Blog 23 - Healesville - Lakes Entrance - Sunday 9th - Wed 12th August 2015

"Ah there's a bin.” Moose says after I jokingly comment on the lovely view of a row of bins from the kitchen window, including how watching people put their rubbish in them, makes me feel part of the community.

Bonnie is unsettled she wants to sit in the car to make sure we are taking her with us. She keeps following every sound Moose makes outside while packing up.

Woori Yallock road is supposedly quite a main one but the bumps and grooves in it make it feel more like a goat track. It winds its way through farmland with tree covered mountains surrounding us. Trees overhang the road as we bump our way along to Pakenham where we will meet up with the freeway and hopefully a cafe

We drive through a few small towns including one called: Cockatoo which is a small town with the essentials like a post office, café and pub.  Houses are built into the hillside surrounded by trees. The next is Mt Burnett which is a small farming community. We are on a fairly straight road as we hit the outskirts of Pakenham. There are housing estates were orchards used to be and cows munching grass on a few paddocks in between estates. Turning onto Princes highway we see all the usual fast food outlets fighting for space followed by houses and more houses. Then the green fields open up again with small rolling hills in the background. A couple of right turns and moose has managed to avoid stopping for coffee again.

We turned off the freeway to stop for a stretch. Then moose sees a sign for toasted sandwiches.  Which he had read wrong as it was actually for the next turn off. This means we find ourselves on a narrow road unable to turn back. Eventually we find an equally narrow cross roads and do a tight u turn back towards the freeway. Moose gets out to check towing gear - it was ok. I took this opportunity to get out of the car and have my stretch. Now he's hunting down his cheese and ham sandwich.

A Little girl shows me how to juggle. And tells me she works here. She is saving for a car when she grows up. Has already got $152 dollars towards it. We talked of puppies and school and lots of everything including knock, knock jokes and how old Moose is. The verdict 65, she wouldn't take 55 as an answer cos he has old hands!!! Me …….she had no idea but thought I was younger than 50. Definitely a lot younger than Moose.  The "clean" joke book for kids was even brought out. All through this, Bonnie was getting cuddles and told how Tute she is. 

At the end of lunch we said our goodbyes. I gave her $2 to buy a Choc frog or something. Her eyes went like saucers as she said “thank you, I now have $154 towards my car” and ran inside to put it in her money box. We picked up fresh fruit and veg and headed off.

The next town we drive through is Yarragon. On the right side of the car is a long busy Main Street while on the left is a train track and farmland. Next town is Trafalgar which has houses built up on both sides of the road /railway. Most are old buildings with verandahs including a patchwork and quilting shop - lucky for Moose it’s Sunday and its closed. More farmland spreads out to the mountain ranges which look like they are covered with a thin blue film.

Coming into Latrobe Valley. Huge power stations stand out against the trees around them. There’s a huge mine too. “You want a stretch?” Moose asks. Wow I'm impressed. I answer that would be nice as my back and ankle are not happy today. "Okay, I'll have a quick power nap then" he pulls into a large truck parking spot behind a petrol station and promptly falls asleep. Bonnie and I have a walk then I annoy the shop assistant by buying a coffee, he would of much rather finish his private phone call.

Half a dozen large roundabouts and we find ourselves in the city of Sale, the Town centre goes forever. More driving and we cross the Avon River to Stratford which is a pretty country town. I spy a book shop and can't help comment on the fact every town seems to have a bookshop as opposed to WA where you really have to hunt them down. How cool is that! Next is Bairnsdale another big town. 4 lane Main Street with a Mc Donald's squeezed in between little shops photo
We continue crossing another river as we head out of town Bonnie sleeps through all these towns. There are two more beautiful wide rivers and some pretty little towns and we are nearly there.

We arrived at Lakes entrance at 4.30pm. We pulled over at a lookout to survey the pretty town below us, while we checked details of each caravan park on the phone. 

Bon used this opportunity to chew a stick

Across the road from our park

That's us on the Right

We found a park with just a road between us and the water with the bonus that we were the only van in so had our choice of sites.

Monday 10th August 2015 - Lakes entrance

I awake with no Moose in the bed. The TV is on low and the curtain pulled across to keep the light /sunshine out of the bedroom. This AMAZING. I lie on the bed just enjoying the fact I was not woke up. Sitting up I can see Moose’s legs (around the curtain) stretched out across the van resting against the kitchen drawers. Lying upon them is Bonnie's a lime Green blanket then the princess herself. To get out of the bedroom I climb over them both.  Bon didn't move. Well she yawned but didn't move. Once in the kitchen area she eyeballed me with one baggy eyebrow raised her big sad eyes saying: “please don't ask me to move”.
About half an hour later she had to put up with her mat being moved to near the heater vent as Moose was off for a paddle. I knew that call of the water would come. I have my usual thorn in my side, not only my bursitis but a bloody noisy chainsaw lumber jack has started up somewhere nearby.

Never take for granted having a shower long enough to condition your hair. I feel like a new woman. Moose is still paddling, Bonnie is chilling on the soft grass outside, chewing her bone.

Later I walked Bonnie across the road to be in position to take a photo of Moose paddling. It was perfect timing as he was heading back around the bend in the river in front of us. While he went for a shower I had the joy of going to the laundry to catch up on some clothes washing. Then it was time to put my studio up - annex.

Moose made the sewing studio cosy while I made toasted sandwiches and Carmel lattes. Plus made the amazing discovery that the grill has 3 heights which solves our problem of how to melt the cheese on our toasties.

My view on my walk home.

I had popped into town for a look around and had a good laugh when the local newsagent had its own 80s style disco going. I was singing along to Boney M’s Rasputin which impressed the guy behind the counter. He was going to turn the volume down but as I was obviously enjoying it as much as he was the volume went up instead. The guy says he spends all his time and money chasing up these gems. I found a dress shop, some op shops and the craft shop so had a few bags to carry home which was pleasant as my path was all along  the water front. 

Moose was happily sitting watching tv while I shopped. He walked Bon to meet me as I neared home. I cleared my purchases away and tried out a couple of new stitches from my "free form crochet book" then put dinner on. A quiet evening of blogging and Telly ensured.

It’s midnight. Rain taps steadily on the roof, moose snores and Bonnie well Bonnie sleeps like the dead. I guess I should head off to bed.

Tuesday 11th August 2015. Lakes entrance
Even moose slept in today. It was 9.45 before we moved and that was to sit and read in the dining area. At 11 we walked into town with Bonnie. Had lunch then moose and Bonnie continued on to check out the surf club while I dropped into a shop where I had seen a felted jacket yesterday but it had been closed. Not only was it open and the jacket still in the window - it was my size AND it had been discounted to half price. Win win win. I walked home picking up some bits and pieces, bumping into Moose and a very wet Bonnie near the park. She'd been swimming.

It was time to sew. Moose had a power nap and Bonnie dried off. Energy revived Moose headed out for a paddle while Bonnie and I stayed by the heater in my studio. There is much crap Xmas gift creating going on.

I have to give moose credit for his mission to find a good bakery. He headed to bed at about ten, I thought he was reading his book which is on his phone but no, from under the covers his voice rumbles. I ask what he had said “there’s a day trip from here, about 150km return to the high country. Lots to look at particularly an old bakery which is still in action known for its scones jam and cream.”

The heat has slowly disappeared as the heater is on a timer, so I am off to bed. Still am not used to Vic time it's 12.44 but my brain knows it's only 10.45 in Perth
Night

Wednesday 12th August 2015

We have been away six weeks which is about halfway through our 3 month adventure and we are really getting into the rhythm of no rush to do things. The sun is shining and it's warm enough to go out without a jacket.

We had a slow morning of reading, well it started as reading then I seen an email from the dept of culture. In it was an invitation for artists to enter the wearable art competition for the stretch festival in 2016. The brain kicked into gear. Sketches have been made and shopping list started. While moose focused on the dust/vent problem in the van. This was done while resting his eyes. A saunter with Bonnie to the tourist bureau / visitor centre to see if we are missing anything, passing "the boat shed cafe" on the way. A quick chat with a very tired Tomas in Edinburgh then drop into the cafe in the way back to the van for lunch.

Bonnie put on her leash/run outside, happy watching the world go by. Moose finalizes his dust bursting idea and I step in to my studio at 12.30 pm for an afternoon of sewing. After dinner we hunted down the movies which strangely shares a building with the squash courts. We ordered our tickets, our coffee, malteasers, Pringles and juice for Moose. Moose pulls out his wallet to pay only to discover, they don't have eftpos and we don't have cash. I am left as a deposit while Moose goes for cash – he did come back. It was a little off putting when movie was quiet you could hear the grunts and groans from the squash courts

Dust busting Moose & Designer Moz signing off x

Blog 22 - Gough Bay - Healesville - Thurs 6th to Sat 8th August 2015

Thurs 6th August

Lying in bed thinking we are parked in the middle of an oval I wonder how long before the lawn mowers start up. No more than 10 minutes later the reverse beepers of trucks sounded, trees getting crushed and generators humming.

Moose had the joy of running out of hot water as he conditioned his hair. I did not laugh at him – well at least not out loud. I have learnt an itchy scalp is a small price to pay for not freezing (no more conditioning for me).

Again we discover phone reception is crap. I am amazed how much of Australia hasn't got coverage. I thought it was only the outback but no, it's more you’re lucky to have it wherever you are. So everyone take a moment to be thankful for your phone signal. I am kept fit walking to the top of a rather large hill to receive signal and be able to send my texts, emails and facebook catch ups.

 As we headed out for a day of exploring. Moose’s oversized mud flaps were making a racket so we stopped to take them off which happened to be near a picnic site. While Moose tinkered with the flaps, I took Bon for a walk or should I say a disappearing Act. I walked, she caught the scent of something and she was off. Time for resetting boundaries I think, Moose has been letting her off with murder. 

Skies are grey with big grey cotton wool type clouds making them even darker. Sprinkles of rain on the window screen, are not quite enough for the lazy electronic wipers to move for. Green hills roll around us and the temp gauge says 9 degrees.  The road has shallow puddles in the dips of the Tarmac from last night’s rain. Leafless willow trees line the road and sheep beseechingly ask us with their eyes to bring them into the warmth of the car. Heading towards Jamieson the cloud cover is starting to swallow up the mountains so our view looks more like one seen through dirty glasses.

Time for a u turn, we have found ourselves on a dirt road. Not a good idea when heading towards snow. The scenery has changed to houses tucked into valleys by the river and forests along mountain tops. A babbling creek runs alongside the road.

The queue at the boom gates of Mountain top Resort entry gate and pay station too us by surprize. We didn’t realise to visit  Mount Bulla and/or Mount Sterling it is necessary to pay the same fee as people who are going up for the day to ski plus dogs are not allowed to enter without a permit. The Mountains are owned by the Resort  and it’s a $45 fee past this point. Very disappointing Victoria. 

MMM think you need to be inside Moose!

So back down the hill we go to Mansfield for lunch. We actually sit inside the bakery rather than freeze outside but Moose amuses me when he steps out to correct a whimpering Bonnie and decides to stay outside with her while I sit inside with my coffee.

On way back to Gough bay we stopped at the pretty little park next to Bracks Bridge which crosses over the Delatite River for Bon to have a run.

Then onward to the top of a hill near the Caravan Park which had a lovely view over the lake, plus the added bonus of a good enough phone signal to send my blog.

Friday 7^th August 2015
Lack of a good sleep last night due to the sounds of some animal which sounded like screeching pigs meant a slow start for me. Moose decided to follow my lead so we sat and watched a couple of episodes of ”Wayward Pines" I merrily crocheted at the same time. I say merrily only because I didn't swear once and finished a cool flower block. I have in my head an idea for a crap Xmas present that I'll make from these crochet experiments but God knows if I'll ever finish it.

Once we started moving I made lunch. Moose fiddled with the phone reception box with no luck so we walked up a hill and got our emails. Bonnie just pranced around sniffing and sniffing and going where she shouldn't.

Moose took her for a walk while I got stuck into another art journal page. Once the noise from the grinder in the fenced area next to us stopped Moose had a nap followed by a paddle

We finished the day with a drive to the lake which also had the added bonus of good phone reception. My skin hurt from how cold the wind was and we were happy to return to our warm van. We ordered pizza in the local shop and settled in for the night. 

Saturday 8^th August 2015
We are moving today. I think to lakes entrance where we plan to stop for 4 or more days. Thank goodness. I have to confess I enjoy stopping longer than flitting across the country like a butterfly or like a rambling Moose. This is for a couple of reasons. The first being the obvious need for creative space. Somewhere the sewing machine can sit awaiting my return or the art gear can be left spread out and tempting. The Other not so obvious reason is: I like to really check out a town or area. Get the feel of why people choose to live here. Get to the bottom of what makes it tick. I guess, just while I've been nattering on this thought came to the forefront of my mind: constant moving from one beautiful spot to another sends my mind into overload. I want to capture all the inspiration but we are driving or moving faster than I can process it.

As moose opens the door of the van to go outside to start the pack up. The sun rises high in the sky spreading warmth and cheer. He says "that would be bloody right, it would be a beautiful day for you (me) to set up outside today". Which is true as I wanted to do that yesterday but the biting cold and dull grey skies weren't inviting. I answer "course it would"
We continue our pack up dance. Him outside winding up legs, undoing his small washing line, unhooking and packing up the satellite dish, electricity and water plus any outdoor stuff. It took a little longer this morning as he had his ski to put back in its cover and load onto the roof racks. While I took the shower head down (to stop it falling while travelling), put all bathroom products in drawers, locked bathroom door so it doesn’t slide, turned down ceiling vents, opened roof shades, dishes, packed up coffee machine, art gear, toaster, kettle, pile loose bags etc on the bed off the floor, check cupboards/drawers are closed tight. Moose finishes off with removing the TV from the Wall stand and places it on a foam mat. The floor gets swept and everything is double checked. Mats and stool (yes I need a stool) put inside. Bonnie is directed into the car, car backed up to Caravan tow bar with my amazing hand signals. Lights are checked. Book, crochet, phone, notebook, bag and water bottle are put into the car – I’m ready to roll. Moose is finishing hitching up the van. I mumble to Bonnie (she’s the only one listening to me) that it must be morning teatime but she is already asleep on her mat.  I check my watch. It's 11am.  Moose pops up from near the tow bar. “We always do that it - miss morning tea. It should be brunch! “ The route has been entered into the GPS which has registered it to be 450 Km. considering the amount of places between here and our final destination, I think we may get distracted

Our friendly hosts come out to say farewell. The men got their heads together to check the route. While us women talked more general town goings on. Apparently this quiet little park has up to 400 campers in park during the summer months which leads to bumper to bumper traffic all towing boats. The little café which has one person running at the moment increases to five staff members. Due to the lovely weather this weekend and good snow falls all the cabins are full tonight.

For the first time since we got here the sky is clear enough for us to be able to see the peak of Mount Bulla in the distant covered in snow.

The sun is shining as we drive through Mansfield. People are everywhere; shopping, talking on phones and enjoying coffee. 

The day gets brighter and warmer as we drive on past Bonnie Doon with mist on the mountains and moose eyeing off the lake for a paddle. He's missed the turn off due to this lost focus. Now we have to turn back to it.

We have seen quite a few some sleeping (Dead) wombats on the road. The Sun disappears behind the grey clouds which have come in force and taken over the sky. There is no traffic going in the same direction as us but a steady flow of traffic in the opposite direction, heading to the snow.

Moose uses a comment that only a ski paddler could use when pointing out a flock of birds. He points to his right and says "a triangle of them well a flock then. Like a bunch of ski paddlers paddling together riding each other's wake”

We stopped at Yarck. The giddy goat cafe to be exact which a perfect choice was. Homemade pies and sausage rolls, good coffee and amazing vanilla slices. A walk through this picturesque town where the original buildings still stand. 

Some in a little better condition than others and we find 2 more cafes a hotel 2 churches and a fantastic book shop where I disappeared to for quite a while. A worn leather couch facing a fire with the invite to sit down and relax was nearly my undoing.

Back on the road at one thirty with the mist rolling slowly over the hills towards us.

Cathedral Ranges

The next town is Alexandra which is quite a large town. Old wooden houses mixed with 80s style craziness. Then suddenly a massive Mitre 10. Not far out of town are the Cathedral Ranges which look very much like a mini Flinders Range.

Seeing another sleeping wombat Moose makes the comment that running into a wombat, they are such a solid little animal though I can’t work out how they get run over as I've yet to see one moving near the road.

Coming into Buxton, there is farmland up to the edge of the mountains which are densely covered in the new re growth of eucalyptus trees and white leave less trunks of the burnt out ones caused during a huge bushfire in this area a few years ago. At the top of the mountains it looks like someone has stuck a wall of twigs to separate it from the sky line


Marysville welcomed us with a lovely green golf course and 2 sleeping wombats by the side of the road. People are everywhere wearing beanies and mittens, scarves and coats. Smoke puffs out from the many cottage chimneys creating a very picturesque winter scene.

 

The Ute is working hard to stop flying down a very steep windy road through all this Bonnie sleeps. Our road winds through the forest of eucalyptus and tree ferns. Winding its way through the Yarra ranges national park - black range Forest. It is so pretty that I had to get out and take pics. Through the open door Bonnie smelt the Forrest so is now sitting up taking note. Though a couple of minutes later she realizes there's no getting out for her so curls up and returns to her dreams

Maroondah Reservoir

Maroondah  reservoir provides us with the perfect spot to enjoy the beautiful view. Further on we come to Healesville which is a big town complete with a district hospital, traffic lights and a pile of shops. We pick up fuel. And Moose decides it's time to pull over for the night as he wants to set up for the rugby on tv tonight. I figure if we find a place near town that would be good as I could go to a movie or something. Atlas as per usual the caravan park is nowhere near town and I'm not looking forward to sitting in the van with Rugby on the tv and nowhere to hide. I'm sitting in the dining area. Headphones in listening to music and computer at the ready to do my blog. Moose is on the bed with the bowl of chips and glass of water I sent him there with. The TV speaker on my side of the van has been turned off. Rugby is on. He keeps trying to talk to me. I've told him I'll close the curtains if he doesn't be quiet. Australia won so Moose is happy. It was a close game apparently, must have been exhausting as he feel asleep straight after it 

Sporty Moose & Wombat Spotter Moz signing off x

Blog 21 - Benalla – Art Gallery Embroidery exhibit – Gough Bay - Wed 5th August 2015

Its pouring rain as Moose drops me off on the wrong side of the bridge to the Art Gallery. So I head down to the local café and take cover until the rain stops, writing my journal and sipping a hot caramel Latte. Moose has headed off with Bonnie to find somewhere to park with the van and possibly take Bon for a walk as I have told him I could be awhile.

Once the rain stops I have a wander through a couple of shops then head out across the bridge and into the dry warm interior of the Benalla Art gallery.

The touring embroidery exhibit “SlipStitch” is free to visit. I take my time wandering around this small but interesting contemporary exhibit. The word Slip Stitch is used to indicate work loosely stitched together, not for purely decorative or functional purposes.  My heart skipped a beat as I identified with artists who see the possibilities of using thread and fibre to tell a story, to draw and to bring embroidery from the olden days to now!

There were pieces where the artist used her machine as if it were a pencil to sketch on her fabric. Others were photos, given more depth with the use of applique and embroidery and using one detail like an eye or a telling expression to bring the piece to life.

A couple of pieces were purely drawn with thread which were amazing in themselves but then the artist placed lighting to show a solid shadow of the thread drawing. Some pieces were completed by hand using a basic running stitch on original and fun designs. All too soon I had looked at every piece, half a dozen times and purchased the catalogue.

It’s time to confess that sometimes it’s not all giggles and hugs in the touring Cabbage Ban. I am a little bit upset with Moose at the moment and he is a little upset with me so I’m not quite ready to return to the cabbage ban so I wander around a bit more and find myself in a room with about 30 tv screens on one wall. 

Five minute loop "I Forgive You"

Each screen has a person saying “I forgive you”. I have to admit my first reaction was “You have got to be bloody kidding me!” In fact that was probably my continuing thought. I sat on a bench in the room waiting to see what else they had to say and can now report that was it, the mantra “I Forgive you”. 

Wall of "post it" notes of forgiveness

The next wall was covered with little cloud post it notes which previous audience members had filled in; with people they wanted to Forgive and the reason why. 

Close up of one of the funnier notes

A pile of blank cloud ‘post it’ notes are available for anyone else who wanted to join in. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry so I texted Jessie who I knew would see the funny side which she did and we spent a good three quarters of an hour flicking texts of the sorts of notes we would like to add to the wall. As Jess pointed out forget the ‘post it’ notes, we needed A3 sheets of paper! I’m pretty sure the artist did not mean for us to react the way we did but in a strange way it was the best therapy ever and I left the art gallery with a smile back on my face. 

I rang Moose to see if he was finished, walking, napping or whatever he was doing in my absence. He replied he was and he’d meet me where he dropped me off so I buttoned up my coat and headed back over the bridge.

I found the Moose as the Ute tends to stand out with a surf ski in bright yellow cover on the roof and a rather large van attached to it. We hit the road. Signs told us that Koalas were in the area so I travelled with my eyes pointed towards the higher branches of trees but as usual not a Koala in sight. 

There’s no doubt that it is winter. The clouds are getting bigger and greyer. When we stop at Mansfield it is icy cold. The shopping centre is busy. We find the supermarket for some supplies and a great little bookshop. While Moose takes the shopping back to the car, I head to the bakery for fresh bread, while waiting to be served I realized I hadn't eaten lunch. It was 3.30 pm and I was starving. This is my excuse for vacuuming up a sausage roll while I waited for a coffee being made. 

There are beautiful old buildings blending with new ones. I make it back to the car without getting too wet and with a peace offering of a custard tart.

A little further down the road we come to Gough Bay. The caravan park is near a large lake but to paddle it moose will have to put ski on car. However there is a cafe onsite.

There were two sites available, one between a couple of chalets and one out on an oval. We chose the latter. Owner tells us it's fine to let Bonnie run free. Bonnie took that has a signal that when no one is looking she can "take off". She disappeared up the back of the caravan park but did have the sense to return to the 20th whistle before we went hunting for her.

Doing the evening Bonnie loo run - on leash so she doesn't run off. We (Bon & I) both got the fright of our lives as through the pitch dark several sets of glowing eyes could be seen. I took a breath figuring it was kangaroos. Bonnie stared them down which scared 5 or six little ones and they bounced off, but it had the opposite effect on a large one, with a couple of long smooth jumps he started towards us. Thankfully by pulling Bonnie after me he decided we were not a threat and we finished our walk very quickly.

Napping Moose & Slip Stitching Moz  signing off x