Blogs from Portland, Victoria, Australia, Oceania - page 2

Wednesday 4th. This morning we drove back to Portland early to top up on groceries, medicines and a few bits and bobs. The list did get a little extended though. With being away from mains power, we were finding that the rechargeable batteries in the Canon cameras were being stretched. Much of the photography has some degree of zoom, fill in flash etc. None of the camera shops we visited had the batteries for the SX 40 and 50 cameras. Jacar said they had a universal charger that not only did standard nicads, but had a universal contact bar that did the job - very clever adjustable pins and a slide that locked the battery in place. Great idea, but it didn't work. They did have a low wattage inverter for about the same price. It ... read more

20-25 April 2011 By accident, we found ourselves at Sawpit Picnic Area where we spent Easter. We were planning on two other camp spots but they didn't work out. It worked out for the best though as we loved camping in the forest and met some interesting people whilst there. We spent a lot of time chilling out here - it was like we were on holidays or something!! Did some pretty hairy 4WDriving through the forest - the car looked like it had been rolling around in the mud. Took the boys on a mountain bike track through the forest - hopefully Oscar won't remember the accident I had with him on the back... Portland is such a beautiful place - so many old houses and buildings and so much history at each corner you ... read more

Monday 24th – first of all congratulations to my brother Rod and his wife Tania on their 41st Wedding Anniversary. On Monday we moved on to Portland - the Top Tourist Caravan Park was handily placed on the way into town and as it seemed to have a long line of empty ‘en-suite’ sites we thought we might as well have one. The park was noticeable for its “boat washing” facility so we wondered what we might expect to see. We were to find out later in the day as a number of sea-going fishing boats were towed through the facility and thoroughly washed down. This went on until quite late into the evening. The caravan park was obviously popular with fishermen as the process was repeated throughout the few days we were there. Anyway, we ... read more

What a night spent on what has to be the most picturesque site we’ve stayed on - we were out in the night looking at the stars which were spectacular, and not disrupted by the lighthouse lights. Luckily neither were we, but I must confess that it was also the coldest site we’ve been on, and I too am now hunkering down under the duvet! In the middle of the night, I peeked out of the window, and it was somehow reassuring to see the light swinging round. The morning started with a jolt - John poked an eye through the curtain, spotted 4 kestrels flying round us. Up and out like a shot taking photos! We then went for a stroll along ‘our’ beach to the wreck to take some more pictures. We had the ... read more