Friday 18th May 2018 – Adelaide

Yesterday, Thursday, I would be heading out to my cousin Pat and her husband Neil who live right on the edge of Adelaide city.   I have always been impressed with how Adelaide has a park that encircles the city centre and wish other of our cities had had the foresight to do the same.   This wide stretch of greenery means parks, gardens and playgrounds separate the city from the suburbs and gives a beautiful break in the build up of  spreading suburbs.

I expected to arrive around lunchtime so there was no need to rush to leave, so made up my bed with clean sheets, tidied my van and after a lovely breakfast of porridge, I took my farewell from Jan and John, set my smart navi with Pat’s address and headed out.

Jan and Jon’s house and my van parked in their driveway.

I had had a great time with both Jan and John and had reminisced our teenage years, plus caught up on the news of those teenage friends and our own families.   My van and I were on the move again, even if only to another side of town.

I had been worried about finding a park at Pat’s place, but got a one hour park no worries, after that a two hour park and moved once again then late afternoon, a 10 hr. one came up really close by so my van stayed there till I left around lunch time today.

Pat and Neil have a lovely compact three bedroom town house of two storeys – a small courtyard in the front and slightly bigger one at the back plus a garage that you enter from a lane at the back of the house.  The back courtyard has many pot plants plus a couple of small vegetable corrugated beds filled with an array of veggies.   I slept inside as did not want to sleep in my van on a busy street.

Pat met me at the door with a hug.   She now looks just like her sister Jan, and both are the image of my Aunty Joan, their mother, who was a great favourite of mine.  We sat and talked and talked and talked as we have not seen each other for years, but we just picked up like we’d met recently.

We went for a walk in the park across the road and it was just beautiful and to think these huge beautiful trees are so close to the city.

Neil came home and another hug and more talking.  Neil, I taught in Sunday School when he was eight and I probably about 16.  It was a great evening, even though I coughed all the way through.   Somewhere along the way I have picked up this ticklish throat which makes me cough, and cough.   Hope it goes away soon.

It rained heavily early this morning and I was going to rethink heading to Innes National Park, but the forecast was for a cloudy but fine day tomorrow, so decided to keep to my plan.

In the funny way things work out, I wanted to go to The Art Gallery to see an Exhibition called “Colours of Impressionism” which are Masterpieces from the Musee D’Orsay and which will only be shown here in Adelaide.     Pat and Neil bought tickets to go this morning, so I was able to go with them.   The doors opened at 10am and we were there with quite a number of other people.

It was very interesting.  Monet and Renoir  – I really liked all that I saw of theirs.  There were lots of others I liked, some just didn’t appeal and that of course is individual taste.

Back at Pat and Neil’s, a quick cuppa and I left.

Neil and Pat.

It took some time to drive down to Innes N.Pk, and so I stopped at one little town to have something to eat and to get some supplies as from now on I shall be starting to head for home and not visiting anyone.

It was as I sat eating in my van I saw these huge flock of birds swarming around at the end of the street.  Some were landing on the cliff so I drove over.  What were they? Mutton birds?   By the time I got out to take a photo, over 3/4’s of them had landed and guess what they were?   Pigeons!

I wish I could have got the full number because believe me, they were most impressive, whirling and diving to roost on the cliff face.

Finally I arrived at the Park and of course had to register online at the Ranger Station.  The young man before me had trouble but finally succeeded, however I eventually gave up in sheer frustration and am now illegally parked (well I haven’t paid yet) with about eight others in the bush at individual campsites.

Now it is time for bed and I am really looking forward to my cosy bed.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 16th May 2018

Slept out in my little van – my choice.   It is lovely and cosy.  Jan came and told me they had a visitor  – a koala.  I was out and into the house in a flash.  From the kitchen window there it was – a koala up in their tree.

He stayed there all day, though curled up and slept and then he was gone.,I got to do s load of washing today so fresh sheets tonight, there is nothing like clean sheets.

Jan and John took me to Mt. Lofty and the beautiful view out over the city.   We went inside the cafe for a coffee then outside to check the view and get a photo.   However it was very hazy.  I was about to take a photo of Jan and John when a young man asked would we like a photo together, which we much preferred.   He and some friends had walked up to the summit.   I had noticed a fellow nearby and asked if he was one he walked with, as he reminded me of Mike, my son.  “Yes” was the reply, “shall I take a photo of you both?”.   With a wide grin, his friend came over and here we are.He was more like Mike side on, same height, lack of hair and grin.   I do love these funny turn of events that just happen.

i had rung my cousin , but eventually got Geof her husband.  They were in Bali!   Geof was on for a talk but I was having a fit at thought of the cost.  Taleah their daughter was home and only a matter of streets away, so Jan and I went around but she was not home, so I left a note.

Now we are about to watch the evening news and my dry but cold washing is warming in front of the fire.   Tomorrow I will go stay with my cousin, Pat and her husband Neil.   I taught Neil in Sunday School all those years ago and of course knew his family., never thinking one day we would be related.

 

Tuesday 15th May 2018

Woke to misty rain which was a pain as table, chair and gas stove out in it, but managed to cook porridge and eat in van.  Shower was lovely and hot.   Packed up and headed out along The Coorong.

The Coorong is this amazing stretch of country with the ocean, large sand dunes running parallel  then behind a large stretch of inland water that goes for 110 klms, made up of two lagoons joined by a narrow passage, then smaller sand hills, vegetation and the road.   This part of The Coorong, you can actually see from the road but not the ocean of course because of the sand dune height.  It is a National Park.  Here are a few pictures.

 

Naturally you can’t see the ocean as it is behind the sand dune way in the background.

I turned off a bit further on to Jack’s Point Observatory and walked to a Pelican viewing area.  There were no Pelicans to be seen so took photo of a poster instead.

The next point of call was Meningie where I stopped and bought a chicko roll which later I regretted, but at the time it tasted great!   I was looking to buy an eco mug which you can get filled with coffee in shops and is, therefore good for the environment.   I went to various shops, unsuccessfully but did find some pelicans and of course Lake Albert was huge though the photo can only show a tiny portion.

A bit further out I stopped to take a photo of the Pink Lake.   Victoria has one too up in the Mallee which seems pinker.  This was only a tinge of pink.I passed a sign for a ferry but missed the turn, however further on another sign came up for a Ferry to Wellington.   I turned off, for I love ferries and before long came to the river with a 4WD towing a caravan and a car ahead.   I parked behind and waited for the ferry to come over from the other side – seven cars drove off.  The 4WD with caravan drove on first, then the car and I drove beside it.   The river was flowing strongly, pushed by the wind and I realised it was the Murray river.  Another car and caravan, plus another car came in behind us and then we were off.  I got my purse out ready to pay, but it is free.  That doesn’t happen often these days!  My friend Jan says they are all free and South Aussies love their ferries.

 

I drove off and made my way to Gawler.  This is a historic port town with lots of lovely stone and timber buildings.   Years ago The Coorong and Gawler were where the film “Storm Boy” was filmed.

I wanted to go see the mouth of the Murray River so drove up and over this really tall bridge, obviously built so big ships could go under.   The mouth of the river was 11 klms out of town and I could view it looking out over the water to where the river mouth is dredged to keep it open as otherwise the river gets too salty.You can see the ocean waves rolling in and the dredge that is keeping the river mouth open.

I then drove on to Adelaide to where my friend Jan and husband John live.   They have recently moved house and so I was looking forward to seeing them in their new surroundings.  Jan and I were teenage friends together and now I have met up with most of those we knew.   Only Win in Yorkshire in England is missing.

Sunday/Monday 13/14th May 2018

Woke up to seeing small ducks swimming on the lake.   Had to take my gas burner around other side of my van so I could make some porridge for my brekkie as it was so windy.

How about this old red gum at Lake Ratzcastle?   They are just so majestic.

Set off to Naracoorte, but stopped at Edenhope to get some petrol.  As I hopped out of my van, an older unshaven fellow in daggy pants and shirt, asked where I came from.  I answered I was from Q’land but used to live around here at Goroke.   “You know Bert Major?” He asked.  The name rang a bell so I said “yes”.   He pulled out his mobile phone and started dialing, saying as he did,  “Bert’s having a bad time at the moment, lives in Ballarat now”.   Meanwhile I’m Unsuccessfully trying to put a face to Bert Major.  Suddenly I hear him say, “G’day Bert, got someone to speak to you”, and he hands me the phone.  I say “Hello Bert, not sure if you will remember me, but  it’s Sue Heggie here and my husband and I lived in Goroke for 6 years”.   Of course he remembered me and we chatted for some time, then my new friend took back the phone, hung up and said to me,  “ You’d have made his day, you have”.

I filled my van and went in to pay and my friend was telling the owners who I was etc, so then I had to explain what I was doing travelling around revisiting places so it was some time before we both left the shop.  He was a nice old bloke and I had by now remembered who Bert Major was.  I gave him a hug and got a kiss on the cheek back.  Someone else had driven up and he said to them,  “She gives out hugs” – obviously chuffed.

I drove to check out Lake Wallace which actually had water in it, as it has been dry for some years.    It was so good to see it full again.

I then turned back a bit to check out, Lake Charliegrak, one of the many lakes in this area but one that had a set up for swimming.   The camping area was much better now and there were quite a number of campers there.

On my way again and before too long I was in Naracoorte where my “adopted” son lives.  Steve Joll was my Steve’s best friend.  That went to the same school and to scouts and they were always together – at Jollie’s house or ours.   Our families became best friends and we holidayed together quite a lot.   I, of course, had just been staying with Steve’s Mum and Dad in Horsham.

Steve and Katrina and daughter met me with a hug.   Sadly their son Ben died last year and so we talked of the feeling of loss and how grateful for having a memory so we can recall those wonderful times through the years.

Naracoorte is an old town and so has many stone buildings that add such character to a town.   I, however asked them to stop when they were giving me a tour around as the Police Station and Court House, fascinated me with this mural.

Steve took us out for dinner that evening being Mother’s Day.   It was then I noted the date, 13th.   My  Mum would have been 110 yrs old had she been alive.

Steve and Karen both messaged me and I spoke to Michael, Le, Trang and Alex.  Alex wanted to show me her panties she was wearing, (bless her), as she no longer is in nappies.  What a big girl.

This morning, Monday, Steve was going late into work, so he could cook me eggs and bacon  – how spoilt was I?   Then hugs all round and I set off for Beachport.   This was where we came for holidays and weekends when we lived at both Laharum and Goroke.   It is right on the coast with the Southern Ocean rolling in.   It is a fishing village and crayfish is one of their specialities.  Steve Jol always came with us and he loved the place so much, he and Katrina now own a holiday house there.  This too is where Lionel and Wendy managed the caravan park we always stayed in, and where in the summer school holidays we would camp there and help Wendy and Lionel during their most busy time.  Wendy, I went to America with last year and who I stayed with earlier on, on this trip.

Once at Beachport, I drove right around the coastline and it was as beautiful as ever. I got out and walked to Salmon Rock and all the time the memories were flowing of the great times we spent here.

Beachport, was home to the South Sea Whalers in the 1830’s who would hunt those beautiful creatures.  It actually became a port in 1878, but this coastline is fraught with danger with the rocky shelves just under the water line and many ships lie out in the depths.

I dove to the Pool of Siloam which is seven times saltier than the ocean and it is said no- one can drown in it as they become so buoyant.

I continued driving around taking photos and found Katrina and Steve’s house, then continued on my journey, heading now to Robe, but first I wanted to see, once again, the Woakwine Cutting.

In 1957,a Mr McCourt decided to try and construct a channel from the swamp on his land, through a mountain range to Lake George.   It was a very difficult undertaking and had not been attempted before in Australia, however with the help of one of his workman, he proved it could be done.   The length of the cutting is one kilometre, three meters wide at the base, cutting 28.34 metres in depth at the deepest point right through the range.  They moved 276,000 cubic metres of material and took three years to do it, all in order to drain water off his land so he had more land to farm.   We have seen the cutting from the lookout over it, but a safer one is being erected so I couldn’t see it or get a photo sadly.

However driving down the hill I did see Lake George over the other side of the road – I thought I must have missed it.   This is a humongous salt lake though not very deep and was ideal for Bruce to teach the Goroke boys canoeing and kite surfing safely on this lake.

This is one very small part of the lake.   There are lakes everywhere around this area, but Lake George I think would have to be the biggest.

At Robe there are lots of old buildings as this is a very historic town.  These are some of the buildings.

The next town was Kingston known for its enormous crayfish.   The town has grown a lot since my last visit and the crayfish no longer dominates the entry to the town, in fact it has been built all around and doesn’t have the effect it once did.

Then I was driving the Coorong  – a very beautiful area of sand dunes with the ocean behind it but the vegetation was high and I couldn’t see much, though hope to tomorrow.  Now I am camped at Salt Creek in the small campground.   Met a couple from Holland and we made a campfire and I put on the billy and made them a cup of billy tea – so lovely to drink that brew again.

Adelaide tomorrow.

 

Thursday 10th – Saturday 12 May 2018 – Horsham

I forgot to post this last time, but this is Mt. Zero on the left and Mt Stapleton, Flat Rock and around to Wellington’s head.  Our property was called “Mt Zero” and was named by the explorer,  Mitchell, who camped at the bottom of it when it was zero degrees.   From our house Mt Zero dominated and then the Grampians range was visible for as far as you could see.

Yesterday and today I have been visiting friends in Horsham.  Some moved from Goroke, others from Laharum.

It has been great catching up on what their families have been doing and sharing about mine.   This is actually what this trip is all about but I didn’t factor in the weather at this time of the year – it is  freezing.    I am wearing three layers, plus a jacket of Vèenie’s and still I am cold.

Thursday morning all Vèenie’s family came over for morning tea – well not all but those who live in Horsham, so sisters with husbands, their children – those who weren’t working  – and the grandchildren of one of the sisters – about 13 of us in total.   It was a loud wonderful time.  I knew all the sister’s well and their husbands and we had quite a few years to catch up on.

That night Sharon, who moved to Horsham from Goroke came over and we plus Vèenie were in hysterics at some of the stories we were remembering – mostly which I seemed the main player.

Then Veen and Alan’s son Tim came with his family.  Tim’s wife,  Bern, had been at the morning tea.  She told Tim his Mum wanted to see him and being so cold he didn’t want to go out.   He had no idea I was there and I didn’t realise he didn’t know but got the biggest hug from this very tall man I have known for many many years now.   Their  son wanted to do some tests for the fitness course that he is doing.  That was another happy session as Vèenie and I attempted to do the various tests we needed to do.  One thing I did learn is that I am 3inches shorter than I was.  Karen has often said I’ s got shorter but it was a shock to have it validated.

Friday I went to see Julie-Ann and Colin who have also moved into Horsham.  Julie-Anne was the School Secretary when we were there, so again we caught up on family and memories of our time in Goroke.   A few other people weren’t home but did see Gary and Bet.   Gary had been a Cub Leader with Bruce and after Bruce died they would always call in if they were up my way.  They had been ill but to me they looked great and again I was greeted with open arms.

Later I went into the Bakery shop and the young woman serving me, suddenly said “Sue”.  Puzzled I said yes, then she told me her name.  Fiona had come to our school in Laharum after we had arrived and she was Karen’s age and so finally Karen had someone her age to be in her class.   I think I did say our two schoolaged kids made 11 pupils when they joined? – now there were twelve.  We had a great catch- up and I can’t wait to tell Karen.

That night I was in bed exhausted.   This morning I packed the van, sadly said my goodbyes to Vèenie and Alan and headed to Natimuk to see Jenny who was once our neighbour in Laharum.  Sadly she was not home.

I headed towards  Mitre  but stopped off at  Mt. Arapiles.  This is a huge mountain not unlike Ayers Rock – Ularu.  It is just out of Natimuk and is considered one of the best places to climb in Australia, offering climbing of all levels.I couldn’t resist it so turned off to get closer.  There is a camping ground and as I neared I could see an array of tents so stopped to take a photo.  These were in an extended area and when I drove into the camping ground it had been well and truly extended and every type of sleeping equipment was there.  Tents, hammocks, plastic sheets strung up, swags.  It was fascinating.you can just see the blue tents and the one yellow one.  I didn’t get one of the main camping area as it was too big and stretched out.

These are just to show you the rock areas that people climb.

I drove to the top of the mountain to the lookout.  There is a fire tower here and there is a superb 360degree view from here.

Mitre has lots of lakes like this one on the left and often they are salt lakes.

I continued on to Janet’s.  We had been friends since our Laharum days.  Her youngest daughter was in my Brownie Pack and our Steven in her husband Richard’s Scout troop.  Richard died last year.  We sat around the fire and caught up and then I headed to Goroke where we had lived for six years.

First though I came to the Jane Duff memorial.  At nine she cared for her two brothers when they were all lost in the bush for nine days, right here.   Her story was in our school readers.

I continued on and came over the hill to the Cemetary and around the corner to the school.   This was Bruce’s first school as a woodwork teacher – he also became the metalwork teacher, plastics and outdoor education and graphics teacher.  The kids built a brick BBQ, a trailer, fibre glass canoes to just name a few.  The school is bigger now than in our day.

This was the part that was there when we were.

I then called in to see Marion, but she was not home.  Across the road is a park and after Marion and Ron’s daughter, Linda died of cyclic fibrosis,  my Brownie Pack planted a tree in her memory as she was a much loved Brownie who taught us all so much.  I went and took a photo. as the tree is now huge.  As I looked around I noted many more trees than before and they all had small plaques under them – seems our Brownie Pack began a trend.

Next port of call was to Nellie who had been our neighbour.  Colin her husband died six years ago but Nellie at 92 looked great.  We had a cuppa and she showed me a photo I had taken of her and Colin when I had last visited and I show her my lot all grown up.

Finally I headed to Lake Ratzcastle not far out of town and a favourite spot of ours.  Now it is a free camp area and there were quite a number of campers there.  It was So good to be back.  I cooked soup for tea and now it is bedtime.  The wind is blowing but I am snug in my van.

 

Isn’t it beautiful?   We camped, swam and canoed here.

 

Wednesday 9th May. 2018

John left early to drive the school bus.  It had been so good to catch up with him and Sue, but I will see them again next month when they come to stay on the way to visit John’s sister in Rockhampton.

Sue made me the most delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon, spinach leaves, cooked tomatoe on Turkish bread with avocado – fit for a king and I would not be needing lunch, that was for sure.

Sue’s family had had this farm for a long time and so the farmhouse has such character with a beautiful garden.   Roses abounded and each room had a vase of roses in it.  The chickens roam free and in fact one laid an egg in a chair on the porch as I looked out of the window at the view.  A productive vegetable garden and the whole area being one of peace with the environment.

The morning was cloudy so the roses around the garden have not shown up well.  Sue is there with two of their three dogs.  The photo to the tight is their vegie garden in raised beds.

i set off for Laharum where we lived for six years on 100 acres called Mt. Zero have the northern most mountain in The Grampians.  Those six years were THE most influential in my life as a city girl learned about country life.   All of our family have the best memories of those years and lasting memories remain.

I headed out on the Henry Highway towards Horsham then turned towards Laharum and The Grampians which rose high and ran lengthwise for as far as the eye could see.    The feeling of coming home engulfed me.

I turned off to the right towards Zumsteins, where we used to go for the school sports days.  Everyone would turn up to watch the eleven school children in the various races plus the sack and egg and spoon race.   All the farmer Dad’s came along too, something that didn’t happen in the town suburbs as the men all had to go to work.  The McKenzie River runs through here and fills up the Mt. Zero  reservoir which was just behind where we lived.

The McKenzie River.

Mr Zumstein lived in this area many many years ago and even dug a swimming pool and concreted it so the water from the creek was always freezing, but the swimming sports were held in it.   He planted pine trees and poplars which were very popular to be under in the summer, but when the National Parks took over these graceful old trees were all removed being non indigenous to the area.   I felt that history had been destroyed.   No camping there anymore, just picnic tables.

I turned back and found the road to Prue and Will.  When we first arrived in Zlaharum, Bruce was returning home when he was flagged down by Will.  He asked Bruce if he was the builder who had just moved into the area and on being told yes, said “ Well i’d Like you to come build my house with concrete bricks”.  Bruce said he was not a brickee but Will was not concerned and said he was sure Bruce could do it, which he did.  Their place backs onto part of the Grampians and Prue was a wildlife rescuer and so we never knew what animal would be there, but sometimes there was a baby koala and one tiny one fitted completely in Bruce’s hand.    Sadly they were not home, so I had to just leave a note for them.

Back on the main Laharum road, I drove to the school our three children went to.  What a surprise when I went in.   All these children.  The teacher came up to me and I explained  my children had been in the then one room school in 1975 and I just wished to take some photos.it was a really modern school and I was very impressed with it.

I turned back to find the First Lady I met when I dropped Steven and Karen off at their new school.   Pam was so friendly and I haven’t seen her for many years.  When she realised who I was she just hugged me tight.   Her husband Des was inside the house and we all settled down for a good catch-up.

I then continued on to see Carol who I had partnered each Saturday when we played tennis for Laharum.   Again the time flew by whilst we caught up on both our families.

Then it was to see the house we lived in.  Of course the house looks different and the house been extended since we were there forty years ago.   Bruce built us a milking shed and as no-one milks these days, it was not in good condition and was just a shed to put some bales of hay in.   The shearing shed was also not used, but  still it was good to see it all again and remember the fun we had here.

It was getting late so it was time to head into Horsham and stay with our best friends, Vèenie and Alan.   We had been friends since our Steven and their Steven became best friends.   Over the years we have supported each other through both the good and bad times and our friendship is very strong.

Tuesday 8th May 2018

Gave Ray and Kirsten a big hug and then drove out of Port Campbell heading for Byfield north of Warrnambool.   I had thought I would go via Warrnambool but my smart navi had other ideas so I ended up travelling through many small towns I had not been through before.   I was going to visit Dougie, Kirsten’s partner at their property.   I hadn’t been to this place before.

It was a lovely property but sadly Dougie was not there.  I had a good look around then continued on to Hamilton.   I was going to stay with John and Sue who live on the family home in Cavendish.    They were both young teachers when we lived in Goroke.   Now they have both retired though do relief teaching and John also drives a school bus a few days a week.

Ray had suggested I go to McDonalds for lunch in Hamilton as I could get free wi fi, however first I had to learn how to place an order – I don’t normally go to McDonalds, but I managed beautifully but didn’t manage to decipher how to use their wi fi.

As Sue was teaching, she had suggested I might like to go and see an exhibition of Banksia paintings.   Well they were absolutely beautiful and when you really looked at how they were painted, well they were amazing.   These paintings were from one of three books the artist had drawn and she is considered the best in the world when it comes to drawing flowers.  I studied each painting and was in awe at the accuracy and minute detail given to each flower, seed and leaf.  Banksia’s would have to be unbelievably difficult to paint and these were so lifelike.   Hamilton is lucky to be able to get an exhibition like this.

I  continued on to Cavendish and Sue’s family farm.  Sue came out to greet me and I got the biggest hug.   I consider myself to be SO fortunate in having all these friends I have been visiting, so pleased to see me.

Whilst having a cuppa Sue told me about the Inaugural Red Gum Festival at Cavendish which was held recently.   Cavendish and surrounding areas are known for their beautiful old red gums,  but concern has been raised  that they are very old now and due to clearing over the years, and that the trees do not easily reproduce, something should be done to bring this to people’s attention.

Sue and John were on the Committee and a dedicated group from this small community worked on getting grants, a programme with activities, food stalls, plus of course highlighting red gum in all its shapes and forms – Art Show, woodcraft stalls and even a lady doing chainsaw sculpture.   Then on the day disaster struck in fierce winds, torrential rain and even hail.   The community as a whole rose to the occasion and every Hall was suddenly stripped and stalls moved inside – the kindergarten, the  school, the fire station etc.   In all, even with this bad weather, it was estimated around 1,000 people turned up and so it has been decided to have it every second year.   There is no doubt about small country towns.

A red gum and two on Sue’s property with The Grampians in the background.

John came home and we enjoyed a lovely meal together catching up on our families. Georgie, their eldest was home after 2 1/2 years overseas- with a nice English boyfriend.  They were working at the hotel so they didn’t eat with us.

 

 

 

order

 

 

Monday, 7th March 2018

This morning Ray and I headed off to Timboon, picking up Barbara along the way.  We were going to have a coffee at the Whisky Distillery, which also has a cafe.  As we came into Timboon I mentioned my niece Kirsten who lives outside of Warrnambool, works there.  Ray asked what she did and I said something in computers.  That levelled it down to a Bank, the Hospital or school.  He asked re the hospital and I said she had worked in a hospital, then he described her, and blow me down he knew her.   He dropped me off at the hospital door and I saw Kirsten immediately.  Her mouth dropped – she couldn’t believe it.  We had a huge hug and I said I had texted her to see if I could stay the next night but seems she won’t be home.   Ray then walked in and Kirsten wanted to know how I knew him.  It was decided we would pick her up and take her to lunch.

We went back to Barbara and had our coffee and cake, then took her home as she was wanting to get back into her garden.

We went to the Bakery for lunch.  The man who I presumed was the owner was loud and funny.  He made Kirsten and I sandwiches for lunch which were really beautiful.   Ray wished he’d known about the sandwiches before he’d ordered a chilli pie.   Kirsten wanted to know how Ray and I knew each other – she knowing Ray from visits to the hospital.  Bruce and I knew Ray and Anna when they, with their daughter, Kirsten, came to Goroke as Principal of the school there and Bruce was the Woodwork/Metalwork teacher, so we go back a long way.

After dropping Kirsten back at the hospital, Ray drove me back to the Great Ocean Road and some more spectacular scenery.

Back at Ray’s, we waited for Kirsten and children to come over for a delicious meal that Ray had prepared.   It was good to catch up with Kirsten again, now a dedicated mother, far removed from the little Brownie I had in my Brownie Pack, when we all lived in Goroke.

Monday 6th May 2018 – Port Campbell

Woke early and was on the road after breakfast, having said goodbye to Wendy and her guests.   I had slept in my van which was so snug and warm.

The drive was through beautiful country.  Obviously the area had had some rain as the country was much greener.   This is extinct volcano country and so the road would wind right down into the floor of what had once been a volcano and then up the other side.   Inside the core there would be hilly parts and it was all quite beautiful.

Another thing that fascinated me was that there would be large heaps of stones that had been dug up by the farmer and heaped together so that the area could be ploughed.  One reasonably small paddock had five heaps of stones in it, some rocks quite large.  Then I passed a heap of stones that could only be referred to as boulders and I stopped to take a photo.

I wondered why landscaper gardeners didn’t buy them.

Eventually I drove into Port Campbell and found Ray and Anna’s most unusual house.  Ray had been the Principal of the school Bruce taught at and which our three attended also.

When they retired, Ray and Anna  chose to build this highly unique designed house and if my memory is correct they built it mainly themselves.

Ray took me sightseeing along this incredible coastline – the memories flowing of all the times spent down here.

What an amazing coastline this is.   Doesn’t matter where you look it is totally awe inspiringly beautiful.   We watched the helicopters flying people out for a view of the coastline from the sea.  It costs $170.00 for a 15 minute ride, there were 3 helicopters flying – as one landed another took off and people were lined up ready to quickly move into the helicopter as the previous passengers got out.   What a turnover, what a money making scheme.

We moved just a bit inland to the river that runs into the sea.

There were kangaroos everywhere.   Then we headed up the road to where Ray and Anna’s daughter has a house and walked out on the cliffs there.

And here is Ray on the cliffs.Another beautiful day, and a night of sharing memories.

Sunday 5th May 2018

Wednesday 3rd May.

Continuing on,     After I left the Old Melbourne Cemetary, I drove to Kew – thank heavens for my smart navi.  The traffic was getting heavier and I was in an area I was not overly familiar with, not to mention all the changes since I left Victoria 15 years back.  I was going to visit Eileen, one of my friends from my teenage years.

Eileen has had a really rough trot recently with cancer and is waiting now for radiation.   When she came to the door, we had the biggest hug.  She and Ernie had just got in from Tassie where she had been judging a quilting show.   She makes the most amazing quilts and has travelled world wide displaying her quilts and running workshops.

Together now we went on a trip down memory lane remembering all we had done together, plus catching up on all the news of our families.   This is what my trip is all about and it was just wonderful.

That night I drove to my sister-in-law, Jo’s and we walked down to the Hampton shops to The Brown  Cow for a meal and catch-up.  A great time.

Thursday 4th May

I went down and told Ray all I had done and he was most interested in everything and the photos.   He suggested I should go and find our “old Unc’s” grave in the old  Cheltenham Cemetary.     Uncle who owned the Woodyard in Sandringham died in 1994 at 94.  He was in a Nursing Home, but his memory was fantastic –  bit like Ray actually.   He had a fall and got gangrene in his leg which the Dr’s wanted to remove,  but he was adamant.  “I came in with 2 legs and I am going out with two”.  No-one  could budge him and our family supported him.

i was in Darwin at the time (1994) travelling around Australia, and so I flew down to him.   I visited him, spoke to the Drs. then headed to Healesville to quickly see my Mum.  Next morning when I got back Unc had died.  I felt having  seen me, he was happy to go.   We had the funeral and Unc. had to be cremated as his wife, our Aunty Minnie, was buried with her parents and sister and there was no room for Unc.   He would have wanted to be with her and there were no other sites available in that Cemetary anyway.    Later his ashes were placed in that tomb, though when they were to be placed there a swarm of bees swarmed and the Service had to wait till they had gone.

Now to find the site!   Once again there was no information spot so I rang in and was given the position and site no and set off.  Due to the numbered position being out of sequence, it took some time and another phone call to actually locate the site,  but eventually I did.    

I was surprised to see that Unc’s name was not mentioned on the gravestone, so rang   the crowd that does it and will see about getting that rectified.   I placed a white camellia there where his name should have been, in remberance of them all and especially for the wonderful memories of Unc and how he took us kids down the beach in the summer, delivering with ice in the winter and wood in the summer with the horse and cart, unloading the wood from the railway trucks, getting the coke etc.  –  Jim, Ray and I had a wonderful childhood.

This was my last night in Sandringham, and Lissie who is a wonderful cook made the best mushroom risotto.   I shall miss my Sandringham family.