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Published: February 12th 2007
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Neighbourhood Possum
Protected species, possums can be a regular visitor and a nuisance! Welcome Back to Oz
We were overwhelmed with a peculiar sense of ‘coming home’ when we landed in Brisbane on Feb 2. Having spent the last month visiting totally new places, it felt good to come back to a place we had known and to the welcome hugs of our dear friends, Greg and Mary Saul.
After picking us up at the airport, we went to their daughter, Carla’s place, a beautiful old-style Queenslander home in a very trendy part of the city, where we met the precious Luca, Greg and Mary’s two ½ year old granddaughter. We were also introduced to the neighbourhood possum, who visited the yard as we had ‘tea’ (that’s evening dinner here). Unlike New Zealand, possums are a protected species here in Oz and can be quite a nuisance. This fellow has been so bold as to go right into the kitchen and help himself from the fruit bowl!
After sharing a bottle of Aussie red (our first of many this trip!), a great night’s sleep and morning coffee at the local favourite spot (Luca had a ‘babycinno’….a tiny little coffee cup with just the froth from the cappacinno….very popular here among the pre schooler
Greg, Mary and granddaughter Luca
Lots of hugs from the adorable Luca. It was so good to see Greg and Mary again! set!) we set off for the Saul’s home town of McLean, a three hour drive.
We had spent 10 days with the Saul’s the last time we were here, so getting to MacLean really felt like an oasis. Their home is gorgeous and their back yard feels like a park. We watched the kangaroos frolicking just beyond the fence, walked in the bush behind the property and admired the stately gum trees with their peeling bark. The spotted gum , one of the many varieties of Australian eucalyptus trees, sheds its bark regularly and leaves a beautiful smooth shiny surface that stands out in stark contrast to the other trees.
Hector was in heaven with the bird life, and we especially enjoyed visits from Albert, the kookaburra. There were actually several ‘Alberts’ who came to call and happily posed for Hec’s camera as well as rainbow lorikeets, wrens, wagtails, noisy miner birds and figbirds. We even found time for a swim and a walk at Brooms Head (their local beach which has to be one of the nicest in the country) as well as a leisurely lunch at one of the local pubs where we caught up with
Carla and Luca
Coffee and 'brekkie' at the local cafe. We hadn't seen Carla for 10 years and loved meeting little Luca! people we had met 10 years ago!. It was all wonderful.
After a short couple of days, we loaded up the Saul’s Subaru and started the drive toward Melbourne, where we were to catch the ferry to Tasmania. We had allocated three days for the drive and it was good planning. The first day we drove for more than 8 hours (actual driving time) over a small mountain range then onto the flatland of the Australian outback. What a stunningly beautiful landscape! However, the effects of the current drought which has gripped much of the country, were appalling. Hundreds of acres of farmland and pasture lay brown and dust-filled. Many of the paddocks were barren of livestock, the farmers long since having given up trying to keep stock alive. There were miles and miles where there was not a spot of green, and farmers’ attempts to build small dams (really just holes in the dirt) to capture water, seemed futile. We saw some cattle, horses and sheep that were incredibly thin, their arched backs and splayed ribs indicating their state. When we did see animals, they were crowded under a tree seeking any respite from the heat.
Heat? Did
Roos Jumping
Families of kangaroos were playing in the area behind Greg and Mary's house. I mention the heat? On our first day, we monitored travel in temperatures that were as high as 44 degrees…and that was at 6:30 at night! As we passed beyond the inland town of Dubbo, we experienced a sight that was almost beyond our comprehension. Several weeks before, a major bush fire had passed through the area, and the beautiful bush land on either side of the road had been scorched to a blackened ghost forest. The tall trunks of the gums stood like black matchsticks. We could still see smoke and occasional glowing embers near the road. Fires are a normal part of the cycle of the forest here, with many trees requiring fire to cause the seeds to germinate, however this huge tract of blackness was much more serious damage than is typical and we were all in awe as we drove through it.
Fortunately our three days overland journey was not all at such high temperatures, and we were able to enjoy picnics, short walks (with some bird watching…Greg is an avid birder too!), good meals, and lots of laughs. We loved the little outback towns, each with its unique flavour, and we have rediscovered and
Kookaburras
The kookaburras are gorgeous birds...and they do sound as if they are laughing! enjoyed the peculiar brand of Aussie humour represented by a chain of bedding stores called ‘Holy Sheet’ or a jar of pickled eggs called Bum Hummers-guaranteed 1000 farts in a jar!
We arrived in Melbourne around noon of the date we were to take the evening ferry, so we had a good look at Melbourne, afternoon tea (the most yummy desserts!) at trendy St Kilda’s suburb, and boarded the Spirit of Tasmania 11 for the evening sailing. The ship is a large one, holding over 1000 passengers, and we had booked a small berth with 2 sets of bunks and our own little ensuite with shower. The sunset and harbour views were magnificent as we sailed out to the Bass Straight for the 429 km journey. It was a great crossing but we were all thankful to have beds to lay our heads when we hit a spot of heavy seas. (the Straight is known as one of the roughest shipping channels in the world…glad no one told me that beforehand!)
Ten hours later, we were on deck as the sun rose in Devonport, Tasmania (well, I may have missed the actual sunrise but it was still pretty
Brooms Head Swim
The water and the beach were both spectacular! Remembered being here with our Sarah 10 years ago! darned early!). It was a beautiful beginning to this next chapter of our travels.
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Evelyn Estey
non-member comment
Pickled eggs
Glad to hear from you guys Why not bring home some of those pickled eggs They sound great And I mean that literally. Mss you! Love Mum