THE TRIP - WEEK 2,3,4,5 (part 3) - AUSTRALIA

Well the last week in Australia turned out to be even busier again as Graham & Kaye ensured I got the most I could out of my available time. So, this update covers all the activities but I have again really edited the available photos to a, hopefully, manageable level.

There are not many of McDuck this week, he and his new friend, Mr Grouse had a party and he was worse for wear most of the week!


Another weekend, another BBQ! Here in the good company of Kayes brother Andrew and his wife Chris.

This, happily, was not found in the pool but it might make you think twice about a dip in the local waters! It was in fact a feature at a wildlife park we visited on a very feature filled day.

At the same park, I finally fulfilled an ambition I have had for a long time. Strange, I know, but now I have held a Wombat, maybe I will shut up about them, doubtful but maybe!

The Ned Kelly look here was to protect me from the one or two flies that were around in the Kangaroo pen. One or two million, you understand!

I had my Wombat moment and Kaye was lucky enough to have a close encounter with a Possum.

Down the road a bit, we had the chance to punctuate our wildlife adventures with a fairly hi-tech game of crazy golf. It's the taking part that counts Graham, not the winning!

Back in to the forests again to view the wonderful Koalas. We really were very lucky here. These are nocturnal creatures and really spend the day lazing in the Gum Trees. For some reason they were pretty active and we got the benefit. This one was looking to see what the humans had been reading. (as always, don't forget to click the pictures to see them full size)

Really pleased with this shot, should be in the 2008 Marsupial World calender! For those of you that don't know, I am taking my photographs on my mobile phone and, as there was a Brown Snake (8 times deadlier than an Egyptian Cobra apparently) slithering around the base of this tree I had a remarkably steady hand.

How?

All these stop offs were on our way to Phillip Island which is famous for it's Penguin Parade. Every night as dusk sets in, the adult Fairy Penguins, return from the sea to feed their young who live in burrows behind the dunes at the back of the beach. One or two, at first, carefully waddle out of the surf to check that the coast is clear (oh! is that where that phrase comes from?!), then slowly but surely hundreds of them run up the beach to avoid predators and hundreds of humans! Not cameras though, not allowed, this photo is blagged off the web.

This one I dared to take myself!

Another day another few hundred kilometers, this time to the fascinating historical site of Ballarat. In the space of 5 short years after gold was found here, a thriving township was formed and grew to be a really sizable town today. This exhibition actually has two original buildings in it.

Here, I found my nugget, great, not coming home now, can afford to buy a small mansion, a yacht perhaps!

Doh! not my nugget after all. See you in five to ten!

Thought this view of Melbourne on our way home merited inclusion. Could be wrong but I liked it.

Off we go again. Two day jaunt this time. Set off early to catch the ferry across Phillip Bay then a few more hundred amazing kilometers down towards the very pretty Port Fairy. Well pretty after the very Fife like sea harr burned off. This a sunrise view from the ferry.

This was something else that was getting burned off!!

Took off on a little adventure by myself around Griffiths Island. A nice walk of an hour and about twenty photographs! I had stopped walking for a moment to send a picture text, then slipped my phone (camera remember?) back in my pocket, took two steps forward and was then frightened out of my wits when a Kangaroo jumped out the bush right in front of me and then disappeared before I could retrieve my camera!

Given up with McDuck, he has fallen out with Mr Grouse and can't fall out of bed!

Day two, quite amazing. The tourist signs point toward the 'Great Ocean Road'.... it was!

I know I have said this a few times but, I have really, really edited down the number of pictures of this trip. Here are just a few.

Every half mile or so was another stunning view created by the oceans powerful effect on the limestone cliffs.

There are, however, drawbacks but very worth it.

Yes, that wave got me.

Only 94 steps to get back up, big steps, plus the slopes that don't count as steps! It wasn't cold either.

Ok, what is that? Well what it is, is a poor attempt to catch a photo from a moving car of an incredible house.

Another picture nicked from the web shows the same building from above and behind. It's available as a holiday rent if you fancy it!

Still on the way back up the 'Great Ocean Road' we had a look at 'Split Point' lighthouse...

...and another view.

My last day in Oz. Take it easy, relax, before moving on to New Zealand. No. Another few hundred of those kilometer things through even more interesting countryside. This time to another history full town called Echuca. This was the paddle steamer we spent a very pleasant hour or so cruising the Murray River.

I know I sometimes get a bit hooked on things and twitter on about them, so what? Here I go again. Looking at this picture, you can see that the water level has been higher. More later.

This one was just returning from a Sunday lunch cruise. Nice.

Water levels again. See the water? See the highest sign on the tree? It shows the height of the flood in 1870. The one below was as recent as 1974. Global warming? Hmm... the riverbed was dry in 1914!

Oh, Henry has clearly had enough of uncle Hamish. Must be time to move on again.

Very mixed emotions here. What a great adventure I still have in front of me and I am truly excited by the thought of it. However, how can my Australian experience be forgotten? It never ever will be and a lot of my memories will be thanks to the genuine kindness and hospitality of Graham, Kaye and that mental Labradoodle!! Thank you.

As I finish this update, I am in a hotel room in Christchurch NZ.... off I go again!!