Just another random piece of street art I like in an alley of the Melbourne CBD.Thursday, November 26, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Bimbi Park
Our friends, Rob and Anna, are moving back to Ireland at the end of the month that is unless Matt and I come up with a brilliant kidnapping plan. Bimbi Park had been recommended to me 2 years ago as a great place to camp by the Great Ocean Road and see wildlife. 
We all headed down for the weekend. There was a sausage sizzle break along the way where the nature watching began. A couple of Ravens were hanging around hoping for a bit of sausage. I through a bit and who knew but the raven buried the sausage piece. She buried about three pieces and when another raven came over to her pile to check things out she karate kicked him with her foot to keep him away. It was a David Attneborough moment if ever I have seen one...the sausage hiding behavior of crows.
First let me say Bimbi Park is FANTASTIC!! We had only been there a few minutes when a koala walked by going from one tree to another. He was trying to get the attention of a girl koala
We all headed down for the weekend. There was a sausage sizzle break along the way where the nature watching began. A couple of Ravens were hanging around hoping for a bit of sausage. I through a bit and who knew but the raven buried the sausage piece. She buried about three pieces and when another raven came over to her pile to check things out she karate kicked him with her foot to keep him away. It was a David Attneborough moment if ever I have seen one...the sausage hiding behavior of crows.First let me say Bimbi Park is FANTASTIC!! We had only been there a few minutes when a koala walked by going from one tree to another. He was trying to get the attention of a girl koala in the next tree over but she just kept eating eucalyptus leaves and pretty much ignored all of his bellowing no matter how loud he got.
The kookaburras were out and about and more than happy to take a little snack from Matt. This is Tommy. The owner of the park was walking by and told us he liked to be fed. The two girl kookaburras he was hanging out with picked up a bit of a feed too.
We took a walk through the park and there were the most beautiful, twisted eucalyptus trees along with lots of spider webs. There was a big kangaroo that went hopping by just as the sun started to go down. We cooked shish kabobs around the camp fire and watched the four koalas in the trees around our cabins eating and sleeping. It was absolutely lovely. One little problem,
The kookaburras were out and about and more than happy to take a little snack from Matt. This is Tommy. The owner of the park was walking by and told us he liked to be fed. The two girl kookaburras he was hanging out with picked up a bit of a feed too.We took a walk through the park and there were the most beautiful, twisted eucalyptus trees along with lots of spider webs. There was a big kangaroo that went hopping by just as the sun started to go down. We cooked shish kabobs around the camp fire and watched the four koalas in the trees around our cabins eating and sleeping. It was absolutely lovely. One little problem,the caravans were covered with a tin roof and one koala was in a tree above Rob and Anna's. Koalas tend to potty a lot and every time there was a good bang on the tin roof. I thought it was funny.
When it comes to our lovely Irish friends, Matt can't seem to help himself and makes loads of potato jokes. He was snickering to himself when we passed by this "No Potato Material Past This Point" sign so we had to go back for a photo. Rob and Anna were good sports.
The sea around the Apostles was absolutely beautiful. The sun was out and the sea was greenish blue. I should have thought about some sunscreen at this point but alas I am now the color of beetroot. 
On the way to the Rainforest Tree Top Walk there were street signs for Apostle Whey Cheese and GORGE Chocolate. I just can't pass up locally made yumminess so we went on a tangent and what a lovely tangent it was! Julian, who did our tasting at Apostle Whey couldn't have been nicer and after trying 14 different kinds of cheese we came away with a bag full of wonderful cheeses! Once we got to the rainforest Rob was on the menu for the T-Rex.
I kept telling myself that this time I would get to the top of the tower in the middle of the walk. I was going to conquer my fear! Well, no fear was conquered per se but I did get a little higher than I went last time. I seem to like my feet on the ground. It was still worth it just to breathe in the lovely smell in the middle of the rainforest. It was a wonderful weekend with Rob and Anna and we sure will miss them when they go back home. On the upside it makes for more friends to visit in Ireland.
When it comes to our lovely Irish friends, Matt can't seem to help himself and makes loads of potato jokes. He was snickering to himself when we passed by this "No Potato Material Past This Point" sign so we had to go back for a photo. Rob and Anna were good sports.The sea around the Apostles was absolutely beautiful. The sun was out and the sea was greenish blue. I should have thought about some sunscreen at this point but alas I am now the color of beetroot. On the way to the Rainforest Tree Top Walk there were street signs for Apostle Whey Cheese and GORGE Chocolate. I just can't pass up locally made yumminess so we went on a tangent and what a lovely tangent it was! Julian, who did our tasting at Apostle Whey couldn't have been nicer and after trying 14 different kinds of cheese we came away with a bag full of wonderful cheeses! Once we got to the rainforest Rob was on the menu for the T-Rex. I kept telling myself that this time I would get to the top of the tower in the middle of the walk. I was going to conquer my fear! Well, no fear was conquered per se but I did get a little higher than I went last time. I seem to like my feet on the ground. It was still worth it just to breathe in the lovely smell in the middle of the rainforest. It was a wonderful weekend with Rob and Anna and we sure will miss them when they go back home. On the upside it makes for more friends to visit in Ireland.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Melbourne Cup Day
"The Race that Stops a Nation"...that's what they call Melbourne Cup here and true enough there is a public holiday...WOOHOO!! But the most important part was I got to wear a hat!
Matt went for a 40's look Zoot Suit pants and all. He even got some cute spectators shoes.
With lots of wagers pending on the ponies there were some "cheers" in order.
I put my hopes on Daffodil but she let me down. Juan Carlos did well in Race 3 though.
After it was all over the hats were off and the lost bets were left crumpled on the table. I do love this Australian tradition...especially the hats!
Matt went for a 40's look Zoot Suit pants and all. He even got some cute spectators shoes.With lots of wagers pending on the ponies there were some "cheers" in order.I put my hopes on Daffodil but she let me down. Juan Carlos did well in Race 3 though.After it was all over the hats were off and the lost bets were left crumpled on the table. I do love this Australian tradition...especially the hats!
Itchy Bum Bird
Matty's arch nemesis when it comes to sleeping in is the "Itchy Bum Bird". The bird has been so named because of his very distinct call that goes "itchy bum bum bum, itchy bum." (at least according to Matt that is what the call sounds like.) In the rest of Australia he would be called a Red Wattlebird. At first I thought Matt was crazy but I must admit I hear it now too...early in the morning....just as the sun is rising....itchy bum bum bum, itchy bum.
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