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Jan 12. Drove east. Stopped Traralgon. Spruik. WIN tv 9 filmed for Monday night bews. Melbourne a great metropolis. I love the architecture and art. Went to lunch with Richo nad Lu at old place. Real character. Hadn't been painted in 40 years. City but. Relentlessly urban. Crowds, graphitti, litter. Couldn't help but feel relief at leaving. Small towns, countryside, it just seems easier. To pull into Lakes Entrance, seeing sea eagles, black swans, seagulls, kelp gulls, pelicans and pied oystercatchers. Free parking. Free hot showers. And the spruiking is better, softer, more personal. Of course its just families with kids. That too is special. The parents, the care, the affection, the fun!
Jan 13. Chilly overcast. Drove to Orbost. Good response. Drove to Mallacoota. Charming name. Lovely spot. Green hills running SE to corner of Australia. Gabo Island. Terrific spruik. Teens at gazebo did chant. Others enthusiastic. Caravan park by estuary walked. Lazy holiday atmosphere. If the wind goes down it'll be perfect.
Jan 14. Calm. Multitudes of birds. I discover I'm in one of those artistic spots that dot Australia. The enthusiasm of the teenagers and generally, the statue of a bloke who came here in 1908 for art retreat, then last night parking near house of painter all add up. Kevin (artist) gave me a tea in the a.m. We talked of flag. He showed me the house and studio. King parrots went by. 47 species of birs spotted in this area. We saw an aerial hunter, cream and brown. Swamp harrier? My eary walk revealed sooty oystercatchers and white-faced grey herons. So much life and such a setting1 Cold night, warm sunny day. Seabreeze came in and built. Fish thrashed in the shallows. Ah. Wonga pigeon large grey ground forrager. White 'V' on breast. White with black marks underneath.

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