Blogs from Orbost, Victoria, Australia, Oceania

We had a sleep in today, which was nice. The weather started overcast and cool but OK. We had another chat with Martin and invited him in to see our place (turnabout is fair play!). Turns out he was originally from Holland and then grew up in Germany before coming to Australia when he was 18 years old. We compared experiences about acquiring English as a second language (or third in his case), his from the learner and mine from the teacher perspectives. He left soon afterwards and headed north, with his little black cat sitting on a specially constructed ledge behind him. Maybe we’ll bump into him again – he’s certainly easy to spot! In the afternoon, we went for stroll up the lane looking for the Bellbirds (actually called Bell Miners) that we had ... read more

Spent xmas & New Year at Orbost, caravan park got quite full for new year but has cleared out quickly now. Had to go to Bairnsdale to replenish supplies & wanted to see The Hobbit, Desolation of Smoag? it was in 3D, very good, hope we get to see part 3.Stopped at Lake Tyers tavern for refreshment, beautiful place, very busy this time of year then on way back to Orbost stopped at an old trestle railway bridge built early last century, disused for the last 25 years. This weekend we're heading to Yambuk near Port Fairy, the nearest big town is Warnambool. Booked in for 2 weeks & hoping to catch some King George whiting, yummy!!!!... read more

We had a big day the day we left Hobart. Firstly, we went to MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art. They prefer visitors to come by boat or bus from downtown Hobart, and we suspect that is to control the numbers better. Anyway, there is some carparking so we got there at opening time, 10am and had no trouble getting a park. It was Monday, and in Australia it was their Queens Birthday holiday. There is another good reason to come by boat and that is to appreciate the architecture. The building is 3 storeys, built into a cliff above the Derwent River, upstream from Hobart. It has no windows, seems to be made from rusty slabs of iron and lots of angles. The entrance is at the top. Inside they make great use ... read more

By the time morning came the power had gone again. We could not bear the thought of spending any more time here so we packed up in the hope that things may change. This time we were in luck. Not only was the highway open, but the power was back on. we threw our stuff in the van and made a dash for the bank. The queue outside was ridiculous. Because they were running on limited power they couldn't run the alarm system. This meant they were only allowing one in one out. We skipped the bank and went to the petrol station. When we pulled up at the pump the owner came out and shook his head. We thought it strange, but went to the other petrol station. They too could not serve us. With ... read more

The photo probably gives it away, but what a strange sight first thing in the morning a flock / herd / pride / gaggle of kangaroos is (not sure of the collective noun here). The closest we’d come to kangaroos before this (apart from the zoo) was the stark and unambiguous warning sticker on the van’s dashboard (see photo). We got going quite early and it was just like driving on a crisp spring day in Derbyshire. Not the Australian stereotype at all. We were heading to Melbourne and stopped in a town called Sale to seek the advice of the tourist office. They were extremely friendly and helpful and set the pattern for the rest of the tourist offices we went into. Australia does seem to just do everything well. Anyway they recommended a caravan ... read more