Christmas Memories: Melbourne 2016

The arcades in Melbourne are always decorated for the season. It is just like being in, say, England, except it warm outside (and the accent is different, the age of the building is much younger, etc.).

Stormy Evening Leaving Port

We got loaded onto the ferry and from the deck we could look back toward Melbourne and see the storm coming at us.

St. Kilda

Our day in Melbourne was Thanksgiving in the US (give or take a day, this time zone thing is still a bother). I just wanted you to see how we spent the time you North Americans were huddled around your turkey to stay warm.

Shopping in Melbourne

We checked into a hotel in Melbourne for the night. The next day we headed into town for a bit of light shopping before the ferry. The department store Myers does a series of seasonal windows (much like Harads in London or Marshal Field in Chicago) every year and I made a few videos of the people (especially children) enjoying these displays.

Storm Clouds near Geelong

On the Hamilton Highway, approaching Geelong, we saw some storm clouds floating about over the fields. Seems like a good time to stop for a look.

Koala Alongside the Road

After spending the night in Millicent, not too far from the South Australia/Victoria border, we crossed into Victoria on the last push before the ferry to Tasmania. As we drove along through country roads, we came upon a Koala wandering slowly across the road. By the time we got stopped and I switched to the long lens, he was starting up a pine tree.

Plantation Campground and the Grampian Mountains

Although the clouds came and went on Phillip Island, as we drove back inland at the beginning of our westward journey, we found solid cloud cover. When we arrived at the Grampian Mountains, we found a delightful place at the Plantation Campground. It is a government parkland and the camping is free. Sitting at the foot of the Grampian Mountains with the fog and rain coming and going, we pitched our tent for the first time.

Penguins

I am sorry to disappoint you with no photos of the penguins. Cameras were not allowed. We went out at dusk in the portion of the island block to vehicular traffic and sat on the beach with night vision monocular to watch the penguins come out of the ocean, waddle across the beach, and head off to their burrow.

It was a magic experience that everyone should have. The penguins really are tiny, perhaps 12-14 inches high. And contrary to the notion we have of the penguins in their black and white formal suits, these little guys are dark blue on the back and white on the front. Thus, they are ocean/sky colored on the back and sand colored on the tummy.

On the way back to the penguin center to get our car, we walked. We could listen to the penguins fussing at their neighbors or spouse, or just generally being talkative.

A magical evening not to be missed.

Grey Fantail at Rhylls

On the northeastern coast of Phillip Island is the community of Rhylls and a nature walk near the shore. We did part of this once before and visit the mangrove in the water's edge. This time we walked a portion of the more upland trail and found a grey fantail to pose for us.

I don't normally lead with a shot of a bird's behind but this is a good butt shot and I couldn't resist.

Pyramid Rock

On the south shore of Phillip Island, about midway between San Remo and the Nobbies is Pyramid Rock.

Swan Lake

Also near the far end of Phillip Island is Swan Lake. Although the flock of dusky moorhen above is enough to suggest that this place is not a haven for swans, think again.

The Nobbies

After leaving San Remo and the pelicans, we drove across Phillip Island to a place called the Nobbies. It is a headland on the end of the island with some interesting rock formations.

The Pelican Feeding

South of Warburton, just at the base of the bridge leading to Phillip Island is the small town of San Remo. Every day at noon, there is a pelican feeding by one of the local fishermen. He give a good description of the birds and feeds them for perhaps half an hour. At the end he tossed the last bits in the water for a frenzy.

Near Warburton, Victoria

So we begin here blogging the saga of our drive across (most of) Australia. We have had some trouble with getting wifi. Our host somehow thought that 5.5GB of data/month would be more than enough (well, it is for him!) and in the first two days we burned through half of that. So we are limited to using our phones at the house (we have have unlimited slow data there) and seek out wifi at cafes.

We are currently sitting at a cafe on the street facing the Indian Ocean. Really, it is just across the street and the foreshore park. But before we got to the place of shorts, T-shirts, and exotic oceans, we started in the goldfields of Victoria. Our first stop was at Warburton. Near there we found the Donna Buang Forest Gallery.

Saying Goodby to Castlemaine

As spring slowly arrives and the days lengthen, we experience a time of variable weather. Of clouds and clear sky. Of chilly mornings and warm-ish afternoons. And these sorts of clouds basking in the golden light of sunset.

We say our goodbyes to Castlemaine and the goldfields as we move on to other vistas and adventures.

B&W Retrospective

Once in a while I feel the urge to see what looks good in B&W. So, I go back and find some images to reconsider. Here are some photos you've already seen in color and a few, like the one above from Hanging Rock that you've already seen in B&W.

Moolort Wetlands

Not far from Newstead, between there and Maryborough, is a man-made lake called Cairn Curran. Around this lake are various places to look for birds. The trees that remain in the water make roosts for the birds that live there. Above, we see a Pacific Black Duck and a Little Black Cormorant.

The Castlemaine Botanical Garden

We've had a lot of rainy cool days lately, but during a recent spot of sun, I visited the Botanical Garden here in Castlemaine. such a garden is a standard fixture in every town of any size in Australia. Just like the bowls club, veterinarian office, and place to wet your whistle, it is an iconic part of small town life here.

I'm not entirely sure who we have above. I believe it is some sort of Mallard-mix. He's missing the band around the neck. Ducks are quite promiscuous and there are variations that span the gamut.

Lawn Bowling

I stopped by the Castlemaine Bowling Club to watch for a while. This is a significant game for Australians. Every town of any consequence has a bowling club.

Melbourne

Although I posted before about the shopping arcades in downtown Melbourne, I thought you'd like to see a few more shots of the place. We visited recently with our friend Cathy Eckman to show her a few high spots.