A couple of days away was just what the Dr ordered.
Deniliquin Leave a comment
Phuket February 2011 3 comments
It has always been a dream of mine to visit the beautiful island of Phuket but it has never happened. These photos were taken by my grand-daughter Jackie who with a friend travelled to Phuket in February this year
Thailand is made up of 33 islands, Phuket being the largest is linked to the mainland by 2 bridges.
Phuket covers around 570 square kilometres (354 square miles) with a population of 322.000. Their main income is from tourism although agriculture does play a large part.
The Phuket Zoo is a private Zoo not supported by the local government and was opened in 1997. It is spread over 12 acres of winding paths and shady tropical gardens. On show are crocodiles, tigers, camels, ostriches, elephants, many rare bird species and of course the cheeky monkeys. Photos like the one above can be taken if you are game enough.
As much as Jackie and Maja enjoyed the animals they were concerned at the way they were treated, they seemed too docile and wondered if they were sedated and pressured into position for photo snaps . I guess it is all about big tourist dollars.
The best time to visit Phuket is during the cool NE monsoon season from December through to March when it isn’t so humid and there is a cool breeze, temperature around 24C – 32C.
Beaches offered a lot of activies, swimming, canoeing, scuba diving, snorkelling, caving or just laying around in the sun.
Caves
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I have seen videos of canoes going through the caves and was really impressed, but because of the high tides the girls had to be content with looking from the canoe outside.
On board a tour boat the food looked yummy but at the markets some very strange choices were available.
At the markets, well I am not sure what all these were but I know the ones on the right were crickets, also there are dried fruit, roots, insects, frogs and others, would not be on my menu even if I was really, really, hungry. Enjoy the visit ? I did.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens October 2010 1 comment
The last stage of our trip home from Warrnambool was a stop at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. At the entrance there is a marble stature of William Wallace, it is only one of 12 scattered throughout the Gardens.
The gardens were established in 1863 on 40 hectares of land. Adam Lindsey Gordon, the poet, is also remembered here, with a statue and his cottage which was moved here in1934 and used today for craft works and sales.
I had been here some years earlier but just to look at flowers, so did not really notice other things. I found the Prime Ministers Avenue quite interesting and spent some time wandering along the Walk.
Sir Edmond Barton, Alfred Deacon, John Christian Watson, Sir George Houston Reid, Andrew Fisher, Sir Joseph Cook,
William Morris Hughes, Stanley Melbourne Bruce, James Henry Scullin,Joseph Aloysius Lyons, Earle page, Sir Robert Menzies,
Sir Arthur Fadden, John Curtin, Francis Michael Ford, Joseph Benedict Chifley, Harold Holt, Sir John McEwen, John Grey Gorton,
Gough Whitlam, John Malcolm Frazer, Robert James Lee Hawke, Paul Keating, John Winston Howard, Kevin Michael Rudd,
Julia Eileen Gillard.
Julia Gillard still has to be added to the Prime Ministers Avenue. I think the bronze should suit the colour of her hair.
And of course the beautiful gardens, like everywhere else they have suffered with the drought but in the conservatory the colours are just magic, as shown below.
Our last nights accommodation was great (5 STAR) our hosts were wonderful, nothing was too much trouble and the rates were exceptional, great not having to cook, food was good, enjoyed their company and a glass or two of wine.
Might need to make another booking in the near future.
Thanks Graham and Heather.
These last pictures are really for family living interstate, keeping them up to date with our lives in Victoria.
Below are snaps of our great grand daughter , MAYA, we think she is pretty cute.
Jenny’s Garden Leave a comment
This is Banksia Coccinea native to the South Coast of W.A.
My daughter lives in Gordon, near Ballarat, very cold over winter and she was not sure how it would grow there, but this is the first flower, quite spectacular I am sure you would agree.
The Waratah is another native plant she has had great success with, a white and red, I don’t have photos at this stage but they are really beautiful. Jenny has 10 acres, about 5 planted with native plants, many grown from seed and cuttings
Since changing from Windows Live Spaces (I did not have a choice) to WordPress, I seem to have lost some of my earlier data, any from about June 2009 to October 2010 are o/k , disappointing when my dates go back to 2006 but I guess it is all about updates and progress. However I will just have to accept the changes and move on.
I tried changing the photo sizes to suit my new background but it did not work because when republished it became a recent entry.
Hopkins Falls Wangoon Leave a comment
Panorama of the Hopkins Falls, stitching four photos together.
The Hopkins Falls are 13 km, north- east of town, after the recent rain they were quite spectacular, there are BBQ’s and toilets at this location and LOTS of steps if you wish to get very close.
The Hopkins River is in South Western Victoria, it begins near Ararat and enters Bass Strait at Warrnambool. There are two rivers that flow through Warrnambool, the other is the Merri River.
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village is on the hill overlooking Lady Bay, and is a reproduction of a 19th century port.
There are two small lighthouses which still guide ships into the bay. 
Flagstaff Hill holds the largest collection of Shipwreck History in Australia.
At the entrance to the exhibit there is a whaleboat and theatrette.
Recreated buildings include St Nicholas Seamen’s Church, the Steampacket Inn, Bank of Australasia, Brass Foundry, a Slip way, Masonic Lodge, a life size earthenware statue of a Peacock from Minton Potteries and so,so, much more.The Peacock was being transported from England to Melbourne aboard the Loch Ard clipper when it sank in a gorge off Port Campbell, it was washed ashore unharmed still in it’s packing case. Those on board were not as lucky, only two surviving.
Of an evening they have a sound and laser show which is brilliant.
The maritime village is situated within an hours drive of the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road and well worth a visit.
The Breakwater was built in 1876 – 1890, but many problems with silting almost closed the Merri River, in 1912 the breakwater was extended, 100 metres being added. The port ceased to operate in the 1920s. The silting up extended the beaches, making it more attractive to holiday makers. A very popular fishing and boating spot.
It is a popular spot for fishing and bird watching, not suitable really for swimming, but I guess there are some who would try.
Good walking tracks, rock pools, native plants, and of coarse the views are beautiful. The walk would most likely be about 3km.
A walking track leads west to Shelly Beach which is noted for shell collecting.
Other places of interest in Warrnambool.
Lake Pertobe, Logan’s Beach ( Whalewatching), Fletcher Jones, Cheeseworld at Allansford. Cudgee Creek Wildlife Park, and Jubilee Park at Allansford.
The Twelve Apostles Leave a comment
The Twelve Apostles were originally called the “Sow and Piglets”. The early settlers renamed the amazing rock formation after the disciples of Christ.
The limestone rocks have been worn away from the cliffs over many years to form the famous Twelve Apostles. There are not 12 still standing. More recently one Apostle collapsed on July 3rd 05.
Parking today is across the road from the Twelve Apostles, access is via a tunnel under the Great Ocean Rd, it is a bit of a walk but rewarding, even for the disabled the boardwalks give good access, except for the steps lower down.
A very popular spot with the tourists, we were there on a Friday but the number of people there was amazing.
Helicopter flights are kept busy too.
The Bay of Islands Coastal Park covers a 32 long narrow strip from Peterborough nearly all the way to Warrnambool.
The views are great and the revegetation with native flora has been a big project. We did not see them in flower but planted there are Banksias, Beard Heath, Purple flag Lilies and Daisy bushes.
Tower Hill is one of my favourite places to visit when we go to Warrnambool. Tower Hill is a Volcanic formation believed to be about 30.000 years old, it is known as a nested maar and the largest example of its kind in Victoria.
The first stages of a revegetation began in the 1950’s and more than 300,000 trees planted, thanks to many volunteers. We have had some funny experiences with the local Emu, just be sure not to wind down your car window too far, anything inside they can reach soon disappears.
There are 4 walks, Peak Climb (30 min.steep), Lava Tongue Boardwalk, wetlands and wildlife ( 30 min. easy), Wagon Bay Loop, (30 min. easy) and the Journey to the Last Volcano,( 1 hour moderate), Geology and Wildlife.
They say there are a number of different animals, birds, echidnas but we only saw emus, birds and 1 koala. The Worn Gundidj Visitors Centre is well worth a look, but no cameras.
Interesting rock formations.
Great Ocean Road – Lorne and Apollo Bay Leave a comment
It has been over 20 years since we travelled The Great Ocean Road and I am sure this will be the last, owing to age and opportunity.
We left Bacchus Marsh at 9.00 a.m. arriving at Warrnambool at 4.30 p.m, many stops were made and lots of photos taken.
Lorne, 140 Km from Melbourne is a popular coastal tourist spot, known for surfing, fishing and bush walking. One walk not to be missed is to the Erskine Falls where they have a good viewing platform.
Apollo Bay is located between Lorne and Cape Otway, again a touristy town. Fresh seafood is always on the menu at the local eateries. For great views try Chris’s at Beacon Point, high on the hills overlooking the sea.
As you will see in the photos below, there a a number of sculptures scattered along the beach. There are many walking tracks here too.
Castle Cove is on a spectacular bend of The Great Ocean Road at Glenaire. There is a pull over parking bay and steps down to the beach, dinosaur fossils have been found there in recent times.
The beach is unpatrolled and not suitable for swimming.
Dr Swamp Murchison Leave a comment
A very early morning start, 6.30 am. waiting for the sun to rise, seemed like it was never going to happen.
It certainly was worth the wait, the colours were just magic.
We were only a small group, accompanied by tutors Terry and Jane Bower.
Terry and Jane Bower hiding behind the trees.
What a difference a few hours makes to a picture, you just have to be patient.
Bushwalk March 27th 10 Leave a comment
Well it’s that time of year again, the weather has got cooler and we are out and about again.
And so are the Mozzies. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Just a few of us this morning, but how about the quality !!!!, Louise, Carol, Marie , Molly and yours truly.
We headed to St Pauls Anglican Church for a quick look, it really is the” Church on the Hill.”
We came across the very first Cemetery in Rushworth, 1853 – 1861, all graves are unnamed.
It would be interesting to know if there is a list of persons buried here and how many.
Certainly no shortage of water in this dam.
Finding our way off the track we came to this gully, would have been a sight with the recent heavy rain, erosion has done its work and left many interesting holes.
Molly had a good look at these, maybe after a rabbit or just not wanting to miss anything.
W.A. Wreath Lechenautlia Leave a comment
Jenny’s wild flower trip to West Australia.
