Phillip Island and about

Governor's House

After walks through the Botanical gardens, and a visit to the Aquarium with nothing eventful happening,  it seemed appropriate to do a little touring while the kids were here, so we headed to one of the key tourist spots around Melbourne, Phillip Island.  It is located about two hours from Melbourne, on the Ocean.
The island is somewhat like PEI - you can drive there - across a bridge -...and like Canada - there is construction on every road in the summer ( probably all year here)

Not wanting to leave anything to chance, we made sure we went to the Koala Conservation centre -and were not disappointed.  After a five minute walk, thinking it would be nice to see at least one koala - we spotted one - then another - then - yes, we had figured out where and what to look for.



They are incredibly cute....but rather lazy.  Apparently they sleep for up to twenty hours a day.

Bush babies

We also saw a number of wallabees - only the beginning. It turns out they are everywhere - fortunately none ended up on the front of our car and they were limited across the highway.

wallabees -everywhere

Racing seems a popular pastime in Australia - though - the speeding tickets must be significant because no-one drives above the posted speed.  This speed track was being used for practice runs for some big race beginning several days after we left....The speed ( and sound) was incredible.






We saw signs that we don't seem to have pictures for - " pedestrians, give way to cars" in various locations - and it is a good idea - pedestrians have no rights in Australia we have determined.



We also managed a bit of wine tasting - seems that is standard procedure in Australia. Winneries just keep popping up beside the road, demanding a person stop.  Fortunately, given the need for a driver, the tasting is extremely limited, though we often find ourselves leaving with a bottle or two in hand for a later time.

Coast line

We went to watch the fairy penguins arrive in the evening.  They are really sticky about cameras, so we didn't get any pictures.  It was quite a sight to see -hundreds of little penguins arrive at shore every evening - returning home to their burrows....same shore, same homes each night.  Oh - and the  other picture -  Rich and Eric tried to get a close up of this guy by our hotel room - He didn't like it and took off after Rich - who made a mad dash for the door - leaving Eric to fend for himself.  We wanted this to be a wombat - ( nope- has a tail), maybe a possum ( don't they play dead when threatened....?)....but haven't decided what it was yet.

Shep everywhere

 We also managed to spend some time at a living history museum - though we were there in the morning, so missed the shearing, forging etc.  However, it was very interesting - and was the site of the first 'large' farmer to the island in the 1800s.

 Note the fountain - made out of cultivator blades - a project for Rich when we get home - also note the clothing - It has been a very 'cool' and wet summer for the Australians.  Even we were finding it a bit chilly last weekend - highs of only about 15 C.....amazing how quickly a person gets used to something a bit warmer.

Kylie -5 months

One can never have enough grade baby pictures.

Looking out at the point at Phillip Island -   and the adventure didn't end there.  On the way home we stopped in a town just outside Melbourne....and came away with another rug - to bring home -  Rich just can't pass up a good deal on handmade rugs....even large ones which are going to present some fun getting back home.  Hmmmmm

Ah well - next trip - a couple of farm tours and the Great Ocean Road.

Tours and travellers

Valentine supper - champaign

countryside Yarra Valley

We have now been here almost five weeks, have wandered into floods, visited wineries, been to the Australian Open, and now....Aussie rules football.  On the downside - not much Aussie wildlife yet, aside from the neighbours living below who have scheduled all night parties each weekend. 

Yarra Valley

 This should be the equivalent to the end of August for us....I guess it looks like last August - but the farmers are certainly concerned.


Rich did another wine tour in the Yarra valley, just outside of Melbourne.   I think this must be part of the ongoing Aussie hospitality.  We are supposed to go to the Phillip Island winneries tomorrow, friends of a friend... The Aussies are saying this is one of those record wet years....Rich shared some Saskatchewan data with them.  The countryside was incredible lush.

Dairy farm milk time

Kylie comes Kangaroo searching

Following the wine tour, on to a dairy farm - or factory - not sure what.   It was about 2 hours out of Melbourne. Again, Rich went solo on this with some ag people from the state ag department.  Apparently they had to dress in sterile gowns, masks, etc to go into a cheese factory where they where the cheese making was kept on the opposite side of a glass wall from them anyways.  Hadn't realized Australian cheese was quite such a hot secret!

  Oh, and Rich was also accompanied by - the son.  Eric, Randi and our newest granddaughter, Kylie, have come to Aus to visit us.  Kylie is five months old, and apparently was an incredible traveller ( comes from Joan's nomadic side of the family).  We are looking forward to doing lots with them during the 2 1/2 weeks they are here.

Eric bet he would run into someone who would recognize the Rider cap while he was here in Australia.   Turns out, he was right....day 2 a man said, "You must be from Saskatchewan"... To be completely honest, it was not an Australian - or not a 'born and raised' one - rather, a person who had grown up in Edmonton, but was now living here.   We will have to see if it happens again.  Kylie is just glad to have the snowsuit off!

Aussie Football

Speaking of football - we went to an Australian Rules Football game last weekend.  It is a blood sport -  there is nothing quite like it.  We were certainly impressed with the athleticism, however wondered a bit about brawn over brain in action?   No equipment, no rules, full tackle.....and as far as we could tell the only penalties were awarded to the wimps who allowed themselves to be thrown out of bounds.  The games go for 160 minutes on a filed that is 150 metres long - no stops aside from changing direction.   They are tough!

This is an UGG

We took Randi, Eric and Kylie to the Victoria market yesterday - it is several city blocks big - goes on and on and on, has just about everything you could want, and, the prices are generally better than the stores.  A person could be there all day just trying to see everything once.

We also learned all about UGG's...not the same fashion statement as Paris, but definitely leave their footprint....or pawprint....

more market

workaholics

We are enjoying the architecture - more and more every week - and while the statues are different than Paris, they do certainly exist.  Hmmmm.

Flinders Station

Public Baths...1870's

How to protect a tower

Off for now - got the grandbaby to amuse.  We are off to Phillip's Island ( fairy penguins, koalas, and sharks from afar?) tomorrow, then the Great Ocean Road ( rain forest, wildlife, surf, and shipwrecks) later in the week, so should have lots of pics in about ten days time.  We should manage to get the whole family  in at least one of those pictures!

sunset over the bay

Celebrations to cyclones- bring it on

We have now settled in and are discovering some beautiful Victorian architecture throughout Port Melbourne near where we live.  We've also discovered that we won't be buying any real estate here any time soon.  This makes Saskatoon look incredibly affordable.  We've found many pockets of beautiful old structures tucked in amongst numerous 'miner's quarters'....which are fast becoming upscale housing....typically with add-ons to the back.







January 26th was Australia Day - and being in Australia, it seemed only fitting to do as the Aussies do.  This, of course, involved attending to a parade ( oops - missed that),  getting in on the 21 gun salute (front row standing room on that one), attending a Remembrance ceremony at the War memorial,  and doing a walk through ( along with thousands of others) of the Governor's Mansion.  The Governor's mansion is the largest in Australia, and really is 'stately'.  The grounds are surrounded by botanical gardens....which will be another viewing.

chop chop

warmed up

After a bite of lunch we were off to watch some typical birthday activities....log splitting and rowing.  Rich was disappointed not to be allowed into the log splitting competition.....I don't know whether it was the lack of appropriate white pants & shirt combo, or the fact that his hands have gone 'soft' over the past five months with no reno projects or farming to keep him fit!

The evening ended with a fireworks show.  We had walked home from the festivities ( about 45 minutes, but had to head back for that- it was well worth it!)

lights of Melbourne

Our next big excitement was a trip to Canberra, the Aus capital.  Rich had been asked to speak, so it seemed like a good reason to rent a car and do a road trip - about seven hours each way.  We were persuaded by a friend to stop overnight in Rutherglen on the way back to sample some local wines.  More about that in a bit.  Canberra is a planned city - a bit like Ottawa, in that it wasn't either of the bigger cities ( in this case, Melbourne and Sydney).  The countryside was very 'California like' in our minds.  Apparently this was very lush compared to most years.  We were busy looking for kangaroos and other interesting wildlife....finally saw two - when we stopped for coffee....not quite what we had in mind, though we did finally see some roos near an interesting little place called Murrumbateman.




This place is interesting for two reasons - it is like many prairie towns....fast disappearing, but, it is also the centre of the...( universe would be Indian Head)...southern hemisphere - according to a friend of ours back home who began school there.

AUS Capital Buildings

Shortly thereafter, we reached Canberra.  Canberra is less than a century old, and has had the Capitol building built twice in that short time.  The recent building is beautiful in a modern sense - but apparently cost a billion dollars....in the 1980's....  It is built on a hill, and is impressive as one drives up.











Lots of interesting marble inside....and interesting Prime Ministers too at times ( one went for a walk and never came back - in the 1970's....drowned? eaten by a shark? taken by a Soviet sub?  Who knows.

Really - a Prime Minister

The kangaroo and the emu are found on the coat of arms of Australia....because?   Well, after much thought, it becomes apparent -----these two fellas cannot move backwards....so I guess, from a symbolic perspective, that is what you would want your country to do....although, I've often thought knowing when to strategically retreat can be a good thing....

While Rich was 'speaking', Joan went to the National museum.  It was a fantastic presentation.  Lots of pictures, but we will save those for another time.

Canberra in the evening

Rutherglen mainstreet

Not that we have a theme going...but it did rain much of the time we were in Canberra.  It may have been some residual from Cyclone Yasi up north.  At any rate, we headed out Thursday afternoon and made it to a beautiful little town called Rutherglen in the middle of northern Victoria wine country.










We arranged to do some touring the next day, and having our friend, who also turns out to be a head of the Wine Economists of....( Aus, America, the world.....hmmmm don't know)....( and yes....there is such a thing....talk about a great title!).

basic resource economist

wine economist

wine taster - no econ involved

 It had been a beautiful sunny day....and then the sky darkened, the winds picked up, and in a matter of minutes, we were in a different world.

same place, 15 minutes later

20 minutes later

Save the wine!

just like Saskatchewan

 We had over 50 mm in about twenty minutes....and a total of about 4 inches of rain that day.  The building we were in began taking on water....quickly.  We bailed....  They were saying, "Have you ever seen anything like it?"........yes.....two Gray family weddings came to mind....We had to change routes a bit for the afternoon - some roads to wineries were under water....but we managed to take the high road....

wine crew

 The settings of some of the vinyards were incredible....as were the tasting rooms.  Nothing like a castle to make you feel like you are living the good life.  The rain stayed away until the middle of the night, then poured down again.

Almost time to go home, however we managed to find a local paper to read with coffee in the morning.  We just couldn't pass up sharing the front page story....The Aussies may have us beat in sports, strange predatory beasts, and a few other things....but technology????

 Seriously, this was in the morning paper.....Apparently they have as much trouble with 'red tape'...well, at least 'tapes', as we do.  In reading, the last 'standards' were set in 1986 on school specifications....and logic cannot interfere!  
After our smug little chuckle, we set off for Melbourne.....and just in time.....water was coming over the road....and this was the high road.....We made it out, but roads were closed several hours later...and word has it the town could be isolated for several days.   Western Australia still has a drought....we are headed there next month.....

water coming over!

Wonder what next....

a sunset back in Melbourne