Where shall we go now......

We arrived home from Perth on Sunday night and after a good sleep it was time to pack another bag in readiness for our week on the road.   An early morning call from Graham advised us the camper would be ready to be picked up that afternoon so we had some time to relax in the morning.

A second call that morning was a pleasant surprise and we were glad that we weren't leaving early.  Marg's sister Alison and her husband John were visiting Melbourne for a week from Maffra and wondered if we would like to catch up one day.  After explaining that we were leaving that afternoon we decided that coffee later that morning would be a good idea.  We met them at The Left Bank beside the Yarra for coffee and then decided to stay on for lunch.  We all enjoyed catching up on each others news and travels since we met last time.  One of the highlights for us both was of course spending time on board Matilda with Marg and Peter.

Not long after lunch we were on our way, picked up the trailer and pointed the car to the East and began our week long adventure to see some more of this wonderful country we call home.  Our late start meant that we did not want to travel too far that first day and an hour and half later we stopped in Warrigul where we found a lovely little C'van Park and settled in for the night.  Here we were able to test the little alterations to the Camper and all was good.  We walked to the shops and found some supplies for the next couple of days and then cooked dinner before keeping ourselves amused with a video for the night.  This lovely park doubled as a Retirement Village though I really must stress we were there for the camping!  The recent heavy rains throughout Gippsland was still very evident with quite a few boggy sites but we stayed high and dry on the site we chose.

I'm not sure whether it was the excitement of the last week or just our very comfy bed in the trailer but we did not wake up until 8.00 am so had a slower start to the morning.  Not to worry we were on
holidays after all.  Once on the road we continued to drive stopping for coffee at Rosedale, lunch beside the Tambo River at Swan Reach and the Tourist Information centre at Lakes Entrance to decide where to go and finally called it a day at Orbost Tourist Park where we were only one of two campers there.  We were surprised to find our neighbor in the tent was an little old lady and her little dog.  The next morning she was up early and packed up the tent in no time.  Obviously a very experienced camper!

This is Snowy River country and the drive in takes you over the famous river as it winds it's way to the coast a few kms away at Marlo.  The little town had everything we needed including a wonderful country bakery that we were to visit a few times as we passed through the town.  The apricot pies were just the best!  

Leaving the next morning we climbed uphill towards Buchan where we were going to have a look at the well known Buchan Caves.  The drive up from Orbost was very scenic and on arrival at the Buchan Caves Reserve we were impressed with the wonderful campgrounds and just loved the old stone camp kitchen.  We did not stay this time but will definitely return another time.

The reserve is also a wildlife refuge so animal life is abundant and in the couple of hours we were there Bill was in his element with the birds that were flitting around.  But this time we were there to see the caves and did a tour of the Royal Cave.  These caves were discovered by Frederick Wilson and William Bonwick in 1915 and opened to the public in 1917.  I can't imagine how people ever used to get up here let alone tour the caves back then but they are beautiful limestone caves with some amazing formations inside.

Outside in the reserve there is a natural swimming pool and it was by following the stream from this pool that the caves were discovered.  The water is icy cold and an early September day was not the time to test it out.  A visit in summer might be the way to go!  There is a second cave called Fairy 
cave but we had places to go so we will do that another time.  We took the easy road down passing though the tiny township of Buchan before joining the highway at Nowa Nowa heading back to 
Orbost and the bakery to get some lunch before we began our journey on to Eden where we were going to base ourselves for the next few days.

One feature of our drive that day was the weather.  The forecast throughout Victoria was for severe storms with gale force winds.  Our drive from Nowa Nowa to Orbost had been very windy with lots 
of debris being flung from the trees and littering the roads.  Once we were over the border into NSW 
the winds seemed to ease for the afternoon but their forecast was just as dire as ours had been.  Still we carried on and hoped for the best.  

We arrived at the Eden Tourist Park around 4.00pm and set up camp beside a hedged bush hoping for a little protection if the promised winds came!  It wasn't too bad at this time but as the evening wore on the winds hit.  No rain just winds we were to find out the next day were 75kph.  We didn't venture too far afield that first afternoon just took a walk along the Lake Curalo which the park fronted, before taking a drive up to the town to get something to shop for more supplies.  We came home and spent the next few hours holding our breath each time the wind gusted and wondered whether or not we would lose our roof.  The canvas sides rattled, the trailer rocked and rolled like we have never seen before but I'm pleased to say everything held together very well and apart from almighty gust that woke us up at 3.00am we survived the night without incident.

The next morning the park showed signs of the storm that had passed with many branches down and bins blown over but all the vans, motorhomes and campers had all made it through safe and sound and the big wind was the major topic of conversation during the morning.  Two Cub campers erected the other side of our hedge both packed up and left that morning but perhaps they were going anyway - who knows.

So for now I'll leave it there and continue our story of the Sapphire Coast next time.

until then........

We are gathered here today....

to witness the marriage of Taegan Tomlin to Gareth Harris.  Yes the last 7 months since 'the date was set' has flown by and before we knew it we were catching a plane to Perth for the wedding of the year.

We arrived in Perth the week before so we could spend some time with all the family before the big day and what a week we had.  Anne and Paul very kindly let us use their spare bedroom once more and after a quick stop to unpack the bags we were soon on our way to spend the afternoon with Sarah, David, Corbyn and Amelie.  No we weren't being rude, Anne and Paul were windsurfing and we were having dinner with them later.

We had a lovely time catching up with Sarah, David, Corbyn and Amelie during the week.  Sunday afternoon, dinner on Tuesday, lunch on Sunday and a special visit to Corbyn's school for 'Fathers Day' on Friday afternoon.  These visits gave us both the opportunity to spend some much loved Nana and Poppa time with the kids and we had a fun time playing with them.  Poppa became quite the architect, designing and building a Lego cubby house with Corbyn.  I had the job of reading books and just loved the new story books that had arrived during the week.  Amelie was quite happy helping with the Lego people.  We also learnt quite a lot about Super Heroes of the day during our visits.

Tuesday was the first opportunity we had to see Gareth as both he and Taegan were busy with the many pre wedding tasks.  We met him for lunch at Miss Mauds in Morley and he was looking quite relaxed considering there was only 4 days to go.  It was good to see him even though it was a quick visit.  On Wednesday night we had dinner with them and it was good to spend some time together before the big day.  Taegan had everything under control and neither seemed to be stressed.  We also met her brother Dylan and her Bridesmaid Melissa who had her 3 week old daughter Charlotte with her.  So cute.

Our other nights were spent at home with Anne and Paul and we really enjoyed spending the quiet evenings around the table.  I even cooked Pumpkin Soup one night and only forgot one ingredient without the recipe.  It still tasted good so not too disastrous.

On Monday Bill decided that an early morning visit to Wireless Hill Park was the way to start the day but I decided that another hour in bed was a much better idea.  We spent the day in town looking for some last minute items for the big day.  A necklace and earrings for me and a new suit for Bill.  He decided his old one was a just little past it's use by date.  He bought it for his Sisters wedding 10 years ago.  Good decision, I think.  

While we decided that this week was to be first and foremost all about family we did manage to find a couple of hours during the week to have a coffee with a few friends.  Gilly and Gary drove down to Debs place and we spent a couple of hours on Tuesday afternoon catching up with them all and of course checking out the new house.  Almost at lock up stage then.  Soon be all finished.  We called in to see Lorraine and Hans on Wednesday afternoon and were spoilt with home made biscuits with our tea.  And Thursday we spent a couple of hours with Steve Beech but missed seeing Alison as she had not returned from NZ where she had been visiting her mother.  

We even managed a few hours to our self and on Wednesday we drove down to Fremantle to have a look around and found it not to have changed too much other than being much quieter than we remembered.  With the Markets closed mid week (I forgot we were not in Melbourne) we headed over to the harbour and had fish and chips at Cicerello's. It was very busy here on this lovely sunny day and we joined the many others eating outside on the deck.  A quick look at the 'Fishermen' sculpture before walking back to the car for our drive north.  We stopped at Hilarys Boat Harbour to have a look at Saturday nights venue before heading off to Taegan and Gareths for dinner that night.

And then before we knew it Saturday the 1st September had arrived and it was time to get ready for the big event.  Taegan and Melissa were getting ready at the Joondalup Resort and the boys were at Gareth's place.  We had been asked to stop here on the way up in case help was needed with the ties.  

We arrived to find 3 blokes playing video games, not too much stress here but once the dressing began there was a little nervous note in the chatter, from the Groom at least.  Soon after Gareth and his Best Man, Luke, were dressed and ready and we were on our way to Sir James McCusker park in Iluka for the ceremony.

Everything was in place and looked lovely.  The guests arrived and mingled in the sunshine while we waited for Taegan to arrive.  She did soon after in a horse drawn carriage and after a very long walk we all saw how beautiful she looked.  The wedding ceremony was lovely, the vows written by them and very soon after we were being introduced to the newest Mr and Mrs Harris.  Welcome Taegan, we are so glad to have you officially as part of our family at last.

The next hour or so was spent with the photographer and of course all the normal family groups were taken and some lovely pictures of the Bride and Groom.

The girls from Charming Carriages then brought the horse and carriage onto the lawn and many gorgeous pictures were taken with Bob the beautiful draught horse.  He really did seem to love Taegan and we have the pictures to prove it.  From the park we left to make our way over to The Boulevard at Hilarys where the reception was being held.  This was just a small group of immediate family and the Wedding party and we had a fun night with just a few formalities during which Luke's Best Man speech had the table in stitches.

Having spoken to the kids since I know that the day was everything they had both hoped for.  Taegan looked beautiful and Gareth very handsome as well.  The weather had been a concern with the forecast changing daily but we woke up to a perfect day, still warm and sunny for the 4.30pm Wedding.  We could not have asked for a better day.  We had a wonderful time sharing your big day with you both and we wish you every happiness now and for the future as you begin this next stage in your life.  Take care and love each other always and you will have a wonderful life together.

And so once again we headed for the airport on Sunday afternoon for the trip home and part 2 of our holidays, we were picking up our camper trailer and heading off into the wild blue yonder on Monday.
To where we don't know yet but I'll keep you posted.

until next time.........