Hillston - New South Wales

Beautiful scenery

Even though it was very cold last night, with winter PJ's, flannelette sheets, a heat pack and a good heater we were nice and toasty warm in Myrtle. We headed off about 10.30 to eventually get onto the Kidman Way. We thought we might stay at Griffith but on driving through it just didn't do anything for us, so we decided to drive on to Hillston for the night. As we drove it became obvious why Australia's colours are so often Green and Gold. Between the Golden Canola against to lush green paddocks. The beautiful golden wattle next to the green leaves and then there were kilometres of yellow and green daisies along the roadside. Why wouldn't our colours be Green and Gold. Most people would have heard the saying "This side of the Black Stump". In Australia there are lots of Black Stump locations with lots of different folklore. But today I heard to story of (supposedly) the original Black Stump folklore. Driving along the highway we saw a sign for the Black Stump Hotel. Now we both love dropping into some old historic hotels so we definitely weren't going to miss this one. This hotel also has the tallest bar in the Southern Hempisphere. To match this very tall bar they had some very tall stools to sit at. They actually had a little ladder at the front so you could climb up them. When Shane climbed up I just couldn't stop laughing as he swung his short legs in the breeze. Now for the folklore that was explained to me by the publican. This areas folklore attributes this black stump story to the husband of the unfortunate Barbara Blain, who was buried in the Gunbar Cemetery in 1886. Local legend has it that her husband, a bullocky, instructed her to make a fire while he found feed for his livestock. The day was hot, windy and dusty. When he returned he found his wife had burned to death. The story goes that when people sympathised with him he said "When I returned to the camp my wife was dead - she looked just like a black stump". So that is one piece of history I have learnt today. Tonight's definately not as cold as last night so should another good nights sleep, just wish my chest and head cold would leave me alone.

Tall Bar and very tall chairs

Black Stump Hotel

Shanes feet were a looong way off the ground

OK we're off.

Well we have hit the road on our Aussie Adventure Part 2. It's amazing no matter how organised you are on the morning you are leaving there still seems to be a million things to do and this morning was no exception. But we did still get away in the morning - albeit 11.57am. Even though my house isn't in the city it was nice to get out of the traffic and onto the open road. Driving up through the Shepparton area the beautiful yellow glow of the canola growing in all the paddocks was like we were swimming through a sea of yellow. We hadn't really planned on where we would stay for the night. So when we reached the little township of Finley we decided to check in at the Finley Lakeside Caravan Park. It's a really nice little park, really clean amenities and situated right on Lake Finley. For only $20 for a powered site we are happy.  We met some lovely people around the campfire and are now sitting cosy and warm in Myrtle. 

Fields of Canola

Myrtle all set up

Lake Finley

Nothing better than sitting by a fire

Preparation Time

Well the time has come for us to head off in our Jayco Swan Outback for our Aussie Adventure Part 2. Compared to Part 1 which was 12 months, this is a short trip at around 3 or 4 months. We will be leaving from Melbourne and heading north to who knows where. On our Aussie Adventure Part 1 we did Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Austrlalia. So this time we are concentrating on the eastern states, but then again who knows where we will end up. Travelling is certainly an amazing and enjoyable lifestyle but it is so hard to leave your family. Especially when your family consists or 4 little gems like Clare, O'Shea, Mikayla and Finn. But I know I will see them soon and thank goodness for FaceTime and Skype. I would love to have you come along for the ride and join in on our adventure (virtually anyway).

My Boys - O'Shea and Finn

My Girls - Rachel, Clare and Mikayla

Batemans Bay Memories

Well I'm now home after a wonderful week in Batemans Bay visiting my son Shane, his wife Stacey and my two adorable grandsons O'Shea (4 yrs) and Finn (20 mths). My little holiday consisted of looking after the boys for a couple of days while Mum and Dad went skiing.

Shane & Stacey off having some grown up time

Get a load of O'Sheas beautiful eyes

We had a day at Mogo Zoo which is a privately owned zoo in the historic mining village of Mogo. Mogo Zoo has had success in breeding programs for endangered species such as Snow Leopards, cotton-top Tamarin, Red Panda and the Sumartran Tiger. It is also one of two zoos in Australia that exhibit White Lions. One of the most popular animals at the zoo would have to be the pair of male southern white Rhinos. Weighing up to 4000kg and standing up to 1.8 metres tall, the zoos two newest and largest residents are brothers "Kei" and "Jabari". The two brothers now have to be house separately as they are both coming into the breeding age and may fight for their ground if housed together. We were lucky enough to be there at the right time to see Jabiri have a feed.

Lunchtime at the Zoo just before Finn called it a day and fell asleep.

One very big Rhino

We also had a couple of days where we did a bit of fishing. No luck with the fish but it was still a bit of fun.

The Heritage Bakery in historic Milton, built in 1870 was a great choice for our lunch.
Probably the best curry pie I have had in a long while. 

Beautiful spot for fishing even though it was quite chilly (actually freezing!)
and we didn't catch anything. 

My Batemans Bay Boys

Day Two of our road trip went well and the further north we got to clearer the skies got. With each kilometre I got a little bit more excited about seeing my two little grandson O'Shea (4) and Finn (1) as I hadn't seen them for quite a while. As soon as O'Shea saw me he ran to me and gave me a huge hug. Finn wasn't to sure at first but it only took about half an hour and he was hugging me as well. Today their Mummy and Daddy (my son Shane and his wife Stacey) headed off to Perisher for a few days skiing. It's the first time they have had a few days away without the boys and I get to indulge in their little personalities. Considering they are not used to being away from their parents they weren't fazed at all when Shane and Stacey headed off. I am so lucky to have the most adorable four grandchildren in my life. Oh I almost forgot I'm also babysitting Bosco the dog as well.

Road Trip Day One

This morning we headed off early on our first part of our road trip to Batemans Bay. Why are we going  to Bateman's Bay, well my son and his family live there and we're going up to look after my two little grandsons O'Shea and Finn, while Mummy and Daddy go off skiing. From home Batemans Bay it's just over 759 kilometres and would take about 9 hours to drive so we usually do the drive over two days. We did have full intentions of heading off very early but as usual we got held up and didn't end up leaving until about 9.00am. How come even though we are only going for a week the back of the car looks as though we are heading of on another major trip!!!

A Very Full Car!!!

The trip went along without any hitches although it has rained almost all the way. At one of our toilet stops I did have the feeling that I was being watched by the locals! 

Being watched by the locals!!

Tonight's we are staying in the seaside township of Lakes Entrance. As the names suggests, Lakes Entrance is the entry point from the ocean to the Gippsland Lakes. The Gippsland Lakes are Australia's largest and most beautiful inland waterways. They consist of a network of lakes, marshes and lagoons, covering 600 square kilometres. We are now settled in for the night, there won't be much social activities (or swimming) while we are here as it is just way to old and wet!!! 

Anyone for a swim!!!