Mornington Peninsular

1st December – holy crap!!!
Woke to the sun shining though the back window – the one day I didn’t shut the curtains!! Rolled over, but was up by 8am. Breakfast, shower, internet and paid up by 9.30 I decided to do some washing so I would have a legitimate excuse for hanging around. Over to do the laundry and noticed on the way back the lid to the box was open... and broken!!! What a shame! So I pulled it off and threw it in the big bin. Hung out the washing before doing the dished and sweeping George when the rains hit – and it was heavy! So I had to hang around for a bit longer for the washing to re-dry, so while I was listening to the cricket decided I might tackle the box. Started on the ladder with the screwdriver (that I’d bought a couple of days ago) and got the first few screws out relatively easily. Eventually snuck over to a neighbouring table and ‘borrowed’ an outdoor chair to stand on, and got the rest of the screws out, got the box off the roof and retuned the chair. Started pulling it apart, undoing the screws I got two sides off before realizing it could be pulled apart – yay! Saw a van coming and walked back to the side door of George when the manager asked (jokingly) what I was still doing there. ‘Waiting for my washing to dry, damb Melbourne weather’. ‘What’s with the screwdriver?’ ‘Just fixing some stuff up while I wait’ (luckily he was far enough down the road to not be able to see the box.). He drove off and I made fast work of the rest of the box... well at least until I was interrupted by Jack and Charlotte, 3 and 2 year olds who lived in the park and were very inquisitive. After entertaining them for about half an hour I said I needed to go and have lunch, so sent them on their way about 1pm when I had lunch and the brought the washing in (mostly dry) before mopping the floor (with a sponge – lucky it’s not a bit floor!) and having an interesting chat with a park resident who was deaf. Drove out just after 2pm headed for Mornington. Parked the car and walked the main street to the visitors centre, before heading back to Coles and then over to a hair dressers – I was in desperate need of a cut!!! Some crazy man was in the car park destroying his (or someone else’s) car (with a hammer!), so one of the hairdressers was on the phone to the police when I arrived, and when the cops finally showed up the chase was on through the car park. Bit of excitement for the afternoon. Headed from there to the marina, which was beautiful and walked along the beach past the old ‘change rooms’ on the beachfront. One was named Sugar Shack, so after that do you think I could get the song out of my head (for those of you who don’t know it don’t worry, it’s probably about 50 years old!!!). Left there for Hastings where I found the caravan park and checked in before heading off for a run at 7.20ish on the path through the wetlands. Ran back and on to the Marina and then the rec centre for times and prices before getting back and cooking up a massive honey mustard stir fry (with some alternative ingredients) and enjoying a Punt Road cider. Had a shower and finished up about midnight.

2nd December
Up, breakfast, run (sat in bed for a long time contemplating a swim, then figured you probably couldn’t get to the water without damaging the wetlands – cop out perhaps...) in the other direction along the foreshore and back through town. Shower and gone by 10.30am quick stop at the Post Office and onto Stony Point, via the Cerberus Naval Base. Had intended to look at the museum, but was too hard to find someone to pay so I did the 1.6km walk instead. Headed out for a quick look at the harbour over to French and Phillip Islands before heading to the Ashcombe Maze. Quick lunch before heading in and through the first half of the first maze fairly easily. In the middle I tackled the other side, and couldn’t find my way out... until I realized there was no way out! Walked around the rest of the gardens, through the roses and lavender (after trying to capture a good photo of a bee on a lavender bush... about 25 photos later.........). Found the Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm after leaving there, where I paid to pick my own strawberries (which I’m sure dad will find amusing...and no, I won’t be paying to pick yours when I get back!). Sample of their wines (nope – can’t drink strawberry wines anymore – way to sweet!) before I found Arthurs Seat, which happens to be in Arthurs Seat, although the place was named by the first settlers because it looked like a place in Edenbrough. Wow – Flinders must have thought he’d rediscovered paradise when he climbed this mountain; the views over Port Phillip Bay were extraordinary. Even with the clouds the view here, and then along the circuit walk, were just amazing. The national park was previously owned by William Rickett, so a few of his sculptures were there, although quite badly damaged. Back to the car and I was feeling rather average, so had some sugar to try and perk me up as I drove to Arthurs Seat Maze, which was closed, before heading down the hill into Rosebud, where I came across this campground on the beach that had ablutions and powered sites but no office. Pulled up, plugged in and decided a nap would be a good idea, so read for a bit before catching about 20 minutes. Just before 7pm I found an open ablution block, still no signs or information on the park, so I figured I head in for a drive through town and come back for the night. Found a library that closed at 8pm on Tuesdays so jumped on the net until then, and still light went for a short walk before finding the cinema, with Tight Arse Tuesday and Australia on at 8.30pm – magic! Back to the car for some jeans and dinner (stir fry left overs on the stove top – yum!!) and was back in 20 minutes – how good is that!!! The movie was amazing (although they could have spent some time getting real kangaroos instead of what looked to be cgi) but I thought it was fantastic. Now slightly raining I got into George to find water dripping from the rear view mirror – strange! Drove the 2 minutes to the caravan park, plugged in and tried to find the problem before finding a bucket instead (although it had stopped dripping). Bed about 12.30am I guess.

3rd December
Raining outside so I rolled back over and BANG BANG BANG. Opened the window to find the caretaker I guess out there “How’s it going” Better before you woke me up “Yeah good thanks”. Anyway, turns out my free campsite isn’t free, but $26 a night – crikey! No cash I said I’d fix them up later. In no hurry (if the office was closed when I got there so be it) I had breaky and prepared for a triathlon... well sort of. Decided to head off on a bike ride (and pay my camping fees) go for a swim, ride back and then go for a run, make sure I remembered how it all worked! So about 11am I set off and ended up riding all the way to Sorrento, where the bay was a bit more protected so went for my swim. Bit chilly, which made me swim a bit faster but very nice. Back up for the return ride where I stopped at the office to pay (and the girl only charged me $20 for an unpowered site). Back to George where I put the bike on the racks, stuck on my sneakers and took off along the beach, which was great until I realised I was running with the wind! Turned around and ran back to my starting point, and then bribed myself to keep going to the jetty (with chocolate and a wine if you want to know) which I did and then had an easy run back, just over half an hour in total, with the whole lot taking about 2.15. Water, sugar and then lunch before a shower and small load of washing (in a real free washing machine!) and dishes. Walked over to Coles for a couple of things (when I then realised I was only going to be in the van for another 3 days), clothes into the drier, gone by 1pm, after a visit from the Council Chick to find out if I’d paid (I must have looked a mess when I’d dropped in to pay for the previous night’s stay, as she didn’t recognise me!).Back to Arthurs Seat, where I went through the Enchanted Magical Maze, which were a lot better set up than the previous days. There were some fantastic wood carvings that were massive and fantastic. Out with the map again and headed back across to the east coast, and went for a walk around the beach to the point at Flinders Bay, which was really pretty with the sun setting and the water calm. Went to the lighthouse at Cape Schanck, arriving after the park had closed which was good, meant I didn’t have to pay for parking. Went for a walk down to the path and onto the sand beach that was actually stones. Back to the top just as the sun was setting, and tried to get through to the lighthouse, jumping the first fence, but getting stopped at the next. Cooked up some dinner and took photos of the lighthouse at night before sneaking back to the campsite from the night before, setting my alarm to wake up before the rangers would turn up.

4th December
Alarm at 6am the intent was to be gone by 7am. Up, shower, dishes and just packing up the power cord when a guy from NZ stopped to chat about the van. 15 minutes later (and I’m beginning to stress a bit) we said goodbye and cleared out – phew! Drove to the beach I’d swum at the day before (16kms thank you very much!) and had breakfast at the table overlooking the water. Which would have been nice and peaceful had the council workers not turned up!!! Drove through Sorrento to Portsea and the Mornington Peninsular National Park, which didn’t open until 10am. Crap. So I drove to Sorrento back beach, which was absolutely amazing! The view and the coastline were incredible. Decided to do the walk along the path and back up the beach, and had one of the locals join me and point out some of the native plants, other good walks and where you could get the good photos. Got down to the beach and London Bridge rock formation, which I climbed through to get some good photos of the water rushing in and out. Had picked the perfect time to be there, with it being low tide so I could walk all the way to the end, and then up a cliff (danger danger!!) and along a path (through the fence) to see a spectacular view. The Great Ocean Road must be amazing, as this was pretty impressive!!! Further up I climbed, realising that there was no way to get back to the carpark from there, and then heading back down again – without being spotted! That was adventurous! Back along the beach and to the carpark, I had to have a cold drink before heading through Portsea (don’t blink) and back to Sorrento for a walk down their main streets. It was then time to head back to the national park, arriving and having some lunch before packing the backpack for some more serious walking. Paid for the 1 way informative bus trip out to Fort Nepean and would then walk back. Really interesting we arrived at the end and went for a walk around the fort, reading the information and trying to work out how the guys would have survived on this isolated place, with the only access by boat across Port Philip Bay. The view was quite amazing though, and the surf was up with a number of surfers out. It was then time to work my way back, stopping at the lookouts and heading up to the vantage point to see Harold Holt’s Beach, through the graveyard to read the very sad stories of some of those lost at sea and locals who died. Made it out of the gates (the driver had kept checking everytime he drove past I was still ok) and headed off not long before they closed the gates. Where to from here? Went back along the coast to the first landing inside Port Phillip Bay, with gravesites of convicts and the story of Buckley, a convict who escaped, bringing about the saying ‘He’s got buckleys chance of surviving’. But he did – living with the ‘natives’ before eventually coming back to the white settlers. With dusk still being a while off I decided it was time for some exercise, so after finding an internet cafe headed to the local pool for a swim. The water was really warm, and wtih aqua on one side and scuba divers on the other the 6 lane pool was busy! Did my laps and had a shower (not the kinda shower I was hoping for, with no doors) and it was dark by the time I left, heading for Rye (where I’d stopped earlier one morning). Parked myself up overlooking the water – absolutely amazing, although the weather wasn’t that flash. Cooked dinner, shower, blog and bed, with another early start required tomorrow!

Huntingdale and Long John

28th November
Alarm at 6.15, snooze a minute later, and then the second alarm at 6.30 (because I didn’t trust myself), which went off right next to my ear so that certainly woke me up. Shower (to feel human), breaky and finish off on the internet I was gone by 9.15 and at the course before 10am. Tee times and book to find John Daly wasn’t playing until after lunch. Spent the morning walking in between holes and groups, but no-one seemed to be able to sink a long put. Come Long John’s tee time I arrived early for a good spot, only to have his far-arse security guard stand right in front of me!!! And so much for no cameras, there were snaps going off everywhere! Followed them around to the 12th and then headed to the car (for a cricket update) for my camera. Was going to be hard to be inconspicuous, so I had to time my shots. Decided I wanted to ‘see’ some golf instead of just being there, so headed for the 1st and watched about 8 groups, walking ahead at various points to catch up to the next group. Finished the 9th just before the Popeye and Long John came down the 18th, so found a seat and watched them as the rain started. Grabbed my brolly and headed back to the 9th where WA’s Sim had become equal leader with Allenby, and stood in the rain to watch his final hole – and still didn’t see a long put go in all day! Back to the car, chasing a cricket score while I grabbed something to eat and the radio wasn’t working... no I hadn’t had I ..... yes, I had, left the lights on all day. So, I rang the RAC, managed to get the radio happening and some commentary and ate and listened while I waited. Arrived about 45 minutes later, took a while for some charge but eventually got it all happening, and said I needed to keep it running for a bit – so I headed for the hills, literally! Out to Ferntree Gully before the climb (now dark) up to Olinda, where I found the sports ground and public toilets. Locked the doors, asleep (and stuffed) by 11.30pm.

29th November – Bobo’s birthday
Woke up around 8am, still not nice outside. Quick check of the car park to see if a thousand kids were there for morning sport – couldn’t see any. Excellent! Then I hear a couple of kids, and a couple more – yep, cricket on this morning! Changed, breakfast and read the paper before heading back into town to walk the shops. I very carefully left my hands in my pockets! To the Pie Shop that I’d been to before in 2006 with mum and dad for a lemon tart and a cuppa – very naughty but nice! Continued browsing and found a store that I got hooked in, but did get some good chrissy presents. Back to the car loaded up and headed out to the Olinda Falls (nothing on Steavensons’) before a stop for lunch (listening to the cricket of course) where I heated some of the chicken and pasta on the stove. Onto a picnic ground and the start of a 6.5kms walk... or so I thought. With very poor maps I was impressed when a ranger just happened to turn up with a better one. Set off, but unfortunately the track was badly marked, and the map wasn’t as much help as I thought it would be, so I did a shorter loop than expected, then ended up back where I started before heading off again. Halfway up a tiny track and my guts started to rumble. Hmmm, this was not good. About another two minutes and I knew I was in trouble. Now, going to the toilet in the bush is not something I was new at, however ‘number 2’s’ was a whole different ball game, especially when you’re in a protected area where you aren’t supposed to stray from the track. I found a section just off the track, found a big stick and dug a hole (sorta) about 100mm I guess – took my mind off my guts anyway!!!! Did my business (yep, think lunch may have been in the fridge a day or two longer than it should have) and luckily had some toilet paper in my bag (always prepared!!!). Continued on, and found a gravel road that was marked on the map so followed that, but thinking about it afterwards went right when I should have gone left. Whilst waiting to take a photo someone else happened to walked past – what a coincidence I thought. Walked on and began to wonder where I was, with little signage. Finally came across some more signs, although they didn’t make sense, and one was broken. I stood for about 10 minutes trying to work it out, until the same guy I’d seen earlier came past. ‘You aren’t lost are you’, which happened to be just after I was trying to work out where the sun was, so I could establish a direction. ‘Kinda’. So we then both spent the next 10 minutes trying to work out the map (and established the map was crap) before deciding there were two ways I could head that would get me back to where I needed to go. I was now slightly worried about the time however, as the gates to the park shut at 5pm, and it was getting on past 4. Eventually found a track I had been on, and was in the car and heading out by 4.30pm. Down the hill with the petrol light on I figured I’d be able to roll all the way down to the petrol station if I did happen to run out, which I didn’t. Filled up and for the first time all trip payed less than $80 for a full tank – Praise that economic crisis! Headed to the Ferntree Gully Hotel, where Diesel was playing that night. Yep, still tickets available, doors open at 8pm - perfect! Now, I was in need of a shower, so back to Millie to find the nearest pool, a 50m facility which didn’t close until 8pm – magic! Had a great swim (by myself) before having a shower and doing half my makeup and leaving at 7.55pm. Finished my makeup in the car before finding subway just across the road from the pub. Rocked in about 8.45pm and bought a drink and tried to ‘blend’ with the crowd, finding a bench to lean on. Was a bit over dressed (even in jeans) for the locals, although there were some ladies who obviously were out to impress... mutton/lamb if you get my drift. Diesel was amazing! I squeezed my way through when he came on to the front of the crowd (the benefit of being by yourself) and spent the next two and half hours rocking away to Diesel (and drooling over the drummer). Even managed to score one of his guitar picks, actually picked up two, but gave one away. Awesome!!! Got back to George, and found the only Diesel song on my ipod, and played it as loud as the stereo would allow me to, without it distorting. Decided to head back towards the golf, and having spotted that ablution block the day before in Oakleigh South I headed for that. Arrived and found that the parking lot was locked up, however there was the entrance to a construction site and the park, and being a Sunday they were unlikely to arrive before I left, so I should be right. Locked the doors and went to sleep.

30th November
Where am I – oh that’s right, the side of the road. Alarm going off was not pleasant at 7am. Trek over to the ablution block before coming back for breakfast, and having someone rock up in the car park – what the??? It was the cleaners for the ablutions, so I got changed and waited for the knock, but they did their thing and left, and I was gone by 7.45am in the 400 metre drive around the corner to the golf course. Packed my backpack and headed in, grabbing a hot chocolate and the paper and caught up on some news in the sun – very relaxing! Decided I should do some walking, so did the back 9 holes, but this time waited for groups to play through. Then came across a guy who was having some really bad luck, with his tee shot crossing the other fairway, so he played another ball, only to find his first one under one of the carts. Spoke to the officials and got the cart moved, and did play a great recover shot to get back onto the (right) green). On the next hole ended up in the trees on the left just short of the green, and behind one of the big signs they have around the place. Now I would have asked for a drop, because it looked a bit close to me, but he didn’t, and played the half shot and heard it go ‘thunk’ as it hit the tree he was playing around and disappeared. Turned out it had hit the tree and with his caddy standing about 15 metres back towards the fairway had ended up in a pocket of his golf bag. Back to the officials again, two shot penalty and that ruined his day with only 1 hole to go. Finished the 18th and went into the pro shop for a look, which also happened to have a tv, although I couldn’t get a cricket score. I positioned myself halfway down the 1st fairway for the leaders to play through, Allenby and Sim, and with the ‘mobs’ followed them, and the group in front, around for the first few holes. Set myself up in the stands at the back of the par 3 hole and watched about 5 groups play through, getting and giving cricket updates (good job Haddin and Pup) and finding out we’d lost the rugby to France (what the?). Once the leaders had played through I relocated to the end of the 18th hole and found a spare seat next to two blokes. What happened next was a rather bizarre turn of events. The bloke next to me, who I found out to be Olly, decided it was time for a beer, and asked his mate, Oscar, if he would also like one. For some strange reason he then turned to me and said ‘would you like a beer too’. ‘Sure’ I replied without much thought. ‘Really?’ ‘Well if you’re going to buy me a beer then I’ll have one’. So Olly went to buy the beers and Oscar introduced the two of them, and we sat and watched the guys play the final hole. It was close, with a guy named Fraser coming from no-where after having a 7 under par on the opening nine that day. Pampling was through not much later, also having a good day and ended up tied with Fraser at the top of the order. Sim had dropped off the pace early, and Allenby was overcome with emotion on the last hole after having terrible luck with a bunker, and put himself out of contention, and with his sick mum following around in a cart he was unable to win her the championship he had promised. Pampling and Fraser were then tied for first, and headed back out to the 18th for what turned out to be 3 extra holes before a winner could be established, but not without some magnificent golf and recovery shots. Pampling won, just as the weather looked like it was going to break, and whilst we had been cheering for Fraser I really wasn’t concerned on the winner, provided they were Aussie. We watched the presentations, and as the boys had no plans (but were keen for another beverage or two) I offered them a lift to anywhere on the way back to Chelsea Heights, which was where we ended up, at the hotel within spitting distance of the caravan park. The trip was rather interesting though, with Olly in the back seat ringing people he knew across Australia to explain what was going on, including Macca from Hobart (every ones best mate)who would even offer me accommodation and someone to drink with (and he does drink a lot I was warned) when I was down there for the cricket. Olly had also rung his wife, who wasn’t impressed that the boys were going with a random chick they had ‘picked up’ at the golf, and things turned ugly when she overheard me laughing in the background (I’m not sure whether it was about something he had said, or Oscar was telling me, and with my voice it didn’t take much to get back to her down the phone. So we got to the sports bar, which was pretty empty, but we did manage to find out the cricket score. So I had a couple of beers with them while we waited for Oscar’s wife to turn up to take them home, with Oscar being another one of the ‘I can’t believe you’re single, where were you 10 years ago (implying before he got married, and when he was actually in is 30’s!). I drove into the caravan park at 8.30pm, after reception had closed, but was able to get the same sight and the internet reconnected. Had a late dinner and was thinking about going to bed about 11.30pm when my phone rang – Olly. Must have called me by mistake. Nope, Olly’s wife, who’d obviously had a few drinks, wondering exactly how I’d picked up her husband. I assured her there was nothing to worry about (he was 41 with kids), but she was obviously quite paranoid and extremely insecure. Decided that keeping in touch with the boys might not be such a good idea! Went to bed about midnight.

San Remo to Yarra Valley

21st November
Woke around 8am, time for some washing! Two loads into the machines, breakfast and then into the drier, while I searched for two trees that my rope would fit between for another line. Hmmm, branch didn’t quite seem strong enough, so some more rope to make it longer and another stronger branch. Went back to check the drier, all done but not quite dry, so anther dollar in the machine, push the start button and BANG, sparks flew and nothing. Crap!!! Took the gear out of the drier and set up another line in the van, and one outside to the power pole. I had washing everywhere! Told the caretakers about the drier before heading down to the beach for a run while it dried. Beautiful river and beach, although the seas were rough and the winds strong. Washing still not dry, so cleaned out the van, had a shower, listened to the cricket and had lunch before packing up and heading out on midday. Over to San Remo for a look before heading back to Melbourne, which went smooth until Toorak Rd, and then took forever. Got to the backpackers and found parking (basically the same spot as before) but unfortunately no beds available. A few phone calls later and I got the last bed in the Spencer St Hotel in North Melbourne. Down to Buddah’s Belly for a coffee and some internet, and decided to have the soup for dinner, which was beautiful (sweet potato and corn with Turkish bread). Back to George and back in the traffic... 45 minutes to get 7kms. After about 50 point turn I got into a car parking bay and then checked in. Back and moved the car (about another 20 point turn) and then headed off for the train station back to Prahran for swing dancing. Got off the train, pretty dark and ... I think I know where I’m going.... hmmm, no I think it was back this way.... oh, yeah, here we go “which way is it to....” “I think it’s down that way, on the left, but don’t hold me to that”...... Yep, perfect, arrived at 9.45pm, just after it had started. Sussed it out, looked for a few people I knew and set up near the doorway. Waited a couple of songs before I was asked to dance, and carried on that way until Nathan (from last dance) and I spotted each other, so I had a few more dances. Midnight came and I said I had to catch the train, and he offered me a lift home, so we had a final dance and headed off, but got a scenic tour on the way back. Took me to a cafe/bar near Parliament Station, very classy and apparently ‘known but not known’. I had a glass of red and we sat out on the balancy (4 floors up) with the heaters going and talked until 1.30ish before Nathan dropped my back to the backpackers. Think it was about 2am.

22nd November
Woke up to rain – blah! Stayed in bed til the others had cleared out of the room and got up and had a shower. Cup of tea while I packed up and headed downstairs about 9.30am to check out and jump on the net. Jump on the Day on the Green website but nothing about it potentially being cancelled – no worries. Printed off my ticket, threw my stuff into George and headed for a walk down to DFO at Southern Cross Station with my umbrella, which didn’t actually make it all the way there. The wind nearly blew me over at one stage! Quick walk through the DFO, stopping at the bookstore but no where else (what willpower). Was heading back to the car when I walked past the TAB with the cricket going, so went in for a look and stayed until Katich had his 100. Some lunch when I got back and headed off for Craigieburn, to check out a caravan park for Boxing Day. Took ages to get out of Melbourne (even on a Saturday), but eventually got out and made it to the caravan park. From there headed out to the Yarra Valley and Rochford Winery, with a quick stop at Diamond Creek on the way. Weather was still pretty miserable, with showers and winds, so when I arrived at the gate and there was no traffic I wasn’t completely shocked. Signs out the front said ‘Sold out’ followed by everyone’s worst fear ‘Concert Cancelled’. What?? Drove in to find out the strong winds were the issue and that tickets would be refunded. Bugger. Into the tourist bureau in Healesville for some information, picked up a heap and got some accommodation and expressed interest in a wine tour the following day. Decided to make the most of it, so headed to Boat O’Cragio winery for some samples and bought a bottle. Headed out to the Big Four ($28 a night – rip off!) and listened to the last few overs of the cricket whilst eating my picnic dinner (chicken, salad, cheese, biscuits, cherry tomatos – definitely quality) and a glass of wine (or two). Grabbed the laptop and headed to the tv room at 7.30 (and a wine) to watch the rugby league grand final, which was a good game, except that as short priced favourites someone forgot to tell the team they still had to play the second half. NZ were just too good. Flicked over to Gladiator when that finished and ended up going to bed just on midnight.

23rd November
Woke around 9am, still some rain around. Packed up and just as I was leaving received a phone call from the information centre asking if I was still keen for the wine tour – sure! Decided to try the Top Tourist park down the road, so got my deposit back on the key and headed down the road. Yep no worries booked in and rang the tourist bureau back. Had two hours to kill, so set the van up and chucked on the cricket (that we smashed the kiwis at, slight recovery from last nights game) whilst I organised the van (again!!!). Had some lunch (lots of carbs) and got changed and was picked up spot on 1pm. Just three of us on the tour, Tania and Bobby from New Zealand (we didn’t talk much sport!). We set off, first stop at Oakridge and a bottle of chardy, next to Chandon, of Moet and Chandon fame, and whilst the service was pretty ordinary I had to buy a bottle (Sav Blanc). Then it was Punt Road, which was absolutely fantastic, with ciders and every wine a winner. Bought two ciders, white and a red and we headed off for the cheese factory, which was pretty disappointing, along with the wines which just didn’t compare after Punt Roads. One more winery which was pumping (and the guys wore very cool shirts and cowboy hats) and it was time to drop off wine (and visit the bathroom at the caravan park...........) before heading back into town and the local pub for a beer (which I literally chewed) and Turkish bread. Tania had a bit of a nap... and then a quick exit to the bathroom while Bobby and I chatted, about who knows what! Decided to head elsewhere for dinner, so checked out the other pub (was a very quick entry and exit!) before heading down the road (via the river in Bobby’s case, Tania and I walked around) and into Innocent Bystander/Giant Steps, a cellar door that was a lot like Little Creatures in design. Another beer (Pale Ale Little Creatures :-) some chips (chups) to share before mains, which was snapper. As it was Tania’s birthday we all ordered desert, which was a chocolate/honeycomb thing with icecream that was delicious. Waited for a taxi (one’s on it’s way... 20 minutes later.....) and was dropped at the caravan park – 10.30pm and it was good night for me!

24th November – Tina & Pete’s B/day
Woke about 8 feeling remarkably well! Out of the caravan park just before 10am and over to the Healesville Sanctuary, a native wildlife park. Arrived just as a whole busload of pre-schoolers did – fantastic! (there was a touch of sarcasm there if you missed it). Saw the emus, koalas, wombats but somehow it’s just now quite the same as when you see them in the wild. Did manage to see some platypus, one of the few illusive natives I hadn’t seen so far, very cool. The Birds of Prey demo was good, despite the drizzle (I did grab a hot chocolate and muffin before I went in, helped keep me warm). Reptiles were pretty cool too (although the snaked do freak me out a little). Wandered around the maze (think I went past the platypus 3 or 4 times) saw the dingo’s out on their daily ‘walk’ and left. Headed to the main drag where I stopped for lunch and walked up and down the main street (getting a few bargains along the way) before heading off, stopping at a few picnic sights along the way (looking for somewhere to spend the night, but all were no camping) until I arrived in Marysville. Signs pointed up the hill to Steavenson’s Waterfall, so took a drive up there and arrived about 7.15pm. $2 for parking (what???) but the signs said it was lit, and open until 11pm so I paid my fees and decided while it was still light I’d organise dinner, so cut up the vegies (fridge was now bare, all bar the frozen celery - one extreme to the other with this fridge - and a few odd drinks) before grabbing the camera and going for a look. ‘Wow’ was the instant reaction, 86 metres and it was actually flowing with water. Spectacular! Walked up the 120 steps to the top (the sign was right about it being a steep climb!) for a look down before heading back to the car... but only to get the video camera. Getting dark now the lights were on, so the footage wasn’t great, but the photos were fantastic (the beauty of a good camera with long exposure, especially with moving water!). Left just before 9pm and found a parking bay near the information centre (and toilet block) where I was nice and camouflaged, and right near a beautiful stream. Cooked a massive stir-fry dinner (using the pasta and chicken in the fridge, some nice peri peri flavoured chopped tomatos – as Borat would say, ‘Very nice’) and headed to bed around 11.30pm.

25th November
So I no longer have problem with waking up early... turns out after 3 months on holidays you can change the body clock! About 8ish, the morning ritual now was to make the bed (fold the blankets/sheets), head to the bathroom, back to pack up the bed, breakfast, then shower (when I’m in a caravan park) clean up and head off. Today it was about 100 metres away to a parking spot before packing a backpack and heading to the visitors centre for info on the walks. Set off up the hill and back into the bush, which was nice, but didn’t really compare to The Prom. The loop I was going to do at the end was closed (the bridge was in a state of disrepair) so I headed back and having missed the wishing well on the way in had to walk back along the same path to head out. Stopped for something to eat at the well before deciding to tackle the 4kms to the waterfall with the video camera (and save paying the $2 – talk about a tight arse!). Slight detour to a Chainsaw Statute garden before heading on the Tree Fern Gully Track. Some beautiful wildflowers and the sound of the river the length of the walk was very peaceful. A fairly easy track I stopped in a little secluded section at the base of the falls for a stretch, food and a rest. Wandered around taking photos and footage before a quick stop at the bathroom and embarking back down the hill. I was most of the way back when I stopped for a few photos and a young couple (early 20’s?) came past. Not serious walkers (by what they were wearing) it wasn’t long before they were back within eye range. Talk about funny, she was in a tiny miniskirt with suspenders (all one thing I think) and seemed to suddenly have some ‘wardrobe issues’ as she went from the occasional tug of the skirt, to one hand in the back pocket, and then one of the straps wasn’t behaving, so fixing that back up and giving her stick to her boyfriend and shoving both hands in her back pockets. She must have been so relieved when her boyfriend suggested they stop to let me pass! Back into town (13.5kms later) I made lunch (chicken sandwiches) and headed off, following the winding roads through the valley to Lake Mountain, which I decided to go for a look. Arrived at the top, very poorly signposted I headed off to the summit, 800m. Arrived at the top (again, anticlimax after Kosciuszko) there were patches of snow still on the ground, but at lower altitude there were also trees and grass. Decided I’d do the summit loop – bad idea! The path was very narrow with bushes across most of the way, the views were less than impressive but worst of all there were parts that were completely flooded! Some sections you could straddle on either side of the path, but some parts were wet and deep! The lake the mountain gets its name from is on top I’m sure, because I had to walk way off the track to get around it! Back to the summit and I hightailed it outa there, putting that on the ‘don’t worry about’ list (there’s not a whole lot on that list mind you!). Found my way out to Warburton (nearly cleaning up a speeding motorcyclist on the way – idiot!) and the caravan park. 7pm but as it would be light for a bit decided it was time to empty the box on the roof – which had certainly seen better days, being extremely warped and letting in lots of dust – so it was a complete van clean to pack yet another box of crap (but wait, there’s more...) and squeeze everything in. Fairy bread sandwich (from the chocolate freckles pack........ how naughty!) while I worked and managed to get it all in, and jam the lid on the box! Some of last weeks stir fry that had defrosted in the freezer (the fridge either runs flat out or doesn’t run I think) about 9.30pm. Went to bed listening to the river which was right outside the front of the van.

26th November – month til Boxing Day!!!!!!!
Slept until about 8, then 8.45am.... this is sooo slack! Got up, had a shower (which you paid $1 for 5 minutes... and I made it, just!) and then a load of laundry before coming back for breakfast. No cereal left I had to make do with pancakes – what a shame! It took me a few to perfect, but by about 5 I think I had it sussed out! Back to check the drier, and most of it was still damp! I don’t mind paying $3 for a drier if that’s all it takes, but when it’s only half full and it needs another go I’m not impressed) so I hung it on the line and went back to do the dishes and get ready for the day. Drove out of the park just before noon, still with some damp clothes, and stopped in town to drop off the post box and walk the main drag. Jumped on the net for an hour (it was cool in there, quite warm outside) before heading to Yarra Junction and the caravan park about 2.30pm. Set up, had some lunch and updated the blog while I waited for it to cool down a bit so I could go for a ride. For the first time in probably two months I had finally got it back up to date (although the actual blog was still about a month behind). About 4.30pm decided it was time to go for a bike ride along part of the Rail Trail that leads from Warburton to Lilydale, so I checked the tires and another flat! This time the front wheel, but again at the valve. Crap. Luckily I’d bought a spare in Melbourne last, so I changed the tire and pumped them up but it was 5.00pm before I was ready to go. Off I headed along the road to the track, which started off as pretty compact gravel with a section of bitumen towards the end. Did about 21kms return, and it was a beautiful ride, stopping for a few photos along the way (back did not appreciate carrying the camera in the backpack. Found a recreation centre about 2kms from the caravan park with a pool – hurray!!! Got back had a quick bite to eat and grabbed my bathers and ran down to the rec centre. Proved that regardless of when you get off the bike, if you go for a run afterwards without stretching it takes about a kilometre for your legs to work properly! Had a fantastic swim (1750m) in a pool practically to myself before walking back to the caravan park for some dinner, movie (The Mighty Quinn – old Denzel Washington flick, with the funniest Jamaican accent) and organise the scrap book. Early night – midnight! Pftt!!!

27th November
Alarm at 7am, one of these days I might actually get up when it goes off! 7.45am up, breaky and organised for a bike ride – all 60kms of it from Yarra Junction to Lilydale. Set off just before 9am. It was windy in patches, but otherwise a pretty good day for being on the bike. Again very pretty, with a vast range of birds and flora encroaching on the track. Stopped for a couple of photos, but the main hold ups were the gates and road crossings, where I’d have to get off the bike, walk across the road (a slow process with cleats) and get back on again. Stopped for a bit at Wandin where they had information on the history of the track before taking a big cup of toughen up and continuing on. Made it up the slope to Mt Evelyn and then cruised down the hill, as fast as I dared – the faster you go the harder you hit I’d been told! Scary part was heading through a tunnel that was pitch black – went to put the brakes on and realised that probably wasn’t such a good idea, so just held on and was glad to reach the other side (I took my sunnies off on the return trip for that section!) Got to the main road in Lilydale and had to search for the rest of the track, which I eventually found. Road on for another couple of hundred metres before the track just seemed to disappear! A bad, steep, rocky track lead down around a fenced school ground, and as I wasn’t going to give up this close to the finish I walked the bike down (still in cleats) to the bottom (past a dead... possum I think), to find a very narrow dirt track – that wasn’t it. Walked back up (still in cleats) to the top, quite sad to have made it this far and not be able to find the end (found out later the track goes through the school, and they aren’t happy about it being there). Headed back, stopping about 10kms from Yarra Junction for some food (to make the backpack lighter of course). Nearing home I cheated a little and took the road instead of crossing the highway (and then having to cross back) and flew down the hill it top gear (this is more like it!) before turning off and arriving around 1.15pm. Averaged 17kms an hour over the 3 hrs 20, which considering the track and stops I was quite happy with. Could not have been happier getting off the bike though – taking the shoes off was instant relief! Headed to the camp kitchen for pancakes for lunch (to save heating up the van) and the stove cooker was so slow – I was able to wash my dishes before I even had to turn one over! Like watching paint dry. Eventually got them done, rang a few places to find accommodation for the night before having a shower and heading out of town around 3pm. Did some shopping along the way (which turned out to be a bit more than just the bike tire and weetbix I went in for) and arrived at the caravan park in Chelsea Heights at 6.45pm. They’d had a lightning strike about an hour before, so things were a bit haywire. Set up on site, straight onto the internet before cooking dinner and finding the internet was limited time, and it had run out. Cleaned up and in bed by 11pm.

Wilsons Promontory

18th November
I’d set the alarm for 7am, and if I’ve managed to learn anything on this trip is how to snooze...... so at 7.45am I jumped up ready for action. Now that George was clean it was much easier to pack up the bed, so breaky, showered and ready to go by 9am. Did some money shopping (went to the atm) in Foster before cranking the radio and heading to Wilsons Promontory. Paid for a night camping and headed on down to Tidal River, which is where most of the walks take place from and the camping is. Must have stopped half a dozen times on the way there to take photos though, and ended up playing tag with someone else doing the same. Found a camp spot and headed to the info centre for the ‘must do/see’ walks. Sealers Cove was priority, 10.2km 1 way. I can do this! Had some crumpets, packed a backpack full of food, drinks and the cameras and set off for Telegraph Saddle car park. 11.46am I began the treck, which heads down, then up, then a long way down. Now I was looking forward to some more native wildlife, like wombats or roos, but the only thing I came across was about 3.5kms into the treck when I nearly stood on a snake. About a metre in length, I took a big gasp of air and a step back onto a rock (that was about 100mm higher than the ground I had been on) before he slithered off into the bush. Right – track assessment required as I proceed! Walked through some beautiful scenery, stopping for photos and water along the way. Made it to the bottom and the bay was just spectatular – absolutely worth the walk. Stopped for lunch and did the 700 metres to the river entrance before heading back at 2.15pm. Took a few more photos on the way back (it was uphill, a good chance for a breather) and made it back to the carpark just after 5pm. Down the hill, photo of a kookaburra on the road and back to the campsite where I poured myself a large glass of wine and had some Bega cheese on cruskets. Figured I really should do another little walk, so headed down to the beach and then around the river and started on a 1km track, that then turned into a 2km track (one way of course) up a mountain (and I happened to be going the wrong way to what they recommended so it turned out!). Surprised that my legs weren’t complaining loudly (did the wine have something to do with that) I made it to the Tidal River Lookout and it was pretty amazing, especially with the pink tinge from the sun behind the clouds. Walked about a kilometre back down when I saw the sky turn a mass of pink, and decided to catch the sunset I would have to hurry.... or run as it turned out. So I ran to the end of the track (stop, photo) across the footbridge (photo) and along the river (photo, photo) to the beach (photo, photo, photo)(photo photo). It just seemed to get better, and whilst you couldn’t actually see the sun, with the tide out the colours were all over the beach and ocean aswell. Headed back about 8.30pm when the dinner I’d contemplated didn’t seem like a viable option anymore (I was suddenly tired – couldn’t understand why?) so it was spaghetti toasted sandwiches (in the frypan) with an egg (needed some protein) and another glass of wine. Headed for the showers and then decided I’d spend 10 minute max looking for one of these illusive wombats and sure enough found one on the side of the road about 100 m from the van. Very cute, and must have incredible eyes, because it was pitch black and it was quite happy wandering around, chewing on the grass. Back to George, lights out at 10.35pm, completely shattered!

19th November
Wow – 3 months since I’d left – how fast time flies when you’re having fun! Felt very ordinary, even with over 8 hours sleep. The weather report had been a bit ominous, and my confidence wasn’t boosted when I looked out and saw the guys in the campsite next door looking to the skies. Breakfast and analysed the map... decided on Little Oberon Bay, which should take a couple of hours, back for some lunch and then off to do the beaches run this arvo. Set off, with legs complaining slightly after yesterdays 25ksm, wet weather gear in tow. Down to the end of the beach and up the cliffs – beautiful view over Tidal River. Went down to Norman Point for a look and started chatting with Lorna and Liz, from Apollo Bay, and ended up tagging along with them to Oberon Bay, a 6 km one way trip (instead of the 3km I’d planned). The views over both bays were spectacular, with little skinks running all over the pathway. Feeling a bit peckish (I hadn’t planned on lunch when I’d packed) I took a couple of photos, watched the crows who were searching under the seaweed for lunch and said goodbye to the ladies. Arrived back just after 2pm when I made lunch and headed to the shop for an icecream – I figured I’d earned it! Exhausted I had a little nap before driving to Five Mile Road to tackle Vereker Outlook, a 3km walk. Completely different again to the other walks, there were thousands of blackboys (sorry, grass trees) and banksias. Trip up the hill wasn’t too bad, and the view was amazing, albeit that the clouds were rolling in, so wasn’t as spectacular as it would have been earlier that day. It was quite sheltered from the wind, and I found a lovely rock to lean on while I stopped for afternoon tea. Back down the mountain a track veered off for Millers Landing, so I took that down to the water, again different to the flora that was on the other side of the road. Reached the bottom and what would normally have been rather pretty looked a bit ordinary with the weather . Back to the carpark, stopping to check out the black cockatoos who were making an awful racket! Back in the carpark I had a good stretch before heading off, dodging wallabies on the way , and then a wombat that literally ran across the road at Tidal River. Eventually found a spot for the night (the same on as last night) and cracked a beer – very nice! Then the rain started, so I cut up some vegies while I drank and then decided to cook dinner (pasta and steamed vegies – very nice) before doing the dishes and heading over for a well earned shower. Back for a glass of wine and to sort out some photos (and oooo and ahhhh over the sunset ones) before bed about midnight.

20th November
So sick of waking to an alarm and dozing until 7.42 I decided to set my alarm for 8am, which worked because I then woke at 7.42 and felt all right! It had rained all night, and there was still a fine mist of spray falling. Donning the wet weather gear I packed up and drove out just after 9am, saying Hi and Bye to Lorna and Liz on my way past. Into the visitors car park I headed for Squeaky, Picnic and Whiskey Beaches, a 5.6km track, via Loo-Errn, another kilometre. Had a very friendly kookaburra pose for a few photos on the way to overlooking Squeaky Beach, which nice, but with the grey skies and crashing waves nothing like it could have been. Along the beach (over a kilometre) before reaching the next uphill to Picnic Beach and Point, and then onto Whiskey Beach, through the rocks. Took shelter under some big boulders while I had some lunch before heading back. Quite a diverse range of flora along the way, and with a controlled burn near Squeaky it was quite interesting. Made it back in 3 hours (their estimate was 4) and headed for George and then the shop for some hot chips. The last track on my list of recommended ones was Darby River, but on arrival the winds were quite strong and the rain had again started back up, so I decided against it and headed out of The Prom (nearly getting bogged in the process) on my way back towards Melbourne. Stopped just after the exit to take a photo of the signs when a couple of Danish (?) backpackers asked for help with a flat battery. Pull George up next to their van, and wondered if they were just going to drag me in and take me away somewhere (it was an unusual place to have flattened a battery). 20 minutes later I had them going again (after finding their battery, my battery, my jumper leads etc etc) and set off for Wonthaggi, with the ABC and first day of the test match v NZ on the radio, which was quite dreadful (we were getting hammered), but rather amusing. Went for a walk along the beach, where a wind and kite surfer thought the winds were great (although the kite surfer was freezing to death on the beach, but was determined to go back in and beat his 39kms an hour). Headed to , where my stops were now being determined by the cricket (sad I know) until I reached Won, where I stopped in at Coles for something for dinner and find out where the caravan parks were. Checked out both of them, and neither were appealing so continued on until I came to one a Powlett River just before 8pm. Very relaxed (the caretakers office was a caravan, the ‘receptionist’ answered in her dressing gown) but only $11 a night for a powered site I was a happy girl. Dinner, long shower (to make myself a bit more respectable before heading back into the big smoke) clean up and diary. Another action packed day!