Katy's Kangaroo video

This is a video that Kate took when we saw the Kangaroo in South Australia - check it out.

Back home again

Thursday we drove right along the Great Ocean Road stopping off at the usual sights - London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge. Our first stop of the day though, was the Whale watching platform at Warrnumbool but we were not lucky enough to spot any in the short time we were there.
We had decided that we would come home via the ferry at Queenscliff instead of driving around the top of the bay. It proved to be quite a good way as the ferry left Queenscliff at 6 pm and we arrived home at just after 7:30. Of course, the new Eastlink road made a big difference - without that it would have taken quite a bit longer.

Kingston to Warrnumbool

Steady drive today, stopping off at a few places of interest. At Beachport we walked to the end of the jetty, all 772 metres of it. Further along the road we stopped of at Southend - couldn't miss that could we? But it was nothing like the Southend we know in England and that certainly has a population of more than 298! Tonight we are in Warrnumbool. Nearly home again.

Adelaide to Kingston

Our dinner Monday night at the Brasserie restaurant at the Hilton was really nice. Tuesday morning we left Adelaide and drove to Kingston where we stopped overnight. The weather was a bit mixed, not cold but at times heavy rain. We drove along the Coorong from Meningie and there it was really pouring but by the time we were about half way along it cleared so we were able to take a walk out to Jacks Point Observatory to see if we could see any pelicans. Along the track we came across three Kangaroos that regarded us quite calmly and just went on eating. They were so cute.

Katy and I are having a short holiday this week. Yesterday we drove from Melbourne to the Barossa Valley in South Australia. On the way we drove through Halls Gap, stopping off at Reeds Outlook for a view over the area. It was really cold up there.

Our overnight stop was at Nuripootpa as that was near to Pheasant Farm, our planned first visit for the following day. All of us enjoy the cooking program, The Cook and the Chef – Maggie Beer, the cook, own Pheasant Farm. We arrived at the farm shop exactly on 10:30, when it opened – except that it was only 10 o’clock really – we had forgotten the half hour difference in time between Victoria and SA! The two girls in the farm shop were very friendly and said that was OK, coffee was already on so we were welcome. Kate and I had a really nice late breakfast of a Danish type pastry each.

Afterwards we headed over to Seppeltsfield to the winery, then to the Big Rocking Horse at Gumeracha.. Lunch was at Hahndorf and while we were eating the weather began to close in. The rain was pouring down as we left for Adelaide and Kate had to drive through some shocking weather, but she got us to the hotel just fine.

We have booked for dinner at the Brasserie, the domain of the chef half of the Cook and the Chef and are now just relaxing before having a walk around the hotel area. The Hilton is right in the centre of Adelaide, so there should be plenty to check out.

Healesville Sanctuary.

Yesterday Robin and I took Sam and Nick over to Healesville, mainly so that Sam could see the Veterinary facility there. We also had a walk through the platypus area, the reptiles area and saw the kangaroos and dingo.
At the animal hospital we just missed an operation on a kangaroo but were able to see it in recovery - it was taking a while to come around after having his teeth fixed. The vet explained that without the operation Skippy would be in trouble as he could not eat properly.
We were in time to catch the 2:30 Bird of Prey show which is always fun. The eagle especially has perfected his act of flying just over the audiences heads - to the consternation of some of the audience!

New camera #2

Jenny dropped Sam and Nick off today to stay with us for a few days. Jenny and Nick were pretty impressed with the new camera and both had a fiddle. Nick took quite a nice photo of Jenny - he is very interested in cameras as he is getting one for his birthday next month.

New Camera

OK, I know I really did not need one but I decided that I should go back to using a SLR. I really like my compacts, the S100X especially as it fits into my handbag so easily and I think it takes pretty good photos but sometimes I do miss the control a SLR has.
Anyway, Kate and I went out yesterday and I purchased the Canon 450D. It handles pretty well and I am sure I will get used to carrying a big camera around again (but the compact will be in my handbag just in case). It came with two zoom lenses so all requirements should be covered.
As yet I have not taken many photos with it, here is one of Grandma which has come out pretty well.