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.