Basket Making

There were a few of us. More than in the pictures. We gathered at Rocky’s and Margy’s place. A great shared lunch to get the creative juices flowing and then outside to make baskets from various vegetation found there on the farm. And we didn’t let the drizzle hinder our progress. We were lucky to have four very experienced basket makers – Margy, Kaye, Rocky and Jill.

Jill, Georgie, Kaye, Annie and sorry but I forget her name.

And here is Kaye amongst it all – her favourite place.

I was feeling fairly crap by the end of the day because of chemo side effects so didn’t get the images I would normally get – like the finished products!

But I have ended up with a basket that I will treasure. I can still take a photo of that and post it in the future.

SUMMER ICONS

 

 

Hay bales at Annie and Fuzz’s farm.

Clifton Beach to Gibson Steps

It was the middle of winter and a beautiful day. So we went for a walk.

Leaving the Great Ocean Walk track and coming onto the beach at Clifton.

 

 

Last time we did this walk we had to climb over rocks to get past this point, but this time nature had worked for us with a fresh cliff fall, and we were able to walk through the sand passage behind the fall.

Annie with her found treasures.

Breakfast @ the Twelve Apostles

It’s an annual fundraiser. The local Red Cross and Cancer Council get together and deliver a delicious breakfast at the Twelve Apostles.

Annie and I started early and walked about 12 kilometres to get there (this was huge for me) – along dirt tracks, through farms, and National Park. It was only in the final half hour of walking that I was needing a panadol or two or three.

Inquisitive sheep thinking that we may be delivering a meal.

Egg and bacon was first course followed by pancakes, strawberries and cream.

The Apostles were looking good.

 

 

 

It was perfect weather.

Walking at Egan’s Track

Morning phone call from Annie. Do you want to go for a walk? If you say yes, you can generally count on being absent for the rest of the day, and because I was moping around lacking motivation I knew I had to say yes.

We had a chauffer – Isobel Younis, it being her 78th birthday. Issy enjoys revisiting the countryside and while we walked, she enjoyed herself with reading and the odd fag.

It was a perfect day for walking. And why does simple picnic food taste so much better when eaten outdoors?

We walked Egan Track, slightly south of Carlisle River. Driving there takes you past some beautiful land – lush farming land, forests, national parks, heath lands, rivers, creeks, valleys and more.

Our driving route – Rounds Road to Eastern Creek Road to Melrose Road to Princetown Road to Fords Road to Valley View Road to Boulevarde Road to Gellibrand River Road to the turnoff for Egan’s Track. After the walk we drove the short distance to Carlisle River to check it out.

Egan’s Track

Lunch time where the food tasted wonderful.

Coral fern

Coral fern again, mainly dead and dried out.

Only saw this once. Photogenic pods but what are they?

I’m guessing a leafy purple flag.

This plant was beautiful. Most specimens weren’t at the flowering stage until this one at the top of a hill. Will have to find out what it is. Have found out - WOOLLY EVERLASTING.

Chasing Killer Whales

A phone call from Annie – killer whales had been spotted on our coast. They were feeding on the tuna that were doing their seasonal run. Did I want to join them on the boat and maybe get some photos? Would love to.

Annie and Fuzz own Port Campbell Boat Charters.

If the crane breaks down the fishermen get upset as this is the only way to get their boats into the water.

Local fishermen getting their boat back on land. The boats cannot be moored in the water and need to be lifted in and out with each trip.

Looking for the water spout. BTW we missed the orcas but we did find…

Lots of bird activity which meant that the tuna were about. Those rocks in the background are the Twelve Apostles.

Gannets waiting for the leftovers.

Plenty of dolphins to be seen, often cruising alongside the boat.

The captain giving instructions on how to reel them in.

Two tuna were caught in a short time. After that it was decided to stop fishing as two large tuna were more than enough. Many more could have been caught. Legally, each person with a fishing license is allowed a limit of two tuna.

Being a girl, I felt sorry for the tuna.

Annie having fun.

A friendly observer.

Jim the Fisherman with his catch for the day.

Preparing dinner.

Birthday Adventure – The Otway National Park

For my birthday Raelene organised to take me to lunch at the Ridge Organic Food Store and Cafe in Beech Forest.

Before lunch we worked up an appetite by doing the walk to Beauchamp Falls – one of a number of waterfalls in the Otway National Park.

The many attractions on the walk down to the Falls.

The destination. Only problem was getting back to the car – all uphill – nearly killed me it did.

Annie and Raelene.

We continued our adventure after lunch by exploring a bit more. We drove to Forrest, visiting the West Barwon water reservoir on the outskirts.

Then onto Gellibrand and home.

Yoga with Annie

Yes! I am back doing yoga with Annie – my own personal guru. So lucky!

From Geelong to Adelaide

I went on a train trip last week on the Overlander, with Kaye and Annie. We spent time exploring Annie’s roots as the Adelaide Hills is her home territory.

The start of the journey – Annie doing yoga stretches while waiting for the train.

Nine hours of pure relaxation – reading, trying to teach myself to crochet which I failed at, eating, drinking lattes, listening to music.

Exploring with Annie’s family.

The very controversial bridge over the Murray River, from the mainland at Goolwa to Hindmarsh Island. For much of the '90s, it represented one of the most divisive issues on the political landscape, featuring court challenges, a royal commission and a bitter cultural debate over Aboriginal spiritual beliefs. I must say, it is a monster of a construction that looks way out of place.

Love these old stone buildings – lots of terracotta colours – pinks, yellows and oranges.

Typical South Australian landscape

We bought these apricots at a roadside stall – very luscious. The three of us have decided we are going to paint this image.

Ah, not sure. Maybe the flower of the flame tree.

Gum blossom

Lichen

Near the end of the journey. Waiting for the train at Murray Bridge.