The international environmental boat "Earthrace" visited Warrnambool over the Australia Day long weekend. We took Hughie down to have a look over it and thought that Ben & Chloe might be interested. A short phone call later, and Tim brought them down for a tour.
The vessel itself is smaller - both in height and width - compared to what I expected, but it is spectacular. A bit gimicky, I think but very unusual. They should paint if black and hire it out for the next Batman movie - it would make an ideal Batm'boat. Or, alternatively, for the next James Bond
movie.
As mentioned in the previous entry, we have been to the Warrnambool Seaside carnival at Lake Pertobe. Had to rug up a bit as the breeze was quite chilly, but that didn't manage to put a dampener on things.
games to no great success - they won a few little trinkets, but enjoyed the challenges. Ben then wanted to try the "Rocket" ride, so Chloe went on the mini-train ride. She got the best of it here as Ben got a bit jittery in the confines of the rocket, so we gave it a miss, even managing to get a refund for our troubles. Congratulations to the "Carny" running it, he was very
understanding (well, very is an overstatement, but it didn't take too much convincing for him feel some compassion).
something similar as they have a trampoline in the back yard. But, with an attendant assisting and with the benefit of safety straps they were able to let it all 'hang loose'. Gained some great height and although it's the most expensive attraction there, they get quite a long time on the apparatus. Chloe proved to be a bit light in weight to gain really big bounces without help. Both definately looked as though they were trying to enter the stratosphere though.
token after they announced that the last run was about to start, so we got Hughie on board. I must admit, between myself and the Ben/Chloe cars, Hughie came in for a bit of a pasting - in between Ben/Chloe and myself trying to take each other out.
Chloe decided she didn't want to wait, so set up her version of a roller-coaster in the back patio. Chairs for everyone including the safety bar across the front. Those of you familiar with the old Red Faces programme may find the attached picture reminiscent of the Australian Bob-sled Team act that scored so well on one of the early series.
Got a surprise phone call on Thurs 15 Jan - Hughie, Robbie's eldest brother wanted to visit for a while. He arrived Saturday afternoon, having spent a bit of time with other brother, Bruce.
Warrnambool Boat Cruise's short voyage along the Hopkins River. Very peaceful and really shows off some of the newer developments happening along the shores of the river. Took in the breakwater and Thunder Point - of course had to locate the trotting and greyhound tracks (I think they plan to go to the dogs on Wednesday - Robbie, of course, went to the dogs years ago).
scrapped giving cards and presents for Anniversaries some years ago, opting instead to simply go out and have a nice meal together.
Adrian and Chrissy spent the Christmas week in Perth with her family, so we had our big Christmas day on the preceding weekend. As will be seen by the photo, lots of presents, although things aren't quite what they seem - no we're not that flushed with funds that we personally bought out every store in the district. Ben & Chloe got into the spirit of things by wrapping lots of little trinkets to be given out on the day and this swelled the pile of gifts under the tree. It was a great day and just about every present hit its mark.
lights tour. Much the same as past years, but still some fantastic displays that had Ben & Chloe gasping. One difference, and big improvement, was that I programmed the tour into my SatNav and then just followed instructioons (could be a first for me!). Although I know the streets fairly well, it did make things much easier, alleviating the need to constantly look for street signs - very handy given the amount of traffic that was obviously following a similar route to ours.
One of our better New Year's Eve celebrations then concluded the "season". Lorelle, Ben, Chloe, Berty Boy, Lilly, Robert (Lilly's son -
boy has he grown - fair bursting out of his seams, he will have his head in the stratosphere if he gets any taller), Rod & Gwen all contributed to a relaxed, entertaining and great night. No wheel chair in sight but Lorelle opted for tricycle racing. All it needed was the Hutchies and the competition would have really been on. Wonderwoman brought things under control again and we settled back into some gentle imbibing and lively discussion. Could hear a few fireworks in the area around midnight, but didn't see any lighting up the neighbourhood.
we were otherwise occupied and pulled off a neat trick. We were expecting something of course, but they went beyond the normal boundaries and involved the livestock, or should I say, the fowls.
We decided to go away on the weekend of 10/11 May - last chance with Company car and petrol. Even so, didn't venture too far - just to the Grampians. Before I get into the trip story, I have deliberately placed a photo of the Silverband Falls right at the start - take a look at it to the left. Now, what is missing in this photo? If you can't figure it out, I will tell all at the end of the narrative.
certainly not at their best. All in all, we probably walked about 10 kms on the Saturday, mostly not too arduous. Splitters Falls, at Wonderland, was probably the most difficult. We didn't do the Pinnacle or Grand Canyon. From there we went on to Boroka Lookout where the mist tended to spoil the view a bit. We did notice the novel decking here, where they obviously went to great expense and trouble to save one tree when the lookout was built. I guess, if I can paraphrase the Monty Python song - "Every tree is sacred", they obvioulsy felt that the Grampians were short on trees.
From the lookout, we took a back way round to the Lake Whartook wall. The water level here (as with all the lakes in the area) is well down on the last time we visited. From there a short stint to MacKenzie's and Broken Falls. The guy working at the Kiosk here was very helpful with advice on various places we might find interesting. On his advice we proceeded to Zumstiens where we took the 6 km round trip to Fish Falls. A nice easy
grade walk (the most difficult bit was avoiding all the animal poop scattered along the track). Got up close with a kangaroo on the walk back - one of the few we saw on the entire trip.
Okay, have you worked out what was missing at Silver Band Falls. Here is a closer picture. What would one normally find at the bottom of every waterfall? A pond or pool where the water collects before continuing onwards as a creek or stream. Well, this just doesn't happen with these falls. The water disappears immediately into the bed rock at the base and then proceeds underground for a way. We reckon it's some sort of magic trick, but it does give a very unusual finish to the falls.
It isn't all that long ago that you couldn't even get Chloe to go into the aviary, what with all those wild "animals" in there.
Just spent a weekend in the Mt. Gambier area. Stayed at the Port MacDonnell Foreshore Tourist Park, in their on-site flat. A bit old, but spacious and comfortable - only downside was the cleanliness (or lack of it) in the unit. Stove (oven & grill), toilet and washing trough were all putrid - not even up to one star standard. Left for there after 
work and Ben & Chloe had finished their school days (Chloe's at kinder now) - an easy trip so we could stay that night and get a good start to our touristy things on Saturday.
slept in) and then on to the playground at the Brown Lake centre, which made a really good contrast in colour to the Blue Lake. From there it was on to the Umpherstone Cave or sink-hole (which we returned to after dark - much more interesting). We 
then visited the tourist info centre for some ideas. After Macca's for lunch we checked out the Cave Gardens. From there to the Tantanoola Cave for Ben & Chloe's first caving experience, which we were a bit nervous about, but they really loved it. We had planned tea at the South Eastern Hotel, so headed back to the unit to have a quick break before returning to the
Mount.
Sunday, we headed home, with a few stops on the way. First was the Princess Margaret Rose Cave. This was much deeper, narrower and bigger than Tantanoola but everyone ventured forth without any problems. From there we had a wander at the mouth of the Glenelg River at Nelson. Ben had a run-in with a tiger snake but handled it exceptionally well. Did everything right. Warned the rest of us, didn't panic, kept his eyes on it and stayed fairly still 
until it went off into the undergrowth. Aido would have been really proud of him. We had lunch in Portland after getting up close to the Gas Rig moored in the harbour and the whale skeleton in the info centre. Interesting to see a quote in there from John Brabyn Mills, a direct line ancestor of Ben & Chloe. John and brother Charles were pioneers around Portland and Port Fairy.
we have ended up with a metallic red KIA Rio LE Hatchback. Their trade-in offer was pretty poor, but got that increased and they agreed to fit Cruise Control for cost at the first service - so the deal was done, signed, sealed and delivered.
we figured he might have problems unwrapping it - what, with no arms or hands, could prove to be a little difficult.
mark. So we thought we would get a little wading pool so that Ben & Chloe could have a bit of a cooling romp in the back yard when they and Lorelle dropped in for the usual New Year's eve get together. Picked up a cheapie at K-Mart (it was even an extra 20% off for some reason). As you will see by the pictures, it didn't take much to set it up. What you might call "The
Dehydrated Pool" - simply add water. It's actually the same as the one Adrian & Matt "sank" into the back yard for the ducks.
Along with a backyard 'shower' contraption, the pool was a real hit. Kids love water, and it doesn't even have to be hot weather. They were in and out of the pool all afternoon and into the evening. It must have been very 
refreshing as Chloe decided that she'd round things off with a good dancing exhibition and Ben added his bit with the air guitar - all to the accompaniement of some of Robbie's CD's - REM, Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi, etc. You get the picture and now probably sympathise with me over her choice of music.
Chloe even gathered together all her friends around the display pond so that they could watch on. Only visitor during the evening was the ever reliable Albert who joined us and saw in the New Year. It 
was really nice just sitting out the back, especially once things started to cool down in the evening. Only problem was the occasional mosquito - they really get stuck into poor Chloe. She ended the evening with a number of prominant red welts on her face, arms and legs. Amazingly, in one of the pool photos, we actually snapped one about to land on her cheek. Check the photo and you will see the little bugger about to set down on her right cheek.
We had a slightly different lead up to the big day this year. Adrian was going to be in Western Australia over Christmas, so we had the family get together a bit earlier than usual. Followed our normal patterns, though. All the pressies placed under the tree, and then the family gathering and present opening ritual.
Santa still came through on Christmas morning so they picked up a few more things. Chloe very impressed with her special make-up model. They then went on to spend the day with Dad and the rest of the Watts' clan for their family celebrations.
