Where's Hervey now: April 2011

6 March – 7 March We spent a couple of nights at Tracy’s Uncle Tom and Aunty Marg’s place where the boys were enthralled by Tom and all the animals that the farm had – especially the pups. We did a tour of the property with Tom and took a ride into Coota on the school bus thanks to Kathleen where she picked up Darren (Tom’s 17 yo grandson) who the boys took a great liking to. They enjoyed feeding the menagerie of animals that are kept on the farm including the goats , dogs , cats , chickens , horses and pigs ( which are held in their paddock by an electric fence).They were a bit stunned when Darren brought a rabbit back to the house that he had caught with his ferrets and proceeded to kill and skin it before their eyes. I’m not sure if they had bad dreams after but their faces were a sight to behold. We all had a great time at The Brawlin farm and were sad to leave the place behind.

8 March – 21 March We left Tom and Margaret’s place at Brawlin via Willis Road which goes past Kathleen place and through some hilly country to Gundagai. On the road we passed some crazy looking sheep that are bred so that their wool falls off. Looks like they have some horrible disease when you see them running off the road with half their wool hanging off their backs. Also saw a crazy tree stump that turned out to be an alpaca watching us drive past with just his head turning as we went past. We arrived at Gundagai and went to Jenny and Noel’s place where we ran into Noel as he was returning from the doctors in town.After catching up with Noel we went to Tracy’s Aunty Norma and John’s place and then onto Uncle Phil’s where we had tea. We stayed at Jenny and Noel’s place for a few nights during which time I dropped Hervey down at a mechanics near the bottom of the lookout to have a head gasket changed and was given a rough idea that it would be finished by the middle of next week. Enough said. While we were at Jenny and Noel’s we went for a walk around town and visited the old school site that was washed away in the floods of the 1800’s. We were lucky enough to have a look at the old goal that they are restoring opposite the present day police station. We borrowed Noel’s ute and took a drive out to Tumblong to visit Tracy’s nan and her auntys Lyn and Gay that live out that way. The boys had a great time on Allans new quad bike. On the way back to Gundagai we used our RACQ deal and got accommodation at a hotel for six nights and car hire for the same time as Hervey was going to take a bit longer than expected. While we were arranging the RACQ thing we caught up with Shane and took a ride in Phil’s fire truck which we were all very impressed with. On Sunday the 13 we went for the leisurely drive in the country. We out through Darbalara where we we called in on Uncle Trev’s and also saw Alan ,Trev’s brother and Uncle Geoff’s brother Johnny who had killed a beast and were trying to put it through the mincer but the mincer didn’t want to play the game. We then continued on past Adjunbilly and back into Tumut where we had some great pies for lunch in the park. A visit to Blowering dam came next where we drove along a road following a fantastic looking creek and nice green fields that I would have loved to stick the camper up for a few days. The dam itself was impressive and the extra height to the wall of ten foot or so can be easily seen that they have added. We drove up the eastern side of the dam where there are lots of campsites right near the water’s edge , now that they have had some rain.I later found out that these are all free camps which is amazing.We ended the day with tea at the Gundagai RSL with Jenny and Noel which was a very pleasant night indeed. Monday we stopped by at the mechanic to see how Hervey was going. We trhen drove over to Wagga to have a look around and see Tracy’s Aunt Barbara and Uncle Des who gave us some good tips on outback travel. We also had some good news from RACQ that we could stay another three nights and have the car for same and that each ‘incident’ with the truck was a new one where we would get the same deal each time so it was definitely worth the extra cash to upgrade the deal that we had. We went out to Lyn and Geoff’s and had tea and arranged to stay at their place for a few days as Hervey was going to be a bit longer – why am I not surprised. Vic also went to hospital today suffering a bit of SOB.We left the hotel on the Thursday and went out to Geoff and Lyn’s place to stay. Had lunch in town at the Star with Norma Grant Mark and the kids. Geoff met us in town and picked up Bay from Noel and Jenny’s place and took it out to Tumblong.Got hold of the workshop where Hervey is and he wont be ready until Monday arvo so I’m really happy and am loving Gundagai at present. Everyone is being really great though so shouldn’t complain to much. On Saturday 19 we went to the Gundagai Giddyup. Now there’s an experience for you. It was a rodeo with style and a few beers thrown in for good measure. We bought some cheap oilskins and Akubras which was bonus for the night. That day we had gone with Geoff and Jimmy to their farm at Tarcutta to have a look around. Sunday we all took a drive to the Coolac pub and saw some photos of Les in hi hey day in the footy team from 1969 and 1970. We have the photos of the photos to prove it.Monday we went back to Coolac pub for a few more photos and picked up Hervey – Finally. Wont mention in polite company the bill. Went back to Geoff and Lyn’s to pack up to go tomorrow.

John,Norma,David,Tracy

Barby at Phil's place

Flood marker - Gundagai

Old bridges - Gundagai

Old Bridges - Gundagai

Old Goal - Gundagai

Matty at Old Goal - Gundagai

Railway Station - Gundagai

Liam and Ozzie - Noel and Jenny's

Matty and Ozzie - Noel and Jenny's

Matty and Liam on Alan's quad

Tony,Matty,Tracy,Liam,Phil with Phil's fire truck

Matty at Tarcutta

Matty and Liam at Tarcutta

Tracy,Liam , Matty at Tarcutta

Matty and Jimmy at tarcutta

Liam and Jimmy at tarcutta

Alan Matty Gai

Alan and Matty

Alan and Matty and cows

Vic and Nan

Old bridge at Gundagai

New bridge at Gundagai

Tony Tracy Matty at lookout at Gundagai

Blowering Dam

Been a long Day

Quietest he's been

Pitstop time

Matty at Wagga

Hervey in the workshop

Mark Emma and kids

Lisa Norma Grant Jack

Matty Alan Liam

Tony at the Gundagai Giddyup

Can we go home now

Les Bower - back row 5th from right

Geoff and Johnnie at Coolac pub

I'm a bit over Gundagai - Coolac pub

Lyn and Sue - Coolac Pub

Pool sharks - Coolac Pub

Coolac Pub

Nan Tracy

Matty Jimmy Liam

22 March – 24 March We are finally leaving Gundagai – after a small detour to the mechanics. They had left the lift points off the head so had to get them back. They also informed me that there is a small weep from no. 2 injector that had caused the miss in the start up that morning. Will need to get that looked at later but not in Gundagai – need to get out of the place. We Made a steady run for Ballarat with a few stops on the way including the submarine town.

Boys on land locked sub

Dennis and linda's - Ballarat

We got to Dennis and Linda’s about 1800. The following day I went with Dennis to his farm today to have a look around while Tracy took the boys to Sovereign Hill for the day. We ended our stay at Ballarat by having a bit of a drive around and doing a bit of shopping before we set off again tomorrow.

Liam Matty - Ottowa fly

Liam Tony Matty - Ottowa fly

Tony and friend - Ottowa Fly

Tony Matty Liam - Ottowa Tree walk

Tracy Liam Matty - Ottowa Tree walk

Tony Liam Matty - Ottowa Tree walk

Lichen on a tree

Leaves

Matty Tracy Liam - Ottowa tree walk

Liam on the run - Ottowa tree walk

What the !

I thought it was Tracy

25 March -26 March On the way out of Ballarat we stopped at Target and tried to replace Liam’s DS that had stopped working only to find out that it would be sent back to the shop that it was sent from so have decided to send up to Lyn to take to Target at Hervey Bay. Scenic but long drive to Apollo Bay where Fred and Becka are at. We caught up with them when we stopped at the café where Fred was working curiously called ‘Great Ocean Road Café’. They came around to the park where we were staying and Fred had to go to work back at the café but Becka stayed and had a camper kitchen dinner. The following day we went for a drive up to the Ottowa Fly and Tree walk.The Fly ,basically a flash flying fox through the bush, was about $350- for all of us for about 3 hrs. Me being a bit tight (and a bit of a woose when it comes to hieghts) we opted for the walk through the bush and the elevated walkways. It was really spectacular and well worth the $70 or so. Liam was a bit over it by the time we finished – what with his tired legs and all. There were some fantastic plants and big trees that we saw during the walk. We ended our day there by having lunch and then driving back to Apollo Bay via one of the forestry roads. Stopped at Fred and Becka’s place when we got back and caught up with them again for a little while before heading back to camp and dinner.

Becca Tracy - Apollo Bay

Hervey and Bay at Apollo Bay

Matty Fred Liam at Apollo Bay

Matty Apollo Bay

Hervey and Bay leaving Apollo Bay

Koala at Ottowa Park

Hervey and Bay at 12 Apostles

Apostle

Tony at 12 Apostles

Apostles

Tracy Tony Matty Liam at 12 Apostles

Tony on Hervey at 12 Apostles

Apostles

Matty Tracy at 12 Apostles

Matty Liam at 12 Apostles

Hervey and Bay at Portland

The family at 12 Apostles

27 March We had all intentions of getting to Portland today but didn’t stand a chance when we left at 10:00. We stopped on the way out to say goodbye to Fred and Beck and tell them again that if they couldn’t travel with anyone that we were keen to take up the offer and meet them somewhere along the road. It was a very long day along the Great Ocean road (GOR). We should have allowed more time and not tried to rush it. It was a spectacular drive and there was far to much to see.We did the lot with lots of stops for photos and wee breaks. Towards the end it was a bit like ‘ Oh no not another amazing rock formation jutting out to the ocean’ For those of you that have travelled Europe or England it’s a bit like the ‘Oh no not another bloody castle’. Really amazing and stupendous scenery no doubt. Best way to really take it all in would be to plant yourself about halfway along , like Port Campbell and take a few days to really suck it all up.Shortly after leaving Apollo Bay we went to the Great Otway NP and the lighthouse (didn’t actually go to the light house as you had to pay and by now you know I’m a bit tight) and saw the most amazing thing I’ve seen for a very long time. Heaps of koalas just hanging around in the gum trees by the side of the road. Fred had said that there were koalas in the trees but I hadn’t thought it would be as incredible as it was. As those that know and love me know that I’ve travelled overseas and been around a bit but the sight of those koalas was truly breathtaking. People that live in that area and see them everyday should really appreciate how lucky they are. As I mentioned we didn’t get to Narrawong which is just east of Portland but ended up at Port Fairy Botanical Gardens campsite which in itself was very interesting and would have been worth spending a few more days there to have a good look around.

28 March – 29 March We left Port Fairy behind, I had spoken to Ian last night and looked at the bill for the work on Hervey and realized that the mechanic had charged me for parts that I had supplied – namely a brand new water pump – but after a quick morning phone call arranged for one of Tracy’s Gundy relies to go around and collect some cash , and headed towards Portland where we stopped for a while and did a bit of stocking up. While we were there we went to the port area and had lunch and visited the Info centre there. I was to receive some very distressing news while there. Whilst talking to the lady behind the counter about Bunnings and other large chain stores she informed me that there were no ALDI in either SA or WA!!!! The ALDI store in Portland was the last one that I would see for several months. At least I have the website. There was a very large woodchip stockpile at the port that apparently was destined for overseas markets. After we left Portland ,and I had my last ALDI fix, we set off for our nights camp at a free camp near Princess Margaret Rose Cave just off the Princess Hwy A1. We drove down a dirt forestry road onto bitumen and wound up at the PMRC camping grounds – not what we were after. We had a quick wee stop and turned and drove the 13 or so k’s back to a spot that we had driven past on our way. We got back to a narrow section of bush between the sprawling pine forests and had a look around for a campsite. We started to unpack only to realize that there were heaps of ants nests and it was by pure luck that a couple of forestry workers stopped and had a chat and suggested that we try the free camp ground near the turn off the Princess Hwy that we had taken to get here. We did as they suggested and after a bit of over the border driving found the said campsite directly opposite the turn off into the PMRC. The park is signed as Pinaster Picnic Area and is a great free camping spot. Its set amongst huge pine trees and you basically camp underneath them on a floor of pine needles. The spot was fantastic. It’s about 50M off the hwy but in so many trees that you cant be seen from the road unless someone stops at the area. It’s about 1k inside the Vic border on the Northern side opp the turnoff for PMRC. Great spot. If you are in the area and into free camping try it out. The following day we went into Mt Gambier where we stopped at Rivers and bought the boys some shoes. As we made our way up to the Blue Lake we happened across a tank and some other army vehicles across from the RSL. I had a chat to a bloke there and found out that they are going to open a museum there soon and had the opportunity to pick up a chopper that was goingf for free but the Mt Gambier council apparently said there wasn’t enough space . As you can understand the guys organizing the thing were a bit annoyed. We made our way up to the Blue Lake and had a drive around it with a few photes thrown in for good measure. We then went down to Valley Lake where we had lunch and then had a walk through the nearby animal park. On the way back up we stopped at the carpark for the Centenary Tower and had a family discussion about whether to go up or not. Surprisingly Liam was all for it. I don’t think he saw how steep it was. After 10 mins we were at the top and although the tower was closed there was an amazing view over Mt Gambier and it’s surrounds. We made our way after this short interlude to the Umpherston sinkhole on our way out of town. This is basically a dirty great hole in the ground about 30M across and 10 – 15M deep. It’s got terraced gardens and picnic area in it. Not something you see everyday and is a must to see if you visit Mt Gambier. When I return to the Bay I am going to attempt to replicate some of the gardens unless I come across some cheap concrete in the mean time. We made our way back over the border to Pinaster Picnic area and did something you don’t get to do in the average campsite. We all had a naked shower together not 50 M from a hwy. There are a few bum shot photos getting around somewhere to prove it. If you’ve a weak stomach probably best that you don’t go looking for them. After we had all recovered from our shower we set down for a big night of schoolwork for the Weboys – they really loved it.

Pinaster Camp

Army vehicles at Mt Gambier

Tank at Mt Gambier

Blue Lake - Mt Gambier

The family at Blue Lake - Mt Gambier

Hervey at Valley Lake - Mt Gambier

Centenary Tower - Mt Gambier

Umpherston Gardens - Mt Gambier

Matty & Logging truck - Mt Gambier

Who said my boys couldn't act

Matty in trouble

Logging truck restored - Mt Gambier

Pinaster shower - what freedom

Mary McKillop school

30 March – 31 March We left Pinaster today along the A66 and got to Penola where Tracy took boys on a pilgrimage and did the Mary McKillop walk around the town. We found our camp for the night at the Naracoorte Caves campsite.. The boys made instant friends with two kids that were camped ther also , Joel and Amy, and spent most of the remaining arvo either playing with them or watching Little House on The Prairie in their Jayco off roader. The following day we did a couple of cave tours. The Victoria Fossil Cave wasn’t quite as impressive as I thought it was going to be but interesting enough. We went from there to the Wonambi display centre and had alook at the Wonambi Fossil display there. Absolutely excellent. It was a great display of the bush and a cave system as it would / may have been back in the prehistoric age. Lots of great photos and would highly recommend it to anyone going to the area. We finished off our day at the caves by taking a quick walk down to the Wet Cave. We went from there into Naracoorte itself and stocked up a bit on all the essentials and then back to camp for a late lunch. The campground was full by about six and the kids had come up with a new business with their friends of ‘Kangaroo Tours’. There were heaps of the two legged critters around the place. Also had the excitement of a tap stand being knocked out of the ground by Liam. Luckily I was able to screw the thing back into the hole as couldn’t find the cut off valve and the ranger had gone home. All in all a great time at Naracoorte.