Blogs from Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia, Oceania

Whereas we planned a relaxing evening of strolling around the Queen Victoria market, we accidentally stopped at a travel agency and got a rush of excitement and adrenaline when we decided to go on a roadtrip to Sydney! Despite the heat (39 °C) the next day, we finally went to the Queen Victoria market. Afterwards, we met another Dutch girl who tagged along to the State Victoria library and the Parliament. We ended the day with a (FREE!) barbecue at the hostel. Our last day in Melbourne was even hotter: 42 °C, so it wasn't a punishment to stay in and prepare for the trip. In the evening, we went to a “hidden bar” (called Loch & Key; no, I did not misspell lock). It didn't turn out to be very hidden, but was cute nonetheless. ... read more

Day 1 (27/10/2017) Left Cranbourne North at 8:00AM. Start KM 96,239 Arrived Stratford 10:45AM. Wanted to get out before too many trucks headed East. Relatively easy run up until the stretch between Traralgon & Sale, encountering numerous roadworks which made progress a lot slower than expected. Arrived at Stratford on the River Caravan Park to find that we were placed at the far end of the park, quite a long way from the toilets. Went up the road to the Stratford Bakery for lunch, where we had the finest pies we had tasted pretty much in our lifetime. After that it was next door to the Shaws Butcher for some wonderful meats to get us through the next 2 evenings. But before we can start holidaying, it is off the short 15KM into the Sale Ibis ... read more

'PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL' Over the past 6 weeks we have included in this Blog details of tasks that we have been undertaking at St. Peters in Mallacoota. We would just like to say that we do this not to brag or pat ourselves on the back but, hopefully, to encourage others to help out at either there local Church or any Church where an opportunity presents itself. There are always things that they need help with including Fellowship. God will use whatever talents He has provided us with and will always bring out those talents that we are not aware that we have. Week 6 started off on Saturday 7th June with a fine and sunny morning so it was a short walk from the Manse to the main street of Mallacoota and a ... read more

Well as the title of this Blog confirms it's now been 4 weeks since we arrived at Mallacoota and our second two weeks have been completely different from our first two weeks. As was reported in our previous Blogs our first two weeks saw us relaxing by the water, enjoying the weather, the views and the walks. Our second two weeks however has seen us working at St Peter's Church undertaking a list of tasks that Revd. Roger provided us with and Evelyn helping out in the Op Shop. We have certainly enjoyed the challenge which once again has seen God put us out of our comfort zone. We have fixed a couple of holes inside the church that were caused by white ants and stripped back and sanded the Church doors, removing the old marine ... read more

Saturday 10th Maypresented us with a magnificent sunrise and a great opportunity to enjoy breakfast in the annex enjoying the water views. After breakfast we packed a lunch and thermos and headed off on a 25 klm walk. The walks were listed as the 'Mallacoota Lakeside Shared Pathway' (probably the most scenic lakeside walk in Australia), 'The Narrows' & 'Buckland's Jetty to Captain Creek', all followed the outline of the Mallacoota Inlet. The first part of the walk was a constructed walking/bike path with several areas of board walk over small creeks. We past many jetties and saw lots of bird life that allowed Evelyn to update her Australian Bird Book. The constructed walking path that started just outside the caravan park ended at the Karbeethong Jetty where fishing and house boats are moored. The second ... read more