The journey continues

We wandered along through the beautiful south coast and headed through the east Gippsland forests. We really enjoyed our visit to The Stony Creek Trestle Bridge – a most impressive site and sight.

As we headed through assorted towns we encountered the usual problem of nowhere to park. Rosedale in Victoria was a treat – a sign outside town announced they had long vehicle parking so we were very happy. We found an amazing patchwork shop – a very helpful owner and material to die for. Didn’t buy any as I have no idea what I am doing but I still managed to use the credit card for some other purchases. She also has a website and does mail order. The food in Rosedale is also excellent and there is a really good park with the facilities required! We will definitely stop there on future trips.

http://www.lilylane.com.au/

And onwards we went to Walhalla – what a wonderful place. We had last visited in the early 1970s and Mum and Dad were with us and sleeping in their car. Matthew was a very small boy and the town was virtually non existent. Now there are many reconstructions, lots of places to eat, a pub with excellent counter meals (Chicken Walhalla was great!) and a free camping area. We spent 2 nights there – no electricity or other facilities except for a toilet but we had a wonderful time. We rode their little train, enjoyed the superb scenery and explored the many historical spots that were all very well sign posted.

We are now in Healesville, having driven through the back roads of West Gippsland. The land is lush and the scenery magnificent!

Photos of the trip south - never seen the Snowy so full!!!!!

Heading south from Canberra towards Cooma


The flooded Snowy River not far from Orbost


The Old Pump House beside the Snowy in Orbost


The flooded Snowy


The Snowy enters the sea through this narrow gap in the sand dunes at Marlo - hard to see amid the spray and the waves. Tons of debris are floating downstream towards this spot.



Stony Creek Trestle Bridge in Gippsland - the best trestle bridge I have ever seen!


There were lots of frogs hiding in the forest pools - I did not see a single one!


We explored around the bridge very thoroughly even though it was raining - fortunately we didn't meet an oncoming car on the road on the way into the area where the bridge was located in the forest.



It is always fun driving through the wonderful forests of southern Australia

The KK sets out - the shakedown trip begins.

This trip that we are currently on is no where near as glamorous as our last but the way it has started it may just turn out to be more exciting. The packing and preparation phase was a disaster – rain….rain….. rain. So plans went out the window – the new electrical system was not tested and we ended up throwing everything in the car when the rain stopped and headed off on Tuesday for Canberra to celebrate Matthew’s birthday. We had our clothes in the fridgie bag so didn’t open the van until the next day after we headed down the Monaro Highway. That was very useful and made an early start easy.

We stopped at Colinton on the Cooma Road for a cuppa and discovered a muffler rattle – back to Canberra or continue? Cooma won and we headed for the camping area and the exhaust shop. Fortunately they fitted us in and a mere $340 later we were repaired. It had been a tight fit into the space at the park and this morning as we were moving out the tow bar demonstrated inherent weaknesses. Hammer job! – car nearly escaped complete with van in tow but all under control and back to the same car repairer for some welding!

We were impressed with the service and the state of Cooma – good repairs, excellent parking for vans, good patchwork shop (new scissors, needles and cotton!) and pleasant staff everywhere.

Down the highway to Marlo – (our destination of Thurra River was abandoned due to unknown state of the road) and we set up again. And the information centre was closed

Oops – should have tested that electrical system. The van isn’t charging from the car – problem traced to faulty device purchased from Victoria. We may take it straight back to them!

However the smoke detector works and we are happily set up having feasted on steak and many vegetables. We are listening to the Sleepless in Seattle Soundtrack and when I have finished this I am going to sew hexagons while we watch a DVD. OK – we used to camp and do it tough – at the moment we are enjoying our electricity, our computer, flat screen TV , etc. We are still travelling in a fold out device but this one is a tad more luxurious than the old “portable princess palace” that we used to have.

Now – if I could find the camera to computer cord we could have photos. I have also just realised that I need to update my favourite sites on my page and add a few more bits and pieces!