Chicken Rolls and Bubbly…at the Top of Oz

Day 8

Friday morning we were up and on the road relatively early (certainly early for vacationers) heading for Jindabyne, New South Wales. The Walkers (Andrews parents, Paul and Judy) have a holiday place in Jindabyne that overlooks the lake (which was created by the damming of the Snowy River) and is just below the snowline for the surrounding three ski areas…a destination resort for skiers in the winter along with other four-season activities.

We met up with Paul and Judy at their place and then went exploring Thredbo—one of the ski areas. It was a good excuse to walk around the village and then to stop for a coffee and some “snacks”.

Coming back down from the ski area we also made a side stop to test out some of the locally made schnapps at the Wildbrumby Distillery. They have tasting opportunities of the craft and it was enough to convince me to start filling my duty-free quota for the return to the States (some of you will undoubtedly have the chance to test some of these in the future).

The rest of the afternoon was spent with the guys heading off for a little bit of fishing in the river (and since Paul and Andrew were the only ones with licenses I limited myself to a little bit of casting…just for the experience but with no luck), and the ladies going to an outdoor sculpture exhibit along the lake’s shore.

The fishing location was beautiful and Andrew’s luck was running high when on his second cast he landed a beautiful rainbow trout (it puts to shame some of the cigar size trout that my fly-fishing friends like to catch…not to mention any names…I’m just saying…). As the photos show the trout went from the river… to the smoker… to being an appetizer on Melba toast in about two hours.

Separately, as we were walking along the river’s edge we needed to be careful of wombat holes—similar to a woodchuck hole…only about three feet in diameter. We thought we saw some rustling near one hole and then as we came upon another we found a wombat outside his hole getting ready to dive in. He was curious about us and waited for me to take his picture (and I have been told it would not be unusual for him to have charged me if he felt threatened.) The picture doesn’t really show you his size which is about that of a good sized pig.

Some wine, some trout, a lovely pasta dinner…all topped with some schnapps made a nice start to the holiday weekend (Good Friday is a national holiday in Australia and ANZAC Day being on the following Monday made this an extra long holiday weekend).

 

Day 9

Waking up on Saturday morning there was a nice view of the lake from the deck at Paul and Judy’s place…foreshadowing the coming of a great outdoors day.



After breakfast we headed for Charlotte’s Pass—a ski area on the adjoining valley to Thredbo. At the end of the road we were able to park, pack up and begin a walk/hike along the maintenance road to Rawson’s Pass, and then up the summit trail to the top of Mt. Kosciuszko…which at 2,228 meters (7,310 ft) is the highest point in mainland Australia.

Along the way we crossed over the start of the Snowy River…which was a good photo spot for all of us climbers.

When we reached Rawson’s Pass you could see many of the other holiday climbers that had already made their way to the peak (and a partial moon next to them).

We made our way to the top and settled in for a little bit of lunch. Judy had made Chicken Roll sandwiches and Paul had carried up a bottle of bubblies in his backpack. We finished the meal off with some chocolate Easter eggs and then got some photos of us all on the Top of Oz.

As we made our way back into the bush at Charlotte’s Pass Paul and Judy pointed out the uniqueness of the Snow Gum Trees—eucalyptus trees—and how they have different colors in their bark. Very unique and colorful. Our outing was a 9 km (~ 5.5 miles) hike in each direction or 18 km round trip (~ 11 miles), so we were all fairly knackered [worn out] by the time we got back that evening.

 

Day 10

Sunday was spent traveling back to Canberra…with a quick stop when we saw some emu in a field near the road.

That afternoon we went to a see the Canberra Raiders take on the Newcastle Knights in a National Rugby League (NRL) game. It was a fast paced game and we had a great time…at least through the first half while the Raiders were ahead, but then in the second half they collapsed like the Red Sox after the All Star break (or like they use to).



It was early to bed since we were getting up for an ANZAC Dawn Service the next day…that part of the Adventures to follow later.

Penguins and Oceans and Wine…Oh My!

Day 4

Monday morning we were up early and off to another part of Australia. It was a quick 45 minute (air time) flight and we soon landed in Melbourne. We picked up a rental car and were quickly reminded that driving in Australia requires a bit more focus… Luckily, we opted for a GPS with the rental car, so after only one missed turn we made our way to the Claremont Guesthouse to drop off our bags (too early to check in at 10 am) and also drop off the car (Melbourne has a great train and tram system…the car was for later).

In addition, Melbourne has some streets with ‘Hook Turns’…you make a right turn from the left lane.  It seems confusing, but actually makes sense when done since it keeps drivers from cutting in front of the trams. You pull into the intersection and wait for the light to change in the other direction before then flowing with that street’s traffic…and the tram would have cleared or been stopped by the new light.

We took the train into the city and got off in the old train station at Federation Square—the old architecture of the building is stunning and sets itself off well with some of the surrounding more modern architecture. At the visitors’ center in Federation Square we got information for using the free tourist shuttle to get a quick spin around Melbourne…being able to hop on and off as needed. Then we hopped back onto the shuttle to help us find the restaurant district (important reconnaissance for later) and other interesting spots in the city. We hopped off a couple of stops prior to returning to Federation Square so we could walk a little…and maybe find some gelato…

After going by the Cricket stadium (a bit of a shrine for cricket aficionados…we didn’t get off) we rode a bit further to the Carlton Gardens, surrounding the art museum and Exhibition Hall, and jumped off to walk through the gardens a bit.

 
Eventually we made our way back to the Square and then took a tram back to the guesthouse. This timing allowed us to get in a quick nap (remember…early morning flight, overcoming jet-lag, being on holiday), before loading back into the car and heading south to Philip Island National Park.

Our goal was to watch the Penguin Parade on Philip Island and we had made reservations in advance to be there. Fortunately again we had the GPS because we might still be traveling around the State of Victoria looking without its guidance.

Philips Island is the only place on mainland Australia that the penguins come ashore to their burrow homes. Up before dawn the penguins swim all day filling up on fish and then just before sunset begin to gather in ‘rafts’ just past the breakers. After the sun sets (and predators can not see them crossing the open beach) groups of the penguins hit the shoreline and run—more like a real fast waddle—across the beach to the dunes. Viewing stands are set up among the dunes by the Park Service and we were able to watch wave after wave of these 13 inch tall, 2 lb penguins work their way to their burrows.



It was fun to watch them and at some points we were able to get within a few feet of them. Pictures of any sort are not allowed (my photos are of some posters in the information center…but they look just like this).

After about 45 minutes most of the penguins were ashore and either in or standing near their burrows. They continue to call out to each other in what sounds like a mixture of peepers-sounds and sea-gull sounds with a little duck thrown in. All of the sounds begin to make some sense and I even thought I heard something along the lines of, “you’re out all day with your buddies and this is all you bring home…regurgitated fish and squid!” Some things are all the same in the animal kingdom.

We had a great time, and we were reminded as we headed back to the car that some of these penguins, besides swimming and fishing all day (some up to 20 kilometers away) were traveling as far as 2 kilometers to their burrows further inland…we were visitors in their home town.

It was a couple of hour drive back to Melbourne where after a quick supper near the guesthouse we decided to call it a night…so we could be rested for more travels the next day.

Day 5

Our Adventures continued with a drive on the Great Ocean Road. This is a very scenic drive along the southernmost part of mainland Australia. Some areas are reminiscent of the coast in Nova Scotia—the Cabot Trail on Great Breton Island and the Bay of Fundy—and in other areas it reminded me of the coast of Ireland—driving on the left may have influenced that as well.

We saw beautiful bays… and even stepped into the Tasmanian Sea for a moment.

lighthouses…   An Information Center Guide had recommended that we make a slight detour to see the Erskine Falls, so at one point we headed north from the coast for 10 km and found ourselves in the rainforest hiking down to view falls that drop 30 meters. It seemed strange to leave a temperate zone coastline and within a few minutes being surrounded by palms and the closeness of a rainforest…a wonderful side-trip.

 
Soon we were back on our way and as we cut across the peninsula that makes up Cape Otway, we turned down a side road to take us to the southernmost point. Along the way, we found a little turnout beside the road where a couple of other car had stopped and as we looked around we saw about a dozen koala bears sleeping in the gum trees (they are nocturnal animals and sleep up in the trees during the day).

Some of them woke up and move around a little while we were there, so I was able to get a few good pictures.
 
 

After stopping at the point on Cape Otway we returned to the main road and continued to an area called the Twelve Apostles where the sea has been shaping the land for centuries. We were able to get there just before sunset, and although the sunset wasn’t spectacular the land structure was beautiful.

 
  

From this point, we cut back inland and took a somewhat faster route back to Melbourne (3 hours driving as opposed to the 5 hours of driving along the coast). It was a tiring, but fulfilling day.

Day 6

It was a little rainy in Melbourne on this day, but that didn’t dampen our spirits…we were going on a wine tasting tour. A small group…a comfortable bus…plenty of wine…someone else is driving…all part of a well planned holiday.

We were picked up at 9 am and driven out to the Yarra Valley wine region. That meant we were at the first vineyard around 10:30 am and it was the first of four beautiful settings…and the opportunity to try several wines.

The tours included instructions for tasting wines (beyond the “put the glass to your lips and tip back” variety), an outstanding dinner at one of the vineyards, and we finished up with ‘Bubblie’—sparkling wine in the Champagne style—accompanied by cheeses and chutney.



We returned to Melbourne…well sated…by 4:30. We did return to the restaurant district later in the evening for a nice meal al fresco…in the pouring rain (under an awning). Our travels back to the Guest house were a little daunting with unannounced stoppages of some of the trams running and our having to figure out different ways to get back…but it all worked out and only added to the ongoing Adventures.

Day 7

Our time was spent mostly traveling back to Canberra and relaxing. We were invited to Paul and Judy’s house (Andrew’s parents) for dinner and we had a wonderful time. It also gave us time to plan the next steps in our Adventure…to follow…

What Makes the Flag on the Mast to Wave? Courage!

…as stated by the cowardly lion…

Day 2

We got a late start on Saturday (mostly due to my reaction to the jet-lag; plus Andrew picking up some ‘new to them’ furniture with his father Paul’s help), but then we were off to begin exploring. Cheri (having been here for two weeks already) had a good feel for Canberra, but our travels were to take us to some places she hadn’t yet seen.

As we began the Canberra tour it made sense to go to the National Capital Exhibit and learn the history behind the building of Canberra. Similar to the District of Columbia (DC), the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was developed as an area separate and distinct from the existing States. The place was chosen from a list of possibilities presented to Parliament by Charles Scrivener in 1906 and then an international competition was held for the design of the capital…with the nod given to an architect from Chicago, Walter Burley-Griffin (along with his wife Marion, a designer and who did the drawings).

The design centers on an axis between the two local peaks of Mount Ainsle and Mount Taylor. Along this axis is a mall with the Parliament Building at one end and the Australian War Memorial at the other. Various government buildings surround this mall, following different arcs all centered from the Parliament Building. Bisecting the mall is Lake Burley-Griffen, which was developed with building of the Scrivener Dam.

We drove to the top of Mount Ainsle and looked back along the mall towards the Parliament Building (the domed Australian War Memorial is in the foreground).



I took a panoramic shot of the City which shows how various Town Centers have grown around the initial concept. Originally planned for a population growth to 75,000 the current layout supports over 300,000.



Our travels then took us to the War Memorial. The Memorial is a stirring site and we were only able to spend a brief time there (at this time), but one begins to appreciate the courage and valor displayed by the Aussies during the Great World Wars and continuing to today. ANZAC Day—a national holiday to commemorate the Battle of Gallipoli during WWI and now eschews the same pride as our Independence Day—is thoroughly described in the portion of the museum we were able to see on our first visit.

Day 3

Exploring today took us to the other peak in the design of Canberra—Mount Taylor. We decided to hike a short way up the hill and then veered off into some fields…in search of ‘roos… From that point Sarah and Andrew took us to the Kingston Market—an arts and crafts market featuring local artists and materials. We enjoyed the crafts, made a few purchases, snacked on a few items and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.

    

Then it was back to the house where Andrew threw a few things on the Barbie and we relaxed on the back deck. In the late afternoon, Andrew and I headed over to the local Club to watch a little “footsies” (football, or in this case rugby) while enjoying some local brews.

 
On to Melbourne next…

In Search of My Own Glinda…

You may recall that she is the good witch in the Land of Oz…so early Wednesday morning I headed out on the yellow brick road to Oz (or Aus. if you prefer). Cheri had headed Down Under a couple weeks previously and now it was my time to search for her.

The first leg of the trip was a six-hour flight from Boston to San Francisco. I was then able to take advantage of an almost 8 hour layover to explore the finer points of the San Francisco airport. Finally I boarded a 747 for the almost 16 hour flight from San Francisco to Sydney.

As arduous as a 16 hour flight may seem, I was able to get over five hours of sleep, watch a couple of movies, and walk around a little to keep the blood flow and the interest up. Clearing customs went smoothly and quickly, and I was soon being welcomed to Sydney.

 
Similar to the route Cheri had taken earlier, I made a reservation with an express bus service to travel between Sydney and Canberra. It was a three hour ride that gave me an opportunity to see some of the countryside (it reminds me a little of the hill country of Texas…pictures later from a time when I am not flying by on a bus).

As I took a quick shower and then a brief nap, Cheri and Sarah began working on dinner…we seem to be settling in nicely.

Sarah and Glinda…I mean Cheri…met me at the Central Bus Station in Canberra. It sure is great to see Sarah in person after eighteen months (also pretty nice to see Cheri again after a couple of weeks). We stopped on the way to Sarah and Andrew’s house to pick up some meat pies (a staple food product here in Oz) for lunch and some wine (another staple) for dinner.

 
We are all safely here…so let the Adventure in Oz begin…

Still in Kansas…

Just a short blurb this time…it's not the adventures stopped happening…it's just that they seem slower when Cheri isn't here. Although it won't be long before I'm caught up in a tornado of activities getting ready to head for Oz and join Cheri on another adventure.

I checked with my doctor about biking or any form of lifting, and was told to wait a few more weeks. But, that didn't keep me from at least going out for a walk on Saturday morning (being an early riser made for a pleasant outing along the roadways).

Fortunately I put my camera in my pocket, and it is surprising what you see when you slow down and walk a little. Over the last seven years I have run and biked along these roads many times; this early morning some items jumped out at me that I haven't seen before.

Here are some of the early morning photos from the short loop near our house:

 

Next thing you know…I’ll be following the Yellow Brick Road to my next Adventure!  More to follow soon...

The Dawn of Renaissance

If we are coming out of the Dark Ages then this must be the Renaissance Era. Colder shorter days are behind us as we enter into Spring. With the longer days...here is a short update

To help us reach this point between the Dark Ages and today, the Adventures had to just keep on going. First off, I was able to go to a Celtics game as a part of an auction item from one of our fundraisers.

Next, Cheri and I were able to enjoy an Elton John concert in Worcester, which took us back over 30 years, and he was just as good as ever (we had gone to see him in Boston when we were dating in high school).

March Madness likewise helped fill in the time (although my experience and expertise in bracket-tology is somewhat lacking...it seems everyone’s is this year), and it became another excuse for some good food and wine.

Several of our wives took off for Vermont to spend a weekend away. That meant we guys could get together as well, cook up a little beef, and enjoy some time together as well; all with college basketball going on in the background.


While all this was happening my wrist continued, somewhat, on the mend. Although we initially thought that a closed reduction (having the bones set without having surgery) would work to correct the wrist it turned out that the bones settled out of alignment after three weeks...then open reduction (surgery) was required.

After surgery I now have a plate and some pins holding the bones together. The wrist is still a little stiff, but the scar isn't too bad and with massaging and stretching it seems to be getting better (I won’t both you with pictures of the scar)..

Cheri is off to Australia to visit Sarah and I had to join them in a couple weeks. Meanwhile new growth in the yard lets us know that the Renaissance of Spring is happening.



Let the Adventures continue…