Great Barrier Reef

15 September
Woke at 4am to hear dad leaving, and rolled back over. Woke again at 5.15 to find dad not home yet, figured the plane was running late. Mum and dad arrived not much later, and I probably really should have gotten out of bed to say hi but just couldn’t do it. Not being able to get back to sleep I got up just before 6, grabbed the camera and headed down to the beach for some sunrise photos. How’s the serenity! Few seagulls, couple of odd locals walking their dogs, the sand and the ocean. Magic. Got back and headed out onto the balcony to watch the sun come over the tops of the trees before it got too hot. Breaky and catch up with mum before we headed to the shops about 10ish (no rush!). Got back and had morning tea (vanilla slice and muffins – gee dad’s a shocker) before I ducked out for a quick waxing appointment to prepare myself for some serious sun! Back for lunch and then headed into Cairns for a walk along the foreshore – except the beach wasn’t really a beach, so they have a man made one, with all these gorgeous tanned 30ish half naked bodies walking and lying around! Feeling very white and overweight we continued our walk down to the water playground, where the kids run in and out of the streams of water coming up, across and down from various different places. They’ve also got these fitness stations, where you can do all sorts of exercises in between your run/walk. Strolling back along the shops it was time to suss out the serious stuff – diving. After lots of information and prices we headed home for chicken and salad (the first home cooked meal all trip I haven’t had to cook!) while I assessed all the information. Decided on a 3 day 3 night cruise up to the Ribbon Reefs on Taka, which departed the following day. Sorted! Great Barrier Reef, here I come!

16th September
Another cruisey morning it took us a while to get going. About 10.30 we eventually got organised enough to head up to Port Douglas, a 50 minute trip with some windy sections. Stopped at a lookout to find... no battery in the camera! Crap. Walked along the streets of Port Douglas, and found a church that I could absolutely get married (should the right guy ever turn up) with a big open window cut out of the back, which overlooked the ocean. Beautiful! Stopping at a few boutiquey shops (and buying a new dress) we stopped at a pub for lunch, and then icecreams (my first of the trip) which was sooo good! Home to pack up and at the dive shop for 3.45... with mum and dad off to find me a new battery for my underwater camera (which I’m sure has felt very neglected this trip). Paperwork done, we were on the bus to the warf. Only half full, the 14 passengers were of all abilities, nationalities and ages, but a great mix. 10 staff on board including the captain, we were going to get spoiled! Sorted out with cabins and equipment before a trip briefing (with chips and dip) in the cabin. Then time for a beer and watch the sunset on the top deck before heading down for tea – a mixture of hot and cold food it was all delicious – George the Chef knew what he was doing, and I had a feeling I was in trouble again! A hot shower (which was good, even if slightly tough with the boat moving) and bed about 10.30 – sea band on for what could be an interesting night!

17th September
Awake just before the morning wake-up call, changed and upstairs (I was sleeping on the bottom deck) to see what was instore. Boat movement overnight hadn’t been too bad, however I was glad to have my bands on. A few of the others were not quite so lucky, some getting very little sleep. For someone religiously won’t eat before a morning dive, the breakfast was far too tempting to let potential sea sickness stand in the way, but I went easy... then had half a travelcalm tablet. Challenger Bay was our first stop, and a dive with Silvie showed us what the Reef really has to offer – White Tip Reef Sharks, Turtles, Nudibranches, with 20 metres of visibility and some spectacular coral. The colours are just amazing. Back on the boat and all the dive logs come out (along with morning tea and you guessed it – muffins!) and we all compare stories of what we did and didn’t see, work out what exactly it was we saw under there and then it’s time for the next briefing. Cod Hole was the next sight, and with some surface chop Mats and I didn’t waste any time getting under the water. 2 minutes later – Potato Cod, which are bigger than I am, swimming straight past us. Mats was great, quite happy to follow me and wait when trying to take ‘that photo’. 50 minute dives in 26 degree water, so just a short arm & leg wetsuit. Back up for lunch, dive logs, photos, stories and back down again... this time to for Cod Feeding, where Ray the engineer took a bucket of tuna down to feed the cod... and the hundreds (probably more like 30) of red bass that must be able to smell the tuna. Just 1 Potato Cod to feed, at one stage he moved in a hurry and I jumped! Beautiful to watch! After 15 minutes and out of tuna we headed off on our own, Mats and I exploring again. Another 50 minute dive, back for afternoon tea, stories, log books, photos (can you see a pattern happening here?). Final dive of the day at dusk, back at Challenger Bay. Awesome visibility, beautiful conditions (still diving in a shorty wetsuit) we saw eels, cuttlefish, worms, batfish and it is just all so amazing. Back on the boat, hot shower and dinner – an absolute feast that George has prepared. Stuff ourselves full, watch the dvd of the diving that Chris (onboard photographer) has taken and then up onto the deck for some ‘fresh air’ (as the 2 sips of wine, copious amount of food and the rocking of the boat weren’t agreeing with me so much). Hung around until about 10.30 and headed to bed.

18th September & 19th September
The next two days we completed another 6 dives in 4 different locations and continued to eat ourselves stupid. We saw everything from white tip reef sharks (which are OK during the day, but when you see them at night... and then they swim into the darkness and you can’t see them anymore, it’s slightly daunting), octopus, cuttlefish, turtles, giant maori wrasse, more varieties of coral than you could ever record, lionfish, leafy, featherstars, giant clams, the list goes on. The weather was perfect (except for some rough seas for about 3 hours on Thursday night... let’s just say I was on deck until midnight when we anchored for the remainder of the night). The crew (Adam, George, Dan, Jessica, Jimmy, Kirsten, Ray and Captain Jack) were all fantastic and the divers really were a great bunch of people. From people who had only done their four open water dives, to dive masters with over 400 logged dives, we were all able to take something different away from the trip (other than the few kilos that most of us would have stacked on!).

We arrived back at 3pm on the 19th, and Mum and Dad had walked down and met us there. Said goodbye to everyone, deciding to meet up at the Rattle and Hum bar in town the following night. Grabbed our bags and headed back to the unit, where I did the slideshow of photos for the folks, before having a nanna nap (I’d had a full tablet that morning, plus two dives, I was due a sleep!). Woke up and went for a quick dip in the pool (which was bloody freezing!) before Steve Hoban, who has been working about 90 minutes from Cairns and was due to head home the next day, came by for tea. Had a drink before heading into town for Mexican, which was pretty good! Walked through the streets and the annual Festival of Cairns was on, so there were street performers and entertainers everywhere. Stopped for a Swiss ice cream before heading back to the unit to watch Geelong wipe the Bulldogs out of the final series. Slept like a baby!

Bring in on Brisbane!

12th September
Shower in a full size bathroom! Rob had already left for work, so the rest of us had breakfast and Dad and I finalised suitcases before saying good bye to Jo and heading for the airport. Very interesting the tunnel and toll system in Sydney – we Sandgropers don’t realise how lucky we are not to pay road tolls (touch wood!). Made the airport in good time, said goodbye to Uncle Fred and Aunty Maureen who were driving George back and checked in. Visited Gloria Jeans for some drinks while we waited, and then proceeded to spill my hot chocolate all over my laptop bag! Near the back we boarded and set up for the hour flight. No lunch (much to dad’s disgust) he sufficed with his (and my) cookie and a cuppa. Arriving in Brisbane ahead of schedule, we grabbed our bags (nearly forgetting one) and headed for the airbus – the train which pulls up right outside the domestic and international airports... something WA could do with! Matt and Jaspreet picked us up from Southbank Station, and it was so good to see both of them. Back to their place, cuppa and a new card game – Siera Mania, Jas and Dad onto me and Matt. A game where you add and take points, depending on who wins the round... and the loosers always deal the next hand. Played until we headed down the road for tea, Uncle Ben’s Chinese. Food was great, and the bottle of Pinot Noir from Adinfern in Margs (that had travelled with me) went down a treat. Back with copious amounts of leftovers we continued cards until 11 or so, still with no winner. Matt got a good workout while pumping up the air mattress for me and we hit the sack.

13th September
Up early and onto the balcany (in shorts and a t-shirt at 7 in the morning – beautiful one day, perfect the next is right!). Dad and I headed inside about 8 when this beautiful smell wafted out though the doors... to find Matt and Jas cooking up a storm! Falls Creek eat your heart out! After stuffing ourselves we decided to head out for a walk through Southbank. So while Matt and Dad took off ahead, Jas and I ambled our way down the streets, past the man made beach, the markets, beautiful bougainvillea archways, across the river to the Botanic Gardens and Matts Uni and back to the cafe strip, where we stop for a drink (and rest) in an Indian Cafe. Back to the unit, we took up the cards again... and Matt and I came up trumps, winning the game (after 3 sessions!). A bit weary, we had left over chinese and watched a movie, Stardust, which we thoroughly enjoyed! Time to get ready for... THE RUGBY! Bledisloe Cup was the reason we were there, for the deciding match between the Wallabies and All Blacks. Caught a bus, which takes you to the stop right underneath Suncorp Stadium, beautiful! The stadium, which had 58 000 people in for the game, was really well set up, very impressive. Not feeling overly flash (the cough had taken a bit of a hold) I wasn’t allowed to scream my guts out (probably why they didn’t quite make it over the line). However the whole stadium standing on their feet to watch the last play was pretty amazing. Despite the result, it was a great game. Made a dash for the busses (along with 58 000 others) and were moved through pretty quickly. Unfortunately we missed the stop (no, i’m not laying blame anywhere) and got off at the next one, along with the next 4 busses that pulled in, who had passengers with similar problems. After 15 minutes (and about 15 express busses that went zooming past) we had one stop and drop us back at the right stop. A short walk home, quick rehash of the game and bed!

14th September
Woke up, coughed a bit and had a shower before reorganising my gear back into bags. Matt got up and cooked us another huge feast which we ate outside on the balcony. Yummo! Matt and Jaspreet were off to a christening, but I’d been intouch with Clare Love who was having a few people over at her place (about 7 minutes away) so Aaron Willcock came and pick Dad and I up. Spent about 2 hours at their place, along with about 6 others, while they too had a massive breakfast, although at 11.30, it was probably more like brunch! Aaron apparently takes after his father when it comes to cooking bbq’s with the house filling with ash (just a little oil fire, nothing serious apparently!). Had a pancake (so dad wouldn’t feel bad about eating ... again!) which was yummy before Clare and Aaron dropped us off at the train stating in South Brisbane. Bought our tickets and on at 12.33, getting to the airport just after 1pm. Checked in, baggage labelled and they called for our flight for baggage check-in. Qued up for ages before getting our bags on. Straight to the gate, about 5 minute wait before being called – so that was kinda close! I updated the blog while dad read (slept) and watched tv. At one stage there were 17 ships all facing the same way out of the window, as well as some beautiful coastline and islands. Landed in Cairns (warm!) collected the baggage and the hire car – near new Aurion. I got the first drive and boy – did she pick up a bit better than George! After a few missed streets (accidental of course) we found our accommodation and checked in. The Manager – Brian Williams (good bloke dad said) showed us our room (tv, air conditioning, kitchen, laundry – what were we going to do with all these mod cons?) we headed back down the road (driving of course – dad wasn’t getting the keys in a hurry!) for some cereal, drinks and fish and chips for tea about 6pm. Flicked tv stations (all this choice and do you think I could find something to keep it on other than golf???) when we came across Shrek 3 and then Pulp Fiction, which Dad had never seen! Bed about 10.30 – big day tomorrow!

The Capital (that's Canberra folks!)

8th September
Woke up at 8 – the most sleep I had had in.... who knows how long! Completely full of the cold by now, I was in no hurry to get up, but checked with dad what was on the menu for breakfast... weetbix and milk – what, no muffins? :-) Not that I was all that hungry. Did some washing and went into town for a bit while we waited for it to dry. Pulling out of the caravan park and we hear this almighty SMASH! There was a space between the roof and the top of the cupboards that we had been putting a fluro for more light, and we had forgotten to take it back down again, so needless to say, there was glass and powder all over the floor. So first stop was the hardware/ski/camping store in town for a new one, and some Velcro to stick it to the cupboard! Bakery for lunch, grab the washing and on the road again. Expecting a drive similar to the ‘challenging’ one I had on the way in I gladly let dad have first shift, but it was remarkably flat. Over the Murray River and into NSW. Stopped in Albury for fuel and then a quick drive through the northern end to find some food and oil for George. Not far down the road and we stopped outside the Ettamogah Pub for some photos (and on any other day it would have also been for a beer)! On the road to Gundigi (not the actual road, but one of them), we did stop there and check out the Dog on the Tuckerbox (now how good is your Aussie History folks? Google it if you don’t know) and afternoon tea (and more cookies and fruit cake!). Getting late in the day we made it to Yass, about 65kms short, and called it a night once we had found the caravan park (at a bargain $21 a night – and my turn to pay too!). Another alcohol free, early night for me!

9th September
Woke up after a rather chilly night! Packed up and realised we’d left the tap fitting for the hose in Murray Bridge – whoops! Out of Yass and onto Canberra, stopping about 10am at the Cockington Gardens, which is a larger version of Abington Miniature Village in Ravenswood. The detail that goes into the buildings is amazing, with over 3000 hours going into one exhibit. Into the visitors centre in town (after some more of nanna’s fruitcake and cookies) and to the visitors centre to suss out the caravan parks. Then it was onto Telstra Tower, which has a beautiful 360 degree view of the City. Onto the Botanic Gardens, where we weren’t even going to scratch the surface of the 40 hectares of bushland. A couple of hours walking and with dad’s legs getting sore (soft!) we took a drive into the City Capital, and had a look and a tour through Old Parliament House. Very interesting how little I know about Australian Politics! Leaving there at 5pm when they kicked us out we headed for the ‘recommended’ caravan park, grabbing some food on the way. Rocked up and we were a little disappointed with the park, with it being quite expensive (although it was dad’s turn to pay so it wasn’t that bad) and not the flashest of facilities. They did have internet though, so I got on that for a bit while dad read his (or should I say my) book, as he had already finished the two he brought with him.

10th September
Frost on the ground, frost on the car, and yes, I’m still sleeping outside! Packed up and headed for the AIS. Wow – so much memorabilia, facilities and information. With a dedicated $17 million pool just for the swim team, complete with moveable starting blocks to make it 2 x 25m facilities, only the swim team, coaches and biomechanics are allowed in this facility. We checked out the weights room – about the size of two basketball courts, with more bikes than I had time to count. The weight plates were from the Sydney Olympics, specially made so they would bounce when dropped, were $1000 for the 10k and $2000 for the 20k plates ... and there were quite a few of them! We left there (after some souvenir shopping) and took a drive to find the Fyshwick Markets, driving past Manuka Oval, only to find out the markets don’t open Monday to Wednesday (and whilst we’ve been on Saturday since leaving, I don’t think they would take that as a good reason to open!) Stopped quickly at Coles before heading to the northern foreshore and eating lunch, in front of the Captain Cook Globe. Sir Robert Menzie’s Walk goes along the river between the bridges, so we went about half way along that before going into the Australian Capital Exhibition, which was really interesting, and had a light show over a map of Canberra showing geometrical the city was, and where all the major points of interest were – very cleverly designed. Headed to Mt Ainslie to check it out with a birds eye view, before deciding to get set up early and heading for a (different) caravan park, only to find when we go there we were missing the ground sheet from under the annex (long story). Anywho, spent the next hour going between the caravan park the night before with no luck to a multitude of shops to find a replacement, with Woolies eventually coming up the winner. Couldn’t resist the Macca’s out the front though, so fries became entre, followed by cheese and biscuits, and needless to say not much for tea!

11th September
Woke up during the night – minus 2 degrees on the thermometer! High Karumba!! Got packed up, repacked and unpacked my bags for the plane and we headed off to Questacon, which I envisaged to be a building with different scientific information... turns out it’s just a different version of Scitech, which mean, full of school kids! We battled on through the first couple of rooms before finding it a bit more peaceful further up. Whilst I was a bit off put to begin with, there was a lot of really interesting information, and we spent a couple of hours learning a whole lot of science stuff. Lunch overlooking Burley Griffin Lake before heading off. Stopped in Goulburn to check out the Big Merino, which stands 15.2 m high and weighs 97 tonnes. Quick look through town (Dad even resisted buying anything from the bakery) before heading into Rouse Hill, about an hour out of Sydney, to stay the night with Rob and Jo. Uncle Fred and Aunty Maureen were over from Perth, so it was great to catch up with them too. Still full of the cold, the red wine was flowing but I could only manage about half a glass – my first drink since Saturday. An early night all round and nice to be sleeping inside.

Snow, skiing and snowmen

4th September

Stev and I had now become very good at dragging ourselves out of bed 10 minutes before breaky, to still make it down for 8am. Flexal (numbing version of deep heat) was now going onto my calves, knees and quads, and I’m sure my ski pants, which are fabulous but do get rather hot and sweaty, were going to walk themselves back to the hire shop at the end of the week. The weather had dramatically improved during the week, going from thermals, beanies and kneck and face warmers to headbands, sunglasses and t-shirts... under our ski jackets and gloves of course – the ice burns on Stev’s arms was a great reminder to keep covered up, regardless of how hot you were. Lesson number 5 and after a warm-up Chris took us onto Main Street, the next blue slope up from Highway 83. When you can’t see what’s over the edge, and still aren’t overly confident in your skiing ability, it’s more than just a little daunting! But we all survived! Piece of cake (pftt!). Back for lunch (Mexican – yummo!) before hitting the slopes again, this time with the video camera in toe to get some ‘knarly’ snowboarding and skiing action of our crew and Rusty before he left on Friday. Met up at 3pm to ski to the village for Harvey Wallbanger Hour, which runs from 3.30 to 4.30 every Tuesday and Thursday at the Falls Creek Hotel. At $30 a jug they weren’t cheap, but a good way to kick start what was set to be a big evening. 6 jugs later (although the photos show 7) with even Dad (who doesn’t drink) slamming them back, Stev and I playing some coin hockey and chilling to the guitarist playing the classics we were all pretty happy. Make our way back home about 5 for an early tea to head back to the village for the last night show of the season, where the instructors, Milo Kids, and staff show us how it’s really done, under lights, on the Summit (hardest run on the mountain). Even Steven Lee, Australian Olympic Downhill skier was there, and boy, can he ski fast! Note for future reference - drinking cans of beer, with no stubby holder, in the snow, is a great way to freeze your fingers off. With fireworks to finish the evening we headed in the Frying Pan, the pub just outside The Summit slope, which was packed! We grabbed the fooseball table and the boys showed us how it was done... or not, which was definitely the case when 2 Austrians gave Rusty and Dan a pantsing (I got out as soon as the Austrian's approached – nobody needs to see that!). Ran into my ski instructor Chris, and after a couple of beers offered me a free lesson the following day – sweet! Chatted with some of my other ski class, and some other students, listened to some bad karaoke, drank some more beer... lots of beer and we headed home around 2 in the morning....

5th September
Lesson number 1 – skiing is hard work, requires lots of concentration, coordination and energy. Lesson number 2 – skiing is much harder when you wake up with a hangover, however Lesson number 3 is that should you have a hangover, skiing is actually quite a good cure, provided you can survive the first 20 or so minutes!

Woke up, dragged myself down to breakfast – just toast, hashbrowns, juice, tea and water, lots of water (if there had been coke I would have jumped at it). Change over day, so all the Kyogle people left, and a whole bunch – 37 – of Adelaide people rocked up in their place, so it was a bit crazy, and noisey - god damb it!! Generally aged between late 20’s to late 30’s, there was quite a bit of eye candy, both of the male and female variety! Flexal was now going onto the quads and knees, either my calves had toughen upped, or just lost all feeling. Did a run down Drovers to make sure I could still ski and wondered why I had committed to a lesson! Our regular class of 11 had dropped to just 5 (plus me freeloading made 6). Saw Uncle Ross, Aunty Jacqui and Daniel head of in the Helicopter to Mt Hotham for the day. Made an easy run down Last Hoot via some other crossing paths, and I had the feeling Chris was going to take it easy on us... that and a few of the other students were still having some problems. From there we worked our way over to the Village, and headed up a chair lift, and when I asked where we were headed and ‘it’s a surprise’ was the answer I was more than a little concerned. Ruin Castle was the answer, and with Uncle Ross having attempted it for the first time 2 days earlier I was now hungover and more than slightly scared! Taking us down very easy (and helping one of the students down as she’d had a couple of stacks) we made it to the bottom! Hurray! Some technique runs down Playground (green run) and class over, headache gone and Ruin Castle completed! Organised to meet them for a drink at Silverski that night. Headed back for lunch and collapsed into the chair. Dad, Stev and I headed back up with the video camera to take some more footage, and get the crew returning from Hotham... except their flight was late so when they didn’t turn up we headed back down. Completely exhausted I hit the pool, and spa’s when Stev and Dan turned up. Of the four spa’s the Adelaidians had claimed most of the space, so to say it was a tight squeeze was an understatement. Starting with beers (yes, no rest from alcohol with these boys) the organiser of the Adelaide trip apparently gets free accommodation for organising the trip each year... and spends the equivalent in alcohol! So on top of the beers we drank what we first thought was baileys, and turned out to be cs cowboys, out of a goon bag, getting our allocated ‘pour’ straight into our mouth – classy or what! If you were lucky he didn’t miss and dribble down your mouth or worse, score a drop or two in the eye, which stung! Up for a shower, cocktail (Midori Splice, which has cream, not a good idea!) and then Dan and I took a stroll over to the Silverski, as Stev had been suffering all day after having a multivitamin the night before on an empty stomach. Met up with 3 of the class and Chris (where Chris and Dan talked about black runs and international slopes), had a few more ‘quiet’ beers before they headed off and Dan and I took a trip via The Man, which was dead, before heading home.

6th September
Feeling pretty good after a relatively quiet night, we all bought day lift passes and hit the mountain once again. We did a run down Drovers before Dan and Stev went to tackle some blue runs while the ‘parents’ and I headed over to Playground to show dad the run and the pommel, where instead of a chair lift to get back to the top of the run, a rope with a circular base that fits between your legs pulles you back up the mountain. After doing about 3 runs on this rather icey slope my knees were pleading not to go up the pommel anymore, so we headed back to Drovers and Highway 83 – where we made our snow angels! Caught up with Dan, who was tackling the racetrack, so we propped ourselves halfway down the run to get some photos and see if he could beat 25 seconds, which he did, twice! Lunch to refuel (and rest!) turned out to be an outside bbq! The first one they’d ever had, there was still copious amounts to eat, but we enjoyed it in t-shirts sitting outside (on chairs of course, only snowboards sit in the snow! Hehe) A couple more runs and I’d had it – my body could no longer sustain this! Stopped in at Cloud Nine for an extended break before meeting back up with the crew and deciding to head back down Wombats with Dad, without realising this would be the last time. The difference between day 1 and day 7 was amazing, watching other very inexperienced skiers zig zagging right across the run, and timing the moments when you could pass them. Going down most of the run without parallel turns to slow us down, what took probably 25 minutes the first day without stops would have been lucky to take 10, with three stops for dad to catch up and catch your breath. Completely knackered, headed to dad’s room for a bit (cos it had a tv) and watched some footy before the rest of the crew turned up. Back to the pool/spa (with more beers/cowboys), happy hour drinks (more beer), tea and then to The Man, which was packed. More beers, lots of eye candy and good music we were set for the night. A good (big) last night in Falls Creek!

7th September
So I can’t walk properly, my clothes that I came with don’t fit due to the food and alcohol consumption, I have two massive bruises, (another) hangover and a cold. Stev beat me out of bed for the first time all week... and I mumbled that I’d be down soon... Managed 8.30 and found Dan still eating. I was the last guest to leave from breakfast, and the rest of the crew had headed for a walk to check out the ‘shopping’, so when I finished and had packed up (how did I get all my gear into my bags?) I went for a similar walk and found the post office, general store (and poweraide) and a few other shops. Got back and found Dad and Stev in the lounge about 11am. Jumped on the net for a bit before lunch, before deciding that an arvo of skiing at $75 was not worth the pain and suffering it was likely to cause, so we opted for a walk into the village and a go at the Tube Rides, down a controlled slope that had been hollowed out. Dan met us there (as he’d skipped lunch in favour of nailing a few more runs) and joined us for a break. Was lots of fun, even if the boys weren't able to take running starts! After half an hour of shooting down the ice in a tube Stev, Dad and I walked back home. No muffins for afternoon tea (dad was devastated!) I sufficed on more liquids. Watched some footy in the theatre room (only time I’d been in there) before we organised our bags and headed down to the coach collection point. Last minute photos, goodbyes and the Williams’ and Stev were on their way home, with Dad and I not far behind. Good trip back to Mount Beauty, we got back to George to find out... flat battery. Crap. After trying a number of options, dad asked for some assistance, and a few more options we ended up with some help from the Coach Service and a towed rolling start got George firing again, 45 minutes after arrival. Checked in at the caravan park before finding the local shop and some cold and flu medication, ordering pizza and watching some tv in the common room at the caravan park. In bed by 10pm after a good hot shower!

Snow Snow Snow!

Sunday 31st August
Whoo Hooo Hooo!!! The skiing trip has finally arrived! Woke up and ... it was still raining! Cleared up a bit while we packed up, and headed across the road to drop off George and board the coach. Rain started back up on our (slow) way up the mountain, but it was much better than having to drive through it. Nearing the top and the rocks changed colour to white... no wait, that’s SNOW! Got to the top – pouring with rain – and made a dash up the mountain in our ‘over snow boots’ (like ugg boots but waterproof). Into the accommodation, strip off because it’s so warm, and kitted up in our gear. Was a good morning to be messing around getting organised with the ferral weather. Lunch and todays was all you can eat pasta! No more cooking, cleaning, washing, shopping for a whole week! Free lifts this afternoon so we decided to tackle the top of the mountain so Aunty Jacqui, Uncle Ross and Daniel gave us our first lessons... and runs down Mousetrap, the beginner, basic run, where the hardest part is getting back on the travelator to take you back to the top. A few runs of that (and just one minor stack), and when the rain turned to hail we decided to have a break. Into Cloud 9 (cafe right on top of the mountain) for a drink and ... my first beer of the ski trip! Back out for another couple of runs when the weather cleared up, then down the chair lift to collect Cousin Stev. Sorted rooms and gear until afternoon tea, and then stayed in the lounge and Cock and Bull Pub (the next room across) until tea, with happy hour drinks in both from 5 -7pm. Then, about 6pm came the first real snow of the trip, so we went outside (in short sleeve shirts and jeans) to watch it snow – absolutely amazing and just like the movies! Tea, which is 3 courses with choices of 3 for each – tough! Then Dan and I took a walk to walk some of it off and check out a couple of the locals – honestly, you could do the best pub crawl through a ski village, and with hidden entertainment like throwing snowballs at each other and kicking the snow just makes for a quick walk! First stop was Silverski, with a Jamaican teacosy wearing guitarist, who was rather good. Next was a massive trek down to the Frying Pan, which was a bit quiet, and a rather long game of pool (long because of our inept ability to play or because we were inhibited by the alcohol is unknown). From there headed back to The Man, apparently the traditional last stop of the night. Just a quiet one before heading to home just before midnight. The big question - could this be sustained all week???

1st September
Not feeling too bad. Breakfast at 8, cereal, juice, muffins, and everything from pancakes, hashbrowns, bacon, eggs, baked beans and toast it was like a feast! Lesson at 10 with Zuzana so a quick run down Mousetrap to try and remember what we’d done the day before. Weather was ferral, cold, windy and really bad visibility, plus sore standing around. Got Mousetrap down pat! Back for lunch before Steve and I went for another lesson, mine with Ivo – Mousetrap again, then slow down Wombats Ramble, which goes all the way back to our accommodation, and the bottom of the chairlift. Back to the top, met with Steve, Ross and Daniel and did Wombats again – pain and agony, snowplowing all the way down! But, like they say in the snowboarding lingo, ‘fully sick on fresh powder’. After a hard day skiing it was time for ... an outside spa! Bathers is not something you would normally consider at a ski resort, but the swim in the pool and spa was totally worth the freezing condition you have to get out in. Even the VB, which was the only drink they sold in cans, was bearable! More drinks at happy hour and Rusty, who we’d run into earlier in the day, joined us for a drink and stayed on for tea, before Dan and I took Steve and Rusty out to Silverski and The Man, where a $10 jug was going to be hard to top all week!

2nd September
Weather had improved slightly, made breaky at 8 before heading back up the mountain for a 10am lesson, this time with Chris. Started on Wombats, then onto Drovers, nice and slow, before moving onto an attempt to parallel turns. Feeling pretty weary, Stev and I headed back up the mountain for some photos (nice to get on the chairlift without skis and ski boots!) as it had cleared up again, before having showers and relaxing in the lounge, while the ‘olds’ had their spa. Happy hour beers, and Rusty joined us for tea again before a few games of Pass the Ace with the 7 of us before a (relatively) early night.

3rd September
OK,whoever’s sick idea it was to put steps all through our accommodation was obviously trying to torture us! Flexal (numbing cream) on my calves so I could walk, and with a nicely coloured bruise on the inside of my thigh from the day before, I was worried about what was to come. Another lesson with Chris, and we started on Drovers before tackling Highway 83 - a blue run. Wholy Crap - I hope he knows what he's doing! First run was down through the trees before going down the slightly steeper slope and... made it! 4 lessons and onto the blue runs! And when exactly will this become enjoyable? :-) Lunch and all bar Dad headed back up, where it had started to clear up and the visibility had improved again from the morning. Met up with Rusty, with more runs down Drovers (now a piece of cake), then onto Highway before we all headed home (slowly) down Last Hoot – another blue run. Grabbed dad and off back up the hill, but this time in over-snow shoes instead of skis to make our snowman! So 6 of us adults proceeded to create ‘Charles’, whilst dodging snowballs, flying snow and random skiers! We were rather chuffed with our final creation, with Charles standing about 6’ high, and proudly wearing his supporter gear, and sporting a freshly peeled carrot from our kitchen. Home for showers and squeeze in a happy hour drink, before tea and The Pretty Valley Poker Challenge! 6 of us and 7 from Kyogle (other guests) split ourselves between two tables to play a bit of Texas Holdem, and when it came down to the final 6 only 3 of us were remaining – Aunty Jacqui, Stev and myself. With a nice bluff to win a round and stay in the game, 6 became 4 and then 3, with Aunty Jacqui, myself and the last remaining Kyogle player. Once he went all in with Aunty Jacqui, and she cleaned up it was all over, with the red wine and Pretty Valley thermometers (yes, so now we had two) going to first and second we had beaten the lot! With 90% of the coin, Aunty Jacqui didn’t take long to wipe me out to be declared the first Pretty Valley Poker Champion! Dan and I then headed into the Cock and Bull for a quiet drink, and then a port, before heading to bed.

Hello Victoria!

Wednesday 26th August

Up early (7am) after being woken at 5.30am by a swarm (cos they were more annoying than a flock!) of Galahs! Freezing – close to freezing temps! Although it took a while to get out and didn’t leave until after 8.30. Quick stop in town for something for tea, and on our way again. Stopped in Tintinara for morning tea on our way across the border and into the Grampians. Here I was expecting a big sign like WA / SA to say we were heading into Vic, and just happening to need a ‘stop’ about the right time we pulled into a bay to find 5 signs that said “Welcome to Victoria”. What a let down!!! On to Horsham where we searched and searched for a thermometer (so when dad was complaining about it being cold and I was calling him soft he could back it up) and a toaster (so dad could toast his crumpets on the gas stove when we were in between caravan parks). After about 6 we found a thermometer but no luck on the toaster, we stopped for lunch, petrol and the tourist bureau to suss out the must see spots. Up into the high country, and with some pretty steep drops down the side of the road I don’t think Mum would have enjoyed the trip much! J Went to MacKenzie Falls and powered down the steps, thinking how good this would be for skiing training! The Falls were quite beautiful, although not at full capacity, which must be amazing. Back up the 269 steps and our quads knew all about it by the top! Then went for a walk to the lookout from the top of the Driving to Halls Gap I caught a glimpse of the sunset and we pulled into Reed Lookout, which had a couple of vantage points and the most amazing sunset over the ranges. Perfect timing, although pretty damb chilly! Struggled to find the caravan park, so stopped at the servo for directions, and dad managed to find his toaster - $4! Caravan park was pretty much empty, with no-one in sight! Beautiful facilities all to ourselves! Magic :-)

Thursday 27th August
After hitting the snooze button on my phone for the third time decided it was time to get up for a run. Leaving dad in the van (with the heater going mind you) I took off, but didn’t get very far before stopping to take photos (on my old digital) of a pack of roos grazing. Turned out taking a camera is great to capture things, not so good for a continuous run though, stopping to take photos of the sunrise, birds and street signs (for you Michelle!). Got back (after a straight run home) packed up for what we thought would be a couple of hours exploring a couple of extra sights – wrong! First stop was the National Park and Cultural Centres, which had great information on the aboriginal history of the place, the seasons, the development of the region. From there we moved on to Wonderland Carpark, which takes you on a 5.5km return loop to the Pinacle Lookout -2.5 to 3 hrs they though! Pftt – no way! So we set off cameras and water in hand, uphill. Past the Grand Canyon where they were abseiling and on, and on, and on. Took us an hour to reach the summit, stoping for multiple photos along the way (not to catch our breath!!!) but the view was amazing! Took us an hour. Trip back down was easier but having to be careful still took 45 minutes. In the car and off to Turret Falls, where we stopped for morning tea (more of nannas fruitcake and cookies) and took the 1km return trip along a small track to the waterfall. Next stop was at Reed Lookout, where we had been the previous evening to walk to The Balconies, 2km return trip, and another spectacular view. Back to the car and starting to weary, we made a quick stop at Zumstein, one of the first white settlements in the Grampians, before checking out the view at Boroka Lookout before heading out of the Grampians about 3.3pm. Both weary we only made it as far as Maryborough and the caravan park just out of town – which was very small (only 10 sites, plus motel accommodation) but each site had it’s own ensuite! You truly don’t appreciate how good a whole bathroom is to yourself until you’ve spent 2 weeks without!

Friday 28th August
Out of the caravan park by 8.30 we headed for a look in town.... wow – for what seemed a reasonable size town it was dead! We walked from the post office to the Railway Station, which Mark Twain had commented looked like the town had been tacked onto the station, approx a kilometre, and saw maybe 2 people the way there and back! Past a school, businesses and houses, and we could not get over how empty the town was. The 2 hours we thought we’d spend took 45 minutes and we headed for Bendigo. Singing along to Bon Jovi (that’s for you Megs) the trip went quickly, and before we knew it we were back in suburbia, but with a country feel to it. Quick walk through town, check out the Town Hall (with gold leaf all through it), local streets and the multiple Bendigo Banks (which I just had to withdraw money from). To the pub that Dad had been to last time in town, The Foundary! Two courses for $12, and the best chicken parma I’ve had in a long time! Over to the Central Deborah Gold Mine, which is what the town is built around, and a ticket for the mine and tram tour through town. Tram tour was great for some history, but the underground tour was really interesting, expanding on what we heard in Kal, and being able to see real gold in the mine walls, and the underground crib, bogger and volcanic rock pointing to the gold seams. Leaving there headed to the local 50m pool for a swim, which was fantastic after not swimming for the best part of 3 weeks! Did 1.5kms (all quality too Rod!) and felt great, although very different when you don’t know the pool! Out to the Golden Nugget Caravan Park (with free internet!) to set up camp for the night. Makeshift tea consisted mainly of wine, cheese and biscuits for me (to empty the fridge of course!)

Saturday 30th August
1 day til skiing! :-) Washing first up, trip into town to see if we could find some ski boots to save hiring them, stopped for Subway and fuel ($1.679) when it started raining, so we hightailed it back to get the washing off the line. Stopped at Bendigo Pottery for a look – kilns were huge, and pottery rather pricey, but did get to see some being ‘thrown’. On the road around 12 following Millie’s directions to Mount Beauty. Stopped in Rushworth for a change of drivers and happened to visit the bakery.... and one of the best hot chocolates! Drove onto and off the highway to check out the Weary Dunlop memorial at Benella, and had a quick squiz through the art gallery, and a painting by Albert Namatjira. 15kms down the road and we stopped again at Glenrowan, where the infamous Ned Kelly and his gang had their final show down. Another stop to hear the story, read the articles, see the artefacts and view the gunfight location. Great history lessons! Back on the road – last stretch to Mt Beauty. With the rain still falling it made for an ‘interesting’ and slow trip up and back down the mountain, and for dad to have kittens again as I was driving! All good, even if we did most of the trip in 2nd and 3rd gear, maxing out at about 45kms an hour. Pulled into town, which is quite large, just before dusk. Dad sorted out some snow boots while I organised the camp site (my turn to pay). Quick view of the sports news in the lounge before setting up – and dad finding 3NE Radio station, and their Saturday Night Jukebox hits – all 60’s and 70’s music - which sounded exactly like one of his tapes! I couldn’t really complain, as he’d put up with a fair bit of Triple J, but with some of the classics (Shout, Yellow Pokerdot Bikini, I’ve Been Everywhere, Blue Suede Shoes... yes folks sad!) :-).