December 2014

03 December 2014

Despite starting work at 1pm instead of 3pm this afternoon began like most other days, the sun was out, it was hot, the sky was blue and the trucks were coming in to deliver wheat, barley and rye. But as time wound on the sky began to turn from a beautiful blue to a rather ugly grey, and then the race was on as we tried to cover seven open bunkers before the grain got wet.

Storm at work

The cloud as it came over and before the fun really started.

The rain began to fall quite heavily and we even had some hail just to add some spice. We were sopping wet but we did get the bunkers covered and when they are opened tomorrow the grain will dry out and it will be like nothing happened. It was an early knock off but we were glad to go home to get dry and enjoy a nice hot shower.

15 December 2014

Friday saw us finish another harvest and after packing up Saturday morning saw us head off out of Pinnaroo towards Melbourne for a round of early family Christmas events.

Passing through the Mallee Region we entered and passed through a very dry sunburnt Birchip and Wycheproof before arriving in Bendigo before taking in some very scenic countryside to Heathcote and Seymour. Entering the hills of the Great Dividing Range the dry, burnt yellow and brown was gradually replaced with ever darkening shades of green which was a pleasant sight. Our overnight camp was at King Parrot Creek next to where the Great Victorian Rail Trail (formerly the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail) passes and Macquarie Perch can be caught (apparently) but have to be released and not taken.

King Parrot Creek

King Parrot Creek with Rail Trail bridge in the background

We shared our camp with one other camper (and a large number of mozzies who found feet and ankles a delicacy) and woke to the Kookaburra alarm clock.

Heading towards Gippsland we passed through Yea and Toolangi where we came down the hill through a very winding road barely wide enough for us to pass another vehicle coming up, and where the view out of the window is just a magnificent vista of thick forest, the straight tall trees with their colourful trunks towering over the road and the lush green tree ferns that line the roadside.

Toolangi Forrest Road

More country towns and small villages like Launching Place, Powelltown, and Gentle Annie passed by before we again climbed and climbed arriving in Neerim South with its commanding views. Dropping down to the Princess Highway/Freeway and it was a short hop to family and a Christmas lunch with family complete with Turkey and yummy vegetables.

The next week or so will be full of family events and then...

30 December 2014

We've been having a great time since our last post and after three different family Christmas Day events have caught up with much of the family. We have also managed to have a look around and taken some roads that could be best described as goat tracks. We have also had time exploring up in the Strezlecki Ranges where one of Joanne's brothers lives and where the peace and tranquility are pretty much only interrupted by bird calls and the views from the verandah (including out to Bass Straight) are magnificent.

Morning View

The view towards Bass Straight in the morning with fog in the valley.

The Old Dairy

The old dairy under a moody sky.

Paul and Geoff took us for a couple of drives through the area including through the State Forest and Pine Plantations and to a small waterfall that by its location and the track to get there only a few locals would know of its existence. The leeches sure knew where it, and we were though as did the mozzies.

No Name Falls

Un-named falls we hiked to through the State Forest and Pine Plantation.

No Name Falls 2

A closer look at the falls.

Another day and another day out in the car and we enjoyed a trip through the Tarra-Bulga National Park to view the falls and river that are surrounded by beautifully tall Mountain Ash and thick, luxurious, tall tree ferns.

Tara Falls

Tarra Falls in the Tarra-Bulga National Park.

Tara River

One of the view of the Tarra River

and so another year is almost at an end and the next year of adventure is almost upon us. We will be leaving family in the new year and heading off to explore some more. In the meantime we wish all of those who are following us a Happy, Safe, Prosperous and enjoyable New Year.

Mark Twain once said "...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - and so we will.