The Gripp II

Koala tea at Kennet River

herbmiller — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:55:28 +0000

I like a sturdy support when I'm resting after my tea

Erskine Falls – fortunately I didn’t

herbmiller — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:04:52 +0000

just a trickle today

We stopped briefly at Lorne to ask for directions to Erskine Falls.

But when we got there we discovered that someone had turned the tap off, so it wasn’t particularly splashy.

The view from Teddy’s Lookout was far more spectacular.

Here’s a slightly bigger version of the image in the header.

holding on for dear life - it's a long way down

Split Point lighthouse – Airey’s Inlet – Great Ocean Road

herbmiller — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:45 +0000

Don’t you think the colours of this lighthouse are just perfect?

We briefly considered following the lighthouse discovery trail but decided a cup of tea and a wee would be the best use of our time. Notice that my facilities were rather open to the public.

Tea and a wee

Click on this link for a brilliant 360 degree panoramic view of Split Point Lighthouse Aireys Inlet

Leaving Melbourne – Great Ocean Road

herbmiller — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:30:30 +0000

The next day we left the Hotel Mercure, Melbourne and the World Track Cycling championships behind and headed for the Great Ocean Road. First things first though. We needed to pick up a car. So off to Thrifty in Elizabeth Street to pick up our nifty Hyundai Getz.

Well, it’s thrifty once you get it started… and they didn’t know how to do that, so they left me guarding the car while they went back into the office to find out.

Nifty Getz from Thrifty

Apparently the secret is to depress both the clutch and the brake at the same time as turning the key.

What happened in the next five minutes cannot be published here. It didn’t involve a hook turn on our part, but the car in front did one and we weren’t prepared for that. Nor the rather quick light change at Flinders Street and Clarendon.

Little penguins – part five – the penguin parade

herbmiller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:40:03 +0000

The highlight of the day was actually at night. The little penguins come in from the sea at sunset. About half an hour before they nervously appear at the shoreline, thousands of varying sized humans collect a few hundred yards up the beach ready to count them go by. The rules are that NO ONE, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, is allowed to take photographs as it damages their eyes.

Of course the professionals are allowed to take them, otherwise no-one would would be able to get a preview of their day out.

Our trip to Philip Island was organised by Bunyip Tours. We booked the Philip Island Penguin Parade, and paid a little extra for Penguin Plus, for a more exclusive boardwalk. Here’s a photo from their website.

Little penguins – part four

herbmiller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:30:31 +0000

There was no sign of any little penguins at Cape Woolamai. And the seagulls at the Nobbies were a lot more photogenic than the little penguins.

The nobblies at the Nobbies

Best foot forward gull

The little penguins were either hiding in their burrows, or under the boardwalk.

You didn't see me!

Little penguins – part three

herbmiller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:00:18 +0000

Standing on the shoulders of giants

After the tour round the wildlife park we continued to historic Churchill Island where we watched a sheep shearing demonstration. Afterwards we had some free time to view the animals, gardens and the original farm buildings. I took the opportunity to have my photo taken with a long term resident.

Little penguins – part two

herbmiller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:26:48 +0000

Having said goodbye to the sleepy koala we went to feed the kangaroos and wallabies.

Don't kick the hand that feeds you

Some of the roos were rather large. Some of the wallabies were smaller, and a lot more timid. Believe it or not, this one was called Joey.

I want some too!

Little penguins – part one

herbmiller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:33:36 +0000

Out first day excursion of our holiday started at midday, as we were off to Philip Island to see the little penguins. Since they don’t emerge from the sea until night fall our tour took in the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park where we met some furry friends. Also some not so friendly biting insects.

Don't touch the koalas

Our guide for the day, Cameron, told us that we weren’t allowed to touch Gumba (aged 7) since it’s against the law in Victoria.

Also not a good idea given the length of his claws.

Brass necking in Melbourne CBD

herbmiller — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:33:52 +0000

Can you tell me where to go for breakfast?

We arrived in Melbourne early in the morning before our room was ready so had to go out for breakfast in the lanes. Susan doesn’t have the best sense of direction, nor it seems can she choose the right people to ask.