. Stopped at the toilet on the way down before catching up to Graham and Judy again, who after about 5 minutes said whilst they loved talking with me, they were quite happy for me to power on ahead, which I did. More photos and another stop at the lookout before arriving back at the chairlift – 1 hr 19 minutes. Less than 3 hours return, plus the stop. Nice. Time to beat the clock again – it was now 2pm, and I had an hour to get to Murray 1 Power station for a tour, however the roads were less than conducive to picking up time, winding up, but mainly down, through the Snowy Mountains. It was a beautiful drive, mainly in third gear, but I was definitely getting better at this, and managing to dodge the lizards (similar to our blue tongues) on the road and the birds, rosellas I think, as well. 3.15 I ended up arriving, so I read the information, saw the demo version and left, heading for Yarrangobilly thermal springs. Drove through, knowing full well you couldn’t camp there, and got death stares from a lady sitting on a verandah of ‘Caves House’. Stoped at the Park Office, which was closed until 9am the next day. Drove onto the carpark of the springs and walked down the steep 700m road to an actual pool, 20m long, with a natural bottom, complete with plants! Dived in – absolutely amazing. It was the best feeling in the world, just the birds chirping and the roos wandering what was going on. I had taken down a beer, and drank that whilst swimming around, butt naked (yes I did have bathers nearby incase unexpected visitors turned up). Very liberating, and with the sun slowly setting behind the hills (it was nearly 7pm) an absolutely magical and memorable moment of the holiday. Finished the beer and went for a walk along the river – after getting changed of course! Before dusk I wandered back up the hill, having walked about 16kms, and just as I was nearing the top saw some lights in the car park – crap I’d left the headlights on! So the last bit was a run. Drove back towards the office taking it nice and slow, not wanting to come across any wildlife when I saw headlights coming the opposite direction. He slid back down the hill to let me pass and stopped. I thanked him and he inquired where I was going, there’s no camping in here. Now I’m not sure if it was because it was dark, I was by myself or just convincing, but I claimed ignorance “really, I know there’s no camping at the springs.....” and eventually they pointed me in the direction of a grassy patch away from the accommodation that I could probably park on and if I was discrete would probably be OK. No problem! Found the grassy bbq area, ate left over burritos and FINISHED MY BOOK!!! Whoo hoo!!!

29th October
Alarm around 7 to make a get away before the rangers turned up. Took George back to the springs, and saw a ranger’s car parked along the way – bugger – too late! Had breakfast before heading for a walk around the river and up, wondering where it was taking me, when I came across the giant entrance to the caves. Wow. Kept walking and came across some more of the lizards, baking in the morning sun. Followed the path out and to the Park Office, where I paid my fees for a cave tour, self guided tour of another cave and park fees. Back to the entrance of the cave I’d seen before heading up to Jennalin Cave. Small group meant for lots of photos/questions/information, which was great. Was interesting trying to piece together the timeline of the caves, with some of the limestone black from previous bushfires or volcanic activity, and parts right next door that were pristine and white. Contemplated another swim, but with a car in the carpark didn’t want to spoil yesterday’s memory, so hightailed it out for Cooma, with a quick stop at Adaminaby and the Giant Trout. Refuel, 454 km round trip, and worth the $90 odd dollars to fill up. Now for the coast – Bega. I’m sure the trip down the ranges would have been spectacular, except for the fog/clouds that made visibility about 50 metres. Arrived in Bega at 4.30pm – straight to the cheese factory! With 14 different cheese to sample, I was in heaven, having to retaste a few of the first ones just to make sure I got the right one. Grabbed a pack of information and decided to head for the coast – Tathra. 3 caravan parks all on the beach road I called them all – how much and do you have tv (it was Wednesday, I could catch up on House and Life). One was $18 a night, no internet but tv, great. Found a site and headed straight for the showers! God that was good! Dishes next, which were pretty rank after 2 days before making more and cooking up a stirfry. All done for 8.30pm I walked my laptop and dinner to the tv room.... WHICH WAS LOCKED!!! Cursing I walked back to George and had dinner before starting an update e-mail. Lucky I didn’t watch tv, because it was 11.30pm before I finished, and with the intent to see the sun rise over the ocean the next day I wasn’t going to get a lot of sleep. In bed just before 12, just drifting off when ‘beep beep beep beep beep’..... my watch was going off. No wonder I’d been waking up during the night, somehow there was an alarm set. Fix it tomorrow ....... no wait, today!

30th October
6.30am the alarm went off... and although daylight savings were in it was already really light outside. Grabbed the camera and the toilet key (which I’d forgotten last night!) and headed across the road to the beach. Yep, sun already up, but still got some good shots. Back for a very important task – fashion parade for the mirrors to ensure I had 4 outfits for the races. Tried on the 5 dresses I had (which all still fit) and was satisfied I would be able to get by. Breakfast (I was starving, although it was only 7.30am) before updating the blog notes. Then it was time to go for a run, and boy, are there some big hills in Tathra! Ran up some stairs and then had to run further up the road... my legs were burning so in the end I had to walk. So I ran and walked for 40 minutes. Over for a shower, dishes and then head for Victoria, via the historic jetty, which looked pretty plain and boring to me! Stopped at Merimula for photos before getting to Eden just before 12, and all I wanted to do was have a nap. Had some fruit (I was about to head over the border, all the fruit and vegies had to be eaten or thrown out) and some bloke came up and asked if I had jumper leads. Yes I replied and started to reach for them. ‘Well you’re gonna need ‘em if you leave your headlights on’. Smart arse! Must be getting close to Victoria! Checked out the Killer Whale museum and Old Tom, a killer whale who used to herd in other whales for the whalers to spear. Read all about Benjamin Boyd, and then Ned Kelly (and from what I read Ned was a more honest and loyal bloke that poor Ben was!). Enough messing around, I headed for Victoria, stopping at the first rest stop to cut up the rockmelon, make lunch (tomato and cheese sandwiches) and throw out the food scraps. Stopped a few more time, in between rain showers, and was told at another spot I’d left my lights on – Gees, you think I’d have learnt after 10 weeks wouldn’t you! Further south to Lakes Entrance, which was just a flying visit but a place I’ll be sure to return to. People fishing, beautiful placid lake, lorikeets, very nice! Driving on the landscape had changed from mountain ranges and clifts to fairly flat roads, meaning good constant speeds. Managed to see a kookaburra and a wombat on the side of the road – both alive too (well I’m going to believe the wombat was alive. It appeared to be on all fours, even though it wasn’t moving!). Through Bairnsdale where I stopped for fuel - $154.90 less 4c voucher – and drove on. Had intended to call it a night a Traralgon but was feeling ok so made it as far as Warragul, 100kms from Melbourne, by 7.30pm. Went for a quick drive into town to find an internet cafe to no avail and headed back to have an early night. Left-overs for dinner, establish how I was getting into Melbourne tomorrow and pack ready for a week in backpackers.

Canberra take 2

23rd October
Woke about 7am to a car driving past – what the? To get here it was quite a long road, and down a steep hill, so I wasn’t expecting to see anyone at all. Read my book, played on the computer, made a cuppa and another car.... this time it was the police! Crap – did the no camping sign refer to campervans aswell??? Quickly threw some pants on (didn’t think the Tinkerbell short pj’s would be a good look) but they turned around at the bottom of the car park and drove off. Had breaky and waited for the other car to leave before I went for my walk along the Kambah Pool, which happened to be a part of the Murrumbidgee River. It was beautiful (although the water was brown) with lots of little rapids. Very serene. Stopped to take some photos of the cockies before heading into Canberra (this time without getting lost) and back to Anzac Parade, to view the monuments that lead up to the War Memorial. The sun was out, but as always seems to be the case in Canberra it was BLOODY FREEZING, although not as cold as Sydney, who’d had their coldest October day in 35 years! Got outa there in time!!! Drove to Commonwealth Park where dad and I had been before where I stopped for lunch (noodles!) and some more of my book before convincing myself a bike ride would do me good. It takes about 20 minutes to get ready, by the time I find gear, pump the tires, pack the backpack etc etc. I was headed around Lake Burley Griffin, or at least the section between the bridges. So I’m happily riding along, been going for about 15 minutes or so when I see this shadow of a bird – magpie! Swoop, swoop, swoop. I tried to headbutt the thing when I saw it coming (yes, I was wearing a helmet!) and eventually he left me alone. Continued riding, and came to the bridge and decided as the track kept going I would to. Eventually crossed at another point and followed the footpath until.... it ran out. A dilapidated track continued on, so I carefully rode on that, hoping it didn’t just do a loop, or that I’d puncture a tire. Came across a small building with no doors, so I wandered in for a look to find a bird watching sanctuary. Back on the bike, wondering if I would ever get out and I found a road – hurray! Headed back towards the lake and eventually found the bike path again, but not before coming across another hormonal magpie, who luckily lost interest quickly when she found some food. Continued my ride, stopping for random photos and to read the Australians of the Year plaques before crossing the bridge and arriving back at George, almost an hour and a half after leaving. Looking forward to a hot shower I headed for the caravan park. Having had two dry nights in a row (OMG can you believe it!) I decided to settle in for the evening, so after showering and doing some washing I poured a glass of the finest chateau cardboard and was quite content to watch Coyote Ugly and chill! Kinda like a regular Friday night at home... except that it was Thursday!

24th October
So today I felt like... doing absolutely nothing. So that was what I did. Ate, internet, read, cleaned and organised George, rode to the shops and got some wine, cheese and biscuits, made phone calls (foolishly started on a big box of m & m’s while on the phone to mum... felt a little bit sick afterwards) and watched Pirates ‘At World End’ whilst drinking the wine. Phone call from Aaron to say we lost the International Rules by a point (which wasn’t on TV here, I was in NSW, no worse, I was in Canberra!) I was so slack I didn’t even cook tea, just had a sandwich. Just a quite Friday in really! Yes, this is still me, I haven’t been abducted by aliens!!!

25th October – Mum and dad’s wedding anniversary.
Saturday morning and I decided to do what most normal people do on a Saturday – sleep in! So I didn’t get out of bed til after 9am. By the time I messed around it was noon before I headed into Canberra. Another magical day I headed for the National Museum. Spent about four hours looking and reading about everything from our natural wildlife and that which has been introduced, to our Aussie Icons (FJ Holden, Hills Hoist, Victor Lawnmower), Aborigional and Torris Straight Islander history and Australia’s ‘Big Things’, where apparently out little home town Singleton WA has the biggest sundial – not so much! So after about 4 hours I took a walk around the outside of the building and along the lake before heading into Canberra City for a look. Oh My God, you just about coulda heard a pin drop. It was 4.30 on a Saturday arvo and the streets were basically deserted. For our nation’s capital it was like a ghost town. Wandered my way to the shopping complex, which was massive and spanned about 4 blocks, over and under the roads. Decided a movie could be on the cards, and coincidently there happened to be a cinema in the shops. Found the screening times and headed back to get changed and move George a bit closer. I was sweating after putting my jeans on, not because it was hard work but because it was still so warm! Found parking and headed back... having to stop and ask for directions on the way. Food court for dinner (a yummy chicken wrap) and headed in to see Body of Lies – Leo D’Caprio and our mate Russ Crow. Ate more m & m’s (that I’d taken in) until I again felt sick. Good movie, I enjoyed it. Left and rang Mum who was at the family do, so chatted to everyone while I walked back to George. Decided it would be a good time to check out Canberra under lights, so went to Anzac Parade for photos of the War Memorial, monuments and Parliament House before heading up to Mt Ainslie, thinking I could take some snaps and perhaps crash the night there. Dodging wallabies and rabbits on the way up, I apparently wasn’t the only one who’d thought it’d be a good idea, with the car park more full than when dad and I had been during the day! Was again in awe of how beautiful places look lit up (thanks to Brendan) but this time was able to take some photos of it. Deciding that wasn’t going to be a good place to spend the night, I eased George back down the mountain and found a car park that was hidden away from view of the main road to spend the night.

26th October
Had set the alarm for an early start, but woke before it anyway. Headed back to Regatta Point and this time went for a run along the foreshore. There were no cars on the road, but plenty of people exercising (just the way I like it!). Had breakfast overlooking the lake before driving into Canberra Olympic Pool for a swim to find them closed – crap! Checked with Millie on the next closest and headed to Manuka Pool instead. Well, this was an experience. Checking to make sure they had showers before I paid, I went into the change rooms to put my bathers on to find their showers were like something you’d expect to see in a prison – no curtain and shower head coming straight down out of the roof. Interesting! Place had obviously been around for a while, with the depths in feet on the side (9ft at the deep end). Walked in down the steps and HOLEY CRAP it was cold! I was going to have to swim fast. Had a lane to myself and started swimming, with the water seeming to get colder and colder, but on the way back it was ok. It was an unusual length pool though, definitely longer than 25m but not 50m, meaning I had no idea how far I was swimming. About halfway through my brain must have unfrozen, because I realised it was cold swimming down to the deep end, and obviously got warmer as I swam to the shallow end. Derrrrr! After swimming about 900m (I think) I got out, as I could still feel the cold on every second lap. Found out it was, and I quote “30 metres at the moment” and “22 degrees and rising”, depending on which part of the pool you took the temperature I replied! Remembered Dad had taken me to markets which were nearby but closed last time we were here, I contemplated calling them (which would have been about 7am, no wait 8am because daylight savings had come in) before I remembered that Fyshwick sounded familiar. Found them no problems. These were your typical market gardeners, with the Greek and Italian’s competing for the loudest stall. “Three corn for $2”, “Beautiful pineapples for $2”, “You won’t find better mango’s than these”. “Young lady would you like to try some rockmelon” I was proposition. Sure, and it was good. I continued to wander the stalls, but knew I would head back there for my groceries, and one of those rockmelons! Whilst the fruit and veg were cheap, the mean and chicken not so, at $14 a kilo I just bought 1 piece, plus some mince – taco’s for dinner (bout time I cooked a decent healthy meal!). Back to pack and clean out the fridge, before heading back to replace tomatos and carrots that were not fit to eat from my fridge. That all sorted I headed for Parliament House, and found a tv in the foyer with sports news – brilliant. Caught up on the soccer/rugby league/v8’s before joining a group just starting a tour. Mrs Guthrie, my social studies teacher, would have been proud, rehashing everything she had taught me about Australian politics. Tour done it was onto the roof for the traditional pictures before heading out (once I worked out which way was out) for more photos. I was then off to the Mint, where I read up on the history of our currency (did you know in early days Rum was used as currency – I like that idea, ‘cept that I’d probably end up rather poor!), before having my own $1 coin stamped (straight to the pool room!). Bought a 1980 Penny (you don’t want to know what I paid for that) and headed back into the City for some shopping and deciding to spend the night in Canberra. Headed for the caravan park and straight to the laundry room (where the tv was) to check the V8 status, who had just started the last race at the Gold Coast. Grabbed a beer and set myself up for the next 40 minutes, very relaxing. Jumped on the internet with another beer in the balmy conditions (internet could only be accessed within about 10m of the front office, lucky they had a chair on the porch) before it was time for dinner (and another beer) while watching Shaw Shank Redemption – good movie. Ate far too much, as per normal and went to bed around 11.

What a Weekend in Sydney!

17th October
Up before Dan (which was kinda funny, as he was the one working and I was on holidays) and set off to do Manly and Palm Beach. First stop in Manly was the information centre, before going for a walk through the streets and around the coastline, to the Manly Surf Life Saving Club. Continued on to Cabbage Tree Bay and came across a group of scuba divers, and found out they were heading back out at 12 today – magic! Continued my walk back to George before organising my diving gear and some lunch and took a trip up the hill to North Heads, with a fantastic view of the harbour and the famous Manly Ferry. Back down to pay for my dive and organise other gear before meeting the crew back at the bay. Not wanting to look too woosey I’d left my hood in the car, before finding out the water was a balmy 18 degrees – nothing like Cairns! It wasn’t too bad though, vis was about 7 metres and the reeds reminded me of James Service, but overall a good dive. Saw a few wobbygongs, sea snail, nudibranch, stingrays and a lovely little blue groper that dad would have cringed to see and not shoot! Back to the car to organise to hang wet gear as best I could before heading for Palm Beach, only to turn around and head back to the apartment as I was going to run out of time otherwise. Home, parked, showered and headed out to Darling Harbour, where Luke (friend from Mandurah) and his sister Jodie, who were on the tail end of a trip home from England were staying. Jodie had decided to come back with Luke, so this was her first time in Oz. Had a drink and caught up on the last 8 weeks before heading out for dinner, just as Steve (old next door neighbour from Singleton, same Steve we saw in Cairns) arrived on his stop-over trip from Cairns to Perth. So I went from spending a week in Sydney by myself four weeks ago to having 4 friends all there at the same time – madness! Headed out to Darling Harbour, found a seafood/steak restaurant and had the most beautiful dinner, complete with Preece red wine. Found a pub after that (who asked Jodie and I for ID – how cool!) and scanned us with the metal detector and bought Jodie her first beer... not just in Australia, but ever, a James Squire. Not hitting the spot I sacrificed myself to finish it and we headed across the bridge to another pub, Docks, until about 11.30 when jet lag was taking it’s full effect on the frequent flyers, so we departed and walked them home before catching a cab back to Steve’s place, where I crashed as soon as I hit the sack.

18th October
Woke early with my mind racing of things to do (as always – if anyone can tell me how to turn it off I would be grateful!) Hailed a taxi out the front of Steve’s place with the address of the apartments. I’m surprised the cabbie didn’t laugh at me, because it turned out to be the cheapest and shortest taxi ride ever, $4.20 (flag fare is $3.20). I was about 3 streets away. Went for a run (up more steps and hills, which I would later regret) before grabbing some stuff from the apartment and heading for Homebush and the Aquatic Centre, which happened to have a women’s triathlon running, so the main pool was closed. Jumped in the ‘training pool’ and did my 1km swim relatively comfortable, before cooling down (not that I really warmed up!) with some breaststroke. Back to George to dump wet gear and head to the Stadium for a tour of quite an amazing facility. Raced back and to the ferry wharf, knowing I would be cutting it fine and made it on the 12.13 ferry – but only just!!! Met up with Luke, Jodie and Steve at Circular Quay, with Dan not too far behind. Headed for The Rocks for lunch where we found this Italian Cafe, so we pigged out (Luke’s eyes were bigger than his belly, Steves were just watering from the chilly on his pizza) and were quite content to just sit and relax, enjoying the weather and scenery. Eventually wander back to Luke and Jodes, via the most expensive pastry/bakery, and sat there before Luke decided to visit Telstra to fix his internet. So the rest of us headed for the pub while we waited, and watched the Aussie’s struggle to get wickets against the Indians. Back home for showers before grabbing some champers and catching the train back to Lukes for pre dinner drinks. Ventured over the road for dinner, which was good and cheap, before Luke piked it not feeling well (and for the remainder of the weekend was named Princess). The four of us then took the train back to Kings Cross, and started at the Kings Cross Hotel, where we played bad pool and had a few drinks. Jodie and I made a few trips to the bathroom, with the most unique faucet facilities I’ve ever seen! Walked a bit further down the road to another pub where we had a drink, until I was falling asleep at the table (yes you all know the look I get when I’m dead tired and had one or two beverages) so I piked it about 1 and wandered home. Didn’t even hear Dan come in!

19th October
Sleep in!!! Stayed in bed and read until 9 when I jumped on the computer. Steve called at 9.45 to say he’d been kicked out so could he dump his bags in our room. Dan was still in bed (which would lead to him being called Princess by Luke) so I called Luke and we had a 5 way conversation about what the plans for the day would be. Decided to catch the ferry to Homebush and collect George before checking out Bondi. By the time we made it to Luke and Jodie’s apartment and then to the ferry wharf it was 11.30, with the next ferry to arrive at 12.10. Time for a beer! Of all of the cafe’s along the wharf, only 1 served alcohol, so by the time we found it left about 20 minutes. Jodie and Luke passed on the alcohol, while I went with a schooner (middy) and Dan and Steve tackled pints. When the ferry turned up Dan and I sculled ours, but Steve couldn’t handle it and left a halfa – and would receive criticism for the remainder of the day about it. Onto the ferry and it was the perfect day, with a slight breeze blowing we stood around the front of Dawn Fraser (name of the ferry) and took in the sights to Homebush, via an unexpected delay at a wharf while the ambulances turned up for a female passenger who was unwell. Arrived at Homebush and sorted out George for all of us to fit in. Programmed Millie for Bondi and we headed off, back through Sydney and out to Bondi... except that the beautiful weather we were having meant that everyone in Sydney had similar ideas and were also headed to Bondi. The traffic was like peak hour! After a pit-stop and refuel at a petrol station we finally made it to Bondi – which was packed like you wouldn’t believe! With no parking in a 2km radius we stayed in the car and headed for Botany, and Captain Cook’s first landing. Busier than your average Perth beach, but empty compared with Bondi we got parking and headed for a look and then lunch... at 3.30pm! Then it was time for a swim. While the boys talked themselves up I took a running entry into the water – which was bloody freezing, but managed to give a double thumbs up to Luke and Dan, who then followed with running entries... and came up with some major shrinkage issues, apparently. All 3 of us then played it up to Jodie and Steve, who also made running entries with similar outcomes – well Steve did, Jodie obviously didn’t have that issue! Dan and I went for a swim and then a race into shore (which I happened to win) before we soaked up the view and the sun. Dan and I indulged in Mr Whippy before heading off as the weather started to change back to Sydney. Steve decided we were having too much fun and decided to delay his trip to Woollongong to visit his brother Wayne, so checked into a room in our apartment for the night – coincidently right next door to ours. After doing some washing (so I didn’t have to start wearing my underwear inside out) and getting reading we were back at Luke and Jodie’s just after 8.30pm. Into Chinatown for our last meal together, where we ate and drank red wine and laughed until about 10.30pm. Found an irish pub on the way home where we stopped for another beverage, photos (with Dan taking some interesting shots) and all said what a fantastic weekend we had had. Said our goodbyes to Luke and Jodie (mine was only temporary as they were going to Melbourne) and headed home.

20th October
Early rise to be out of the apartment for 8am. Goodbye and good wished to Dan before Steve and I headed off for Manly for my second dive. Got to the dive shop to find out they hadn’t booked me in, so no instructor – bugger! Rang Steve and went for breakfast (my second) at a little cafe overlooking Cabbage Tree Bay. Headed off for Palm Beach, aka Summer Bay, was very recognisable, but due to the threatening weather, not very appealing. Various other stops along the return trip to see the beautiful scenery before deviating via Parramatta to get to Waterfall, and the start of the 140km coastal strip. The breeze was quite strong, perfect for the half dozen hang gliders floating around. Further south, the coastline was absolutely amazing, with a road that they’ve built over the water, so kinda a bridge, but doesn’t join two islands. Further down we came across the Scarborough Hotel, where stopping was a necessity. Had a beer before a phone call from Wayne, Steve’s brother, and found out we weren’t too far from his place, so decided hanging out in the pub was a good way to go. The pub was amazing, with beautiful furniture and spectacular views (just no sunsets!). Headed for Waynes after he called to say he was home, where we had a beautiful home cooked chicken kievs and salad. Sorted George out (as instead of repacking this morning I’d kinda just thrown in everything that I’d taken into Dan’s apartment) before settling down to Good News Week.

21st October
Awake at 7.30 for some blog catch-up. Shower, breaky and Steve and I left by about 10am to head south. Checked out the port and lighthouse before heading to the biggest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. This was a great place to take a step back and reflect for a change. The serenity (and it was actual serenity, not ‘The Castle’ type) was fantastic, and made me appreciate just how good life is at the moment. Steve and I both put a burning incense and said our prays/wishes/thanks before leaving, feeling very relaxed. Still heading along the coast road the next stop was Shellharbour, which was rather windy and not overly pleasant, but did have some great views of the coast. Continued south to the Kiama blowholes, which were impressive before stopping at 2pm for lunch at a thai restaurant – yummo! Said goodbye for Steve before setting Millie for Canberra, via Batemans Bay. Took photos of Seven Mile Beach along the way (which was pretty deserted, except for a whole class of kids doing surfing lessons – think I’d pass today). Stopped for more photos (yes I have gone camera/water crazy) at the Ulladulla Harbour before getting out for a walk along the beach at Batemans Bay, taking photos of the ‘locals’ relaxing in what was now rather pleasant weather. One more random stop about 50 kms from Canberra to take photos of the sun setting and rain over the mountains before stopping in Queenbeyean for a swim at the swimming pool – 1.5kms of quality work! Back to the rest stop about 700 metres away and set up for the night, cuppa soup and a muffin for dinner. Too easy!