HOPE

This is the last of the "Lap 1" paintings called "HOPE". It was inspired by a walk at Port Smith on the 80 Mile beach WA. Sections of the river were cracked and had not received water for many months yet this one little seedling had germinated. Hope you like it.

She's Named

Well Melbourne is living up to it's reputation, 35 yesterday 18 today and rain LOL. But, the weather has not stopped the highlight of this seasons celebrations - the official naming of Miss Guided 2. With much fanfare, champagne and excitement of the local ducks and rabbits, Miss G 2 was officially unveiled and is now ready to rock and roll down the highway.

AAAAAgh the ol' Paddle steamer on the Murray pic

Today has been a real beauty, cool morning but by lunch time it was 25 and a clear blue sky. Our van site is right alongside the river and all of a sudden there was toot and along came this ol' paddle steamer so I just had to get the pic.

Sorry Hans but the Paddle steamer "Gem" is but a pale copy of its former glory. The Restaurant is gone and the interior is gutted, a very sad sight. Off to Maryborough tomorrow.

Drought Busters strike again

Now you might think we are getting paranoid, but truly it has rained everywhere we have been from Geraldton onwards - Perth, Bussellton, ALBANY, Esperance, Fraser range Sheep Station, Ceduna, Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Clare, Melbourne, Warrnambool, Mt Eccles nat. Park, Nelson, Narracoote, Lake Mournpoul and today here at Swan Hill, so maybe we will hang out a shingle and advertise our services.

As you can see from the above pic's, the last 24 hours has been entertaining, top left, Last nights deluge at the Lake, absolutely bucketed down and the lake was 20 meters bigger half an hour later. Top Right "Henry" our neighbour at the lake. He came stomping through the site on day one and let everyone know that this was his patch. Bottom Left "A Mary Poppins Moment" at the Kangaroo fence and last but not least today at Swan Hill. We had just finished setting up and down it came LOL.

YES

I am still alive. Sorry about the delay in updates and pics but we are at Mournpall Lake in Hattah National Park and the reception is very iffy, not to mention that there is no power, water etc etc. The weather so far has been great until this morning when right on song in came the rain. That now means that every place we have been to since Geraldton WA now 2 months ago has rained on us. Does that mean we might be "Drought Breakers" ??? interesting thought LOL.

Off to Swan Hill tomorrow (yes Hans we might even go down to the paddle steamer for dinner, just for ol' time sake) for a couple of days then slowly making our way back to Melbourne for Xmas and New Year. Pics tomorrow.

Now I have put my life on the line by publishing this one, if i am not heard from within 24 hours called the police LOL

It's an Evolutionary thing

Today it was off to the Narracoote caves and fossil centre and at the entrance is this big sculpture which someone just couldn't go past - I think it's called catching up with ol' friends LOL.

As you can see we are back to going, looking and having fun, standby for the fossil and friend tomorrow.

Princess Margaret Cave

Yesterday it was off to the caves for a quick tour of the formations and it is quite spectacular. The cave is only a young cave in the area and is still very active. We then headed off for the 2.5 klm walk along the Glenelg river but didn't realise that it was 2.5 each way LOL drrrrr you'd think we would know by now LOL. The tally was: one Brown snake that Ron tried to stand on, one stumpy tailed lizard, lots of black wallabies and the biggest green ant you have ever seen. Raining today so off to Mt Gambier to see if I can change over the Xmas lights at Bunnings.

It's the crater lake at Mt Eccles

This morning we left Mt Eccles but not without same difficulty. We needed to turn MG2 around and hadn't taken that into account when we parked. So after half an hour of very very careful reversing we managed to get out of the park - JUST LOL.

It's off to Nelson down on the Glenelg River which promises to be an interesting couple of days. Firstly it's where the Princess Margaret Caves are which if the weather picks up and the temp goes above 30 we can put the kayak in the river and paddle/peddle to the caves which would be great. Also we are only 40klms from Mt Gambier so might head up the highway to do the flash trash shops etc. We will also be travelling through, passed or around Swan lake, Emu Flat, Dead horse Swamp, Black Swamp, Nobles Rock, One Tree Hill and Jones Ridge - who the hell thought up these names LOL

It's Sad

Well we have finally given up any sense of dignity and hung the xmas lights around the awning, very GRISWELL of us LOL. last night as you can see Noddy and Paul dropped in for the first dinner party at MG2 which also doubled as the first Christmas party so out came the table cloth, fine glassware and best plastic plates (the Lyns will know exactly what I am talking about LOL) and for the festive occasion up went the "Solar Powered" Christmas lights (how green of us). Right on time down came the rain, in blew the wind so we spent the rest of the night inside. BUT, before the weather we had the game of Bouche (Tks Lyn D) and the dynamic duo of Paul and Moi came up winners.

She's out and DIRTY in the bush

At last we are back on the road for the shakedown trip to see what falls apart and what we want to change. So far so good but we have renamed Warnambool to Albambool (as in a cross between Albany WA and Warnambool Vic because they are both cold, wet and windy). Today we cruised up the road to Mt Eccles National Park and Daniel and Paul live just down the road so its easy to drop in for a drink and something to eat. So far we have two Koalas living above us and from the signs around the site, there are lots and lots of kangaroos and other wild life. Miss G has been great so far, but this little stay will be the test as we are totally free parking - No power and No water, only hillbillies among the trees.