On the road again........

But not anywhere we have been before.  After a very warm end to autumn we decided that a new adventure was needed and Bill chose Kangaroo Island as the destination.  I was happy with that idea until his next words were ' we'll take the camper'.  I did remind him that this time last year we were on another island and really felt the cold but he was not to be deterred. So the following Sunday morning the van was packed and we were on the road bright and early.

Our first day saw us driving through to Bordertown stopping along the way only for coffee, lunch and fuel.  We arrived around 4.00 pm, found a powered site, (I was happy to camp but wanted my heating!).  Once settled we walked into the little town to have a look around.  Being Sunday evening not much was open but we enjoyed a wander through Tolmer Park before a quick stop at the supermarket to buy supplies for dinner that night. We also discovered that Bordertown was the birthplace of former Prime Minister Bob Hawke and is the home of the White Kangaroo.  Both were featured on flags in the main street but that was as close as we got to the real thing.   Returning to the van we put the heater on, cooked dinner and watched a movie before climbing into bed after a big day on the road.

The next morning we had breakfast and packed up, setting off fairly early, first stopping in town to shop for the next few days, before continuing on our way towards Cape Jervis.  Our next stop was at Keith where we had a look at the 'Land Rover on a Pole'.  This landmark is in a lovely little park and is a Memorial to the land scheme provided by the Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP), which in 1950, funded the development of vast areas of bushland into farmland, resulting in a large growth period for Keith.  It must count as one of the more unusual tourist attractions I have seen!

Back on the road we continued again stopping next at Tailem Bend, first for the view of the Murray River and then into town where we had a quick look at the rail museum in the old railway station building.  It was fascinating and full of history but we didn't stay too long as we still had a long way to go.

We drove back to the ferry crossing at Tailem Bend and were soon on our way again driving through some very unusual farmland right beside the flood plains of the Murray River.  

We stopped for lunch at a little park on the banks of the Murray River before continuing our drive through the beautiful vineyards of the Fleurieu Peninsula.  Shame we had no time to stop along the way but 'places to go, Islands to explore' was the motto for these two days.

We arrived at Cape Jervis Station where we were booked into a powered site and found an amazing place with views across the water to Kangaroo Island.  Just one problem here, the weather had closed in and as we arrived so did the rain and we couldn't see a thing until the next morning.  It didn't stop Bill snapping the Galahs and Corellas as they descended on the trees at dusk.  The heavy rain continued overnight and it was a very soggy camper we packed down the next morning but it was only for a few hours and it would be up and drying again soon.  

The views the next morning were worth all the rain and the station itself was a great place to camp.  Settled in the 1840's it was and still is a working sheep station now doubling as a campground as well.  With some powered sites and lots of room for tents, shearers bunkhouses and the old shower blocks complete the rustic feel of the place and it is a perfect spot to overnight before catching the ferry to the island.

That night we got a little damp setting up in the rain but were soon inside again, warm and dry with dinner cooking and a movie to keep us entertained.  We went to bed with the sound of rain on the roof and were soon in the land of nod after a long day of wonderful new places.  Hope the rain stops in time for us to pack up in the morning.

until then.........

More Celebrations..........

Bill had a couple of trips during the next two weeks and at home on the weekends we had Mothers Day the following  Sunday.  We all met at Faye's place for a lovely lunch with Mum, Maree, Jarrod, Aaron, Amelia, Laurie and of course Rem and Ethan.  We had a fun afternoon playing the Logo Game after lunch and enjoyed spending the day together.

The following week it was my birthday, yes another year older!  We drove down to Mordialloc on Saturday morning and had lunch at Seed Cafe with Mum, Maree, Faye and Rem.   Not quite so nice as previous times but lovely to see everyone again.

After lunch Bill and I returned home, jumped on a tram and went into the city for some Retail Therapy. I had vouchers to spend! Walking through the Mall we came across these four 'Statues'.  Not sure how they keep these poses for so long but they certainly attracted a crowd and I couldn't resist these pictures.

Back at home we donned the 'Glad Rags' and got ready for drinks and dinner with Astrid and Hans.  They arrived early and  we opened the 'bubbles' before walking the few blocks away to The Olive Tree for a fabulous night and a delicious dinner.    Bill's Spareribs were scrumptious, Han's Calamari delicious and Astrid and I could not finish our Beef Parcels with vegetables.  And then we all tried to fit desert in too.  Thank goodness we had to walk home as well and we certainly didn't need much the next day.  

Back at home we said goodbye to our visitors and wished them Happy Holidays as they are off to America and Canada for a huge adventure and to catch up with their daughter, Bianca.    Can't wait to see them again and hear all about it.

Oh and I just loved the birthday present, so glad to have a spot ready for you to park in when you visit next.   Only joking people, it will take pride of place when I have a fence to hang it on.  

Another quiet Sunday as we prepared for another week at work, this time at our other Retail Centre in Docklands.  A very much quieter office than I am used to and while I would not like to spend too much time there as it is quite boring, it did make a nice change and gave me a chance to see how much that area has changed over the years.  The Docklands end of Collins St and Bourke St are now wall to wall buildings, mostly offices and the once lonely Bunjil the Eaglehawk, is now almost lost among all the buildings.  

The white sculpture, standing 7 stories high, has been watching this area develop for many years.  Now it seems he must move to make way for further development but the latest news says it will only be a few metres away to the median strip nearby.  It just wouldn't seem the same without him standing tall.

And so with another week finished, May is almost over and just the day before we had broken another weather record with over 20 days in May of temperatures over 20 deg.  This has never happened since records began.  The coats brought out a few weeks ago in anticipation of winter had been put away again but I'm sure it won't be too long until we need them all again.

Time for me to see what we can do next, until next time........

Wedding Bells are going to chime........

Well we managed to survive the week at work and another surprise visit by Sandra and Naomi helped us get though five full days.  Bill was home this time and we had a lovely dinner at The Blue Room in South Melbourne.  Clay Pots all round and four very happy diners.  It was good to see them again.

And then to the big event of the Year.  The big day had arrived.  Suzanne and Bryce were getting married and we were looking forward to celebrating with their family and friends.  The forecast for the day had been terrible but the rain seemed to be kind to them only falling when they were inside and stopping whenever Suzanne needed to be outside.  

The ceremony was held at Roselyn Court in Essendon and the lovely heated marquee was a perfect venue.  It was a beautiful ceremony with family and friends taking part and making it special for them all.  After a few photos in the gardens the guests all moved to the Essendon Football Club for drinks while the wedding party had photos taken ( out of the rain).

A couple of hours later we all arrived back at Roselyn Court for the reception where everyone had a wonderful night and thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations.  Suzanne was a beautiful Bride and Bryce a very handsome groom.  The wedding party looked amazing in Black dresses and the flower girls and page boy all the way from Scotland looked so very cute.  And of course Suzanne's Dad in his Kilt was a special touch.  

We had a wonderful day and know you enjoyed it too.  To Suzanne and Bryce we love you both and wish you every happiness for many years to come.   

We had a quiet Sunday catching up on housework and washing and before we knew it we were getting up again for work on Monday morning.

Another surprise during the next week had Bett and her friend Kerry knocking on our door.  We went 'Downstairs' for dinner and had a wonderful night catching up on each other's news over the last year or two.  Yes, it's been a while but as always seems like yesterday.  So good to see you again.

So just a few more days until the next weekend and whatever that might bring.

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