Silo art trail Vic.

Something I’ve been looking forward to seeing is the silo art , after leaving Pomonal we headed through Stawell, then some  of the small towns before getting to the 1st painted silo at Rupanyup. I just love this one, the boy reminds me of our Grandson Bodie love this photo …from here it wasn’t that far to go out to Murtoa, there is a stick shed there, but it was closed to the public, regardless of all the attractive  brochures advertising it. So  had to be happy with a pic of a painted tribute to the local fireys.  Then on to  Sheep Hills, sure doing it tough out here, beautiful old pub closed.Hopefully the silos ,will bring some life and money into the area. The earthy colours of these silos against the clear blue sky, make them quite spectacular. Next it was on to Brim, we paid $10 for a powered spot down on the lakeI was able to do some washing before going to take some photos of the lake and silos. Chris also discovered a pump, that created quite a bit of interest with his face book friends We went to the local sports club and had a few drinks before dinner. By now the predicted severe weather warning had come into play, with the wind picking up to near gale force by the time we got back to van. And it blew all night.! This next photo I took was on the information board showing the artist,  he was the first to paint silos in the Brim Township, starting an interesting trend. This morning we left reasonably early, hoping the wind would settle down , passed through Rosebery and took a photo of the silo there.The wind is crazy, so we decided to pull into Lake Laselles and sit this extreme weather out, as did most other caravaners today . Only a few drops of rain so not mutch help to the farmers that are having the top soil blown of their paddocks.  Hopefully tomorrow is a nicer day.

Pomonal Vic

After packing up camp and saying our goodbyes to a few we met, we headed for Pomonal, still in the Ararat area. There is remnants of a settlement from the early days and a tunnel through the hills to Bellfield. When we got there the the tunnel was closed, much to Chris’s disappointment.! I heaved a sigh of relief, as I didn’t have to confess, that there was no way I was going into that slimy black hole, let alone do 2 kms of it. I took a couple of pics and and we headed for Stawell.

Grampians vic

Had a drive around the area on our first day here. Out to Bellfield dam and lake. And a look around Halls Gap and Ararat area. Over the next few days we tackled the treks in the Grampians. Yes an exhausting effort to reach the peak, but glad I pushed on. This photo shows just how stuffed I was. Believe me it was no walk in the park ! The thing that kept me going was thinking of what my daughter, Jodie went through and my love of photography. Also I guess, a tad of stubborness.  Other walks were much easier taking in waterfalls and magnificent views of the mountain ranges.

This photo shows just how narrow parts of the pinnacle track is.  I have so many great pics, but they still don’t show just how awesome this mountain range is, you really have to see it, I’m glad we took the time.  Always on the lookout for something to aim the lense at, I was happy to spot some of the locals, think this fellow below is cute, but not cuddly!!

Ararat VIC

Time to move on, leaving the busy city behind we headed for Ararat. A camp spot on Green hill lake appears ok to use as a base while we explore the Grampians and surrounds. For a small donation, hot showers and water are provided, as well as a safe, picturesque, place to stay. The weather is being so good to us ,with lovely sunsets over the lake each evening. Continue reading Ararat VIC

Melbourne

Stayed 2 nights in a motel whilst the caravan was in dock. Did more browsing around shopping centers ,so many and huge too. We picked the van up on Thursday, and very happy with the work done.
Next we headed out to the caravan park at Rockbank, on the outskirts of the city and checked in for 2 nights. Handy to railway station and about 40 minutes to travel back in to Melbourne for the football on Friday night. So with water and electricity I was able to catch up on washing Chris’s brothers and son Michael and their partners arrived on Friday. Met up with them for dinner on the banks of the Yarra, before making our way on foot to the MCG. A lovely evening in the city.
Never mind that Carlton lost the game, we got back to the van by 1am, then caught the train back on Saturday morning and met up again for breakfast . What a lovely weekend we had and great weather as well. Lots of walking around the city ,which I really enjoyed. Hope we can all do it again sometime.

2018 04 03 Mt Bruno to Melbourne

  Early start this morning, left Marion and Tony’s by 6am .                                            It’s been a relaxing few days stay with them on their farm.Tony and Chris solved a lot of the agricultural problems from their office under                        the palm tree, while I was in my element, picking apples,                                                                         and walking around the acres of cherry trees,                  The olive trees are loaded at the moment, also grow grapes for wine                                                                  and most other fruits.            Amazing how they grow, as it is so dry and in need of rain. It’s a full time job, irritating at the moment.                                                                 We stopped for breakfast on the way into Melbourne, then dropped the van into Safari caravans for a couple of warranty repairs . Hopefully we will get our van back on thursday, meanwhile we are staying at the Meadow Inn. Handy to everything, but after an hour or so at Broadmeadow Central, now happy to stay indoors. Not a fan of city dwelling !!

 

2018 03 31 Henry Angel flat to Wangaratta

Chris went for a walk, while I packed up, seriously a woman’s work is never done, ha ha. We left the camp by 10am. Again trying to take roads that we haven’t been on before.  And again we ended up in someone’s house paddock.!! Ok, so we back tracked and found a nice spot on the river,just out of Towong to pull up and have some lunch, on the banks of the Murray. Heading towards Beechworth came across a steam train rally and country fair at Yackandandah . As we walked in the gate Chris met up with some blokes he knew, they had their gear on display from Pleasant Hills. One of the best displays we have been to. A beautiful  Finlay Organ played in the background, adding a magical fairground touch to the atmosphere.  . We made it into Beechworth in time to go buy our favourite cordial from the old brewery there. What a lovely day we’ve had. The weather is magnificent down this way at the moment. Arrived just in time for a baked dinner at my cousin Marion’s farm at Mt Bruno.

2018 03 30 Hume and Hovell Track

Still camped at Henry Angel Flat, Good Friday we decided to do the Hume and Hovell Track, walking over 6 klm, through farmland, following the river. This was  an old gold mining area. I learnt how to go over barb wire and electric fences. still have scars from my farming days, from getting caught up with barb wire. this track has steps over the fences. Simple,eh!   Also went out of my comfort zone, had to walk over a dead sheep on a foot bridge, yuk… Apart from that, the walk was good, so much bird life. also saw a platypus swimming on our way back. After lunch we went for a drive out to Paddys River Falls, amazing they are running, considering how dry it is. In all a good way to spend Good Friday.

2018 03 30 Tumbarumba NSW

A  couple of days in the free camp at Henry angel Flat. Yesterday friends Robyn and Frank came out to visit. Nice relaxing day catching up. The weather is perfect here at the moment, about 32 deg with a light breeze. Its a great spot, other campers are friendly, even 2 vans here from Casino, its a small world,eh. We’re camped beside a babbling creek, and there is lots of birdlife in the area. so fun with the camera for me.

2018 03 28 Jugiong to Tumbarumba

We left the little town of Jugiong by 10am after reporting to the publican that the donation box at the campground was full and could be easily have notes taken from it. He thanked us and was attending to it as we left. Its great that people donate and support these small towns, as they pass through. On the road or should I say, on an outback track ,of Chris’s choosing, we became lost . Yep the tomtom is wrong again !! Now .take 2. Bells Rd looks like the way to go. Arrived in Mr Bells home paddock. about 10kms down the narrowing track. Mr Bell wasn’t home. but his not so hospitable cattle dog was. Thankfully chained up. what a commotion, quick turn around and out of there. Now back on track we pulled up beside a river for lunch. would be a great spot to camp and fish. Time to move on, Took a short drive up to the lookout in Batlow, for a photo of the apple town.  Made it into Tumbarumba, in time to grab a few supplies before setting up camp at Paddy’s Angel Flat.