Campers

We have only two more nights before we take off for the land across the waters, New Zealand.    But before we leave I must include some photographs taken of different rigs that we saw as we travelled around the coast of Australia.   Most caravans were towed by 4 wheel drive vehicles or utilities.    

The basic.   The 4 wheel utility, which held all the food and cooking utensils, as well as the owners tools of trade as a builder.    His tent was the little brown one on the left but he had an awning between the tent and utility plus a side piece of plastic to keep off the sun and rain.   

The ultra modern.    A small trailer, which held the queen sized bed, a platform which folded down from the back of the trailer, and which served as the floor to the canvas tent.   The kitchen, which included stove and sink, pulled out from the side of the trailer (can see it beside the people).

The popular.    This A framed trailer caravan folded down flat when it was being towed.  We saw lots of them in caravan parks and for sale in caravan showrooms.  Lots of windows, but not much room inside.   Very compact.

The ultra popular.   This caravan had a pop up roof, plus a sleeping compartment which popped out of the end.   Sometimes both ends.   They allow for plenty of living space inside the caravan as the sleeping compartments are outside the caravan.    Not for cold countries though but very popular here.

The ultra popular with annex.  

The off road.  This pop top has a high wheel base, all ready for out back travel.

The right angled boat.    An ultra light trailer with sleeping compartment at right angles to the trailer.  

The A frame with sun shade.

Most caravans have ultra large sunshades which roll out from the side of the caravan.   Sides and fronts can be added if required.  I would like one of these for our caravan in the south of France.   So much easier than trying to attach the annex to the caravan, by means of a sliding mechanism.   Especially one that is buckled.

More bowls

More bowls.    I love it!   And if I could be stable for a time, ie in one place, I would definitely join a club.   And it requires a certain level of fitness, which is not apparent when watching a game of bowls.   

We also watched Crackerjack, an Australian comedy about bowling, and certainly the same characters are in each bowling club, as well as the difficulties associated when some clubs bring in the poker machines to boost their income.    The focus then seems to be on gambling, although there are also lovely restaurants attached to these clubs.   

Leopold Sportsmans Club is one such club, with its restaurant and poker machines.    It is also a highly competitive club and winning is high on their agenda.   

 On Saturday, Point Lonsdale played pennant bowls against Leopold.   And there were some tense moments, especially at the end of the afternoon when both teams were running neck to neck.   A nail biting moment.    But Point Lonsdale managed to win overall, and look set to be in the finals at the end of the season.    Well done Point Lonsdale.

I was a little distracted by all the colourful outfits, and could not resist taking some photos.

 Rudolf getting ready to roll his bowl, with the two skippers watching keenly at the other end.  Very fierce competition!

 Last night Point Lonsdale ran 'barefoot bowls' for anyone who would like to have a go at bowls.   As Point Lonsdale is a holiday resort, they get a very good turnout.    For $5 a person, you can bowl for as long as you like.    Walter and I paid our $10 and had a great time, often rolling the bowls in the wrong direction (me),  as did everyone else on the green.   It was very difficult to know whose bowls were whose, as the bowls often went on to the next rink.   And the people called the 'ditch' around the green the 'gutter' so we were on familiar ground here.     Terminology is not the same as Ten Pin Bowling.  

 The club also ran a sausage sizzle, which was very popular with the visitors, as were the meals provided inside the club rooms by a local restaurant.

 Walter and Rudolf in deep discussion about the finer points of bowls.

 A couple of weeks ago Rudolf won the club's Vets Single Championship Bowls tournament.   A very proud moment.

And today we are going for a roll up.   Soon I will be playing pennant bowls!

Ever changing views

The view outside the windows at Rudolf and Conny's house is so beautiful and ever changing, depending on the time of day.     The windows are very large, in fact they make up most of the wall space on two sides of the lounge room, so the garden feels part of the room.

The morning view of the garden.

The midday view of the garden.

The late evening view of the garden.

Walter in deep discussion, and enjoying a glass of wine.

A garden for relaxing in, and for watching the changing colours, light and moods.

Point Lonsdale revisited

After Australia Day, I need to back track a little, just in case people wonder where we are.    We have travelled back to Victoria, to spend 10 days with Rudolf and Conny.    And it is so lovely to be back here again, to spend time at this beautiful sea side town, but most of all, to have more time with Rudolf and Conny.   It has also been great to catch up with Amanda and Macaulay, as well as get re-acquainted with the bowling club.   

The weather has been glorious, sunny, and with temperatures between 22 and 32 degrees.    Perfect weather.

The main beach at Point Lonsdale     

 The Point Lonsdale Bowls Club is also in a prime location, overlooking the beach and opposite three cafes.    What more can you wish for, other than a good game of bowls!

 Rudolf about to throw a perfect bowl.  

 The harbour at Queenscliff.

 There is a well maintained walking/running/cycling track alongside the beach.    We have been going for a long and well paced walk every morning.

 Then I go for a swim in the very cold sea.   Refreshing!

 We have done quite a bit of shopping too!   Conny looking with amazement at the very high prices of clothes in this dress shop.    This was the only overcast day, with a chilly breeze, hence my cardigan and scarf.   Sunhat?    Hopeful!

 And we have also been eating lots of food!    Sitting patiently outside the pub for our food to appear.

Sorrento

Last Wednesday we took the ferry across to Sorrento.   An overcast and chilly day, but exciting to be visiting a very popular sea side resort on the peninsula opposite Point Lonsdale.   The ferry trip took 3/4 of an hour, just long enough to enjoy being at sea, and have a rest.    

Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff (Ballarine Peninsula) sit on one side of the entrance from Bass Strait into Port Phillip Bay, and Nepean and Portsea (Mornington Peninsula) sit on the other side of the entrance.   Melbourne is situated in the centre of Port Phillip Bay.  There used to be two military posts on each side of the entrance, in case someone tried to come into Victoria and steal all the gold from the gold mining towns during the late 1800s.   I think there was also a fear of a Russian invasion at some point in time.

The stretch of water between the two peninsulas is called The Rip, a very deep and dangerous piece of water, and the cause of quite a few deaths each year.    In fact, a Prime Minister of Australia, in 1967, got caught in rough sea water by The Rip, and was never seen again.

The port of Queenscliff, looking towards the old town.

On arrival at Sorrento, the ferry had to reverse into this very tight spot, no room for error here.

The ferry safely enclosed in its little harbour.

The back packers hostel in Sorrento.    A very grand affair.

The main street, looks just like all the other main streets in Australia, except that the shops contain very expensive items for sale.

Our lunch of fish and chips was delicious, although a little on the greasy side.   Great spot though, overlooking the sea.  

I am not sure if the Australian Sorrento bears any resemblance to Sorrento in Italy.    Probably not.   One wonders how these places down under got their names.    It must have been fun, naming new places.   Did they draw the name places out of a hat?

Australia Day

It is Australia Day today.   A public holiday and celebrations everywhere.    And lots of barbeques, of course.   A day of National pride, for all the different cultures that make up the Australian population. 

At Point Lonsdale the weather was perfect, about 25 degrees.    Sunny, and with a lovely sea breeze blowing.       

The Point Lonsdale Bowling Club held an Australian Day Breakfast, which we attended together with Rudolf, Connie, Amanda and Macauley.      The breakfast included orange or sparkling wine or a combination of both (no alcohol for me - too early), sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs and tomatoes.    Plus loads of toast and vegemite.    It was very delicious and not at all greasy.    Conny was in charge of the scrambled eggs, perfectly cooked.    We had a lovely time as everyone was so friendly and made us feel very welcome. 

 Amanda and Macauley looking very happy.

 After the breakfast there was a friendly tournament, which Walter and Rudolf entered.   They did not win but had an enjoyable time.    Walter is wearing the grey trousers.

 Rudolf contemplating how to advise his team mate on how to bowl that perfect shot.

 The happy winners of the tournament.   I love the top hat.

And so ends a very happy Australia Day.

West Beach

On Monday we had a final look at the beach scene in Adelaide from the windows of the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club.    Airconditioned.    Temperature outside was 39 degrees.    Very hot.

Looking towards Glenelg.

 Too hot to swim.   Only the brave went to the beach.

 Jespa and Jay posing on the verandah at the club.

After the surprisingly very good lunch, we went to the airport where we said our goodbyes and reluctantly left Darren, Jay and Jespa.    Our luggage weighed in, exactly the amount we were allowed, which was 20 kg a bag in the hold, and 10 kg in the cabin.    Walter had to take out a few items from his main bag and put it into his cabin bag.    Remarkable, as we have been travelling for nearly three months.

At home

Today is our last day, with Darren, Jay and Jespa, at Aldinga Beach.    And we are enjoying a lovely, restful and sunny day with them.    However, the temperature will soar to 35 degrees or more, but at the moment there is a cool sea breeze blowing in the window as I write this blog.

Walter and Darren are watching Day 6 of the Tour Down Under, on television of course.   Jay and Jespa are playing a game, where they have filled coloured plastic gloves with water.   Each glove has a name.    I can see the game ending in disaster.   I have moved them away from my bed.

Andreena and John visited us yesterday afternoon.    They had a very long slow drive through the hills from Gawler, due to the Tour Day Under Race.  It was really lovely to see them, and we spent the afternoon and evening talking, eating and drinking some wine of course.    Andreena and I did go out for a swim with Jay and Jespa though.

Jespa dressed in his Buzz Lightyear costume.   A little hot for this time of year!   But he looks the part.

Andreena making adjustments to the costume, with John giving some advice.

Darren's back shed, which has lots of timber and tin stacked on either side.   A great place for redback spiders.    We thought Emma would be interested in this shed!

Walter and Darren enjoying the shade and an early morning cup of coffee.

JD sleeping on my bed.    Not an elegant pose I know, but a favourite of his.    JD often sneaks into the bedroom for an evening sleep.   And when the air conditioning is on at night, I also wake up to find him stretched out on the bed, and taking up most of the room.

My new $6 outfit.   And I know that many people will say it looks $6 too.   Very cheap.  The elf look!

A last look at Aldinga Beach.     I will miss this beach, especially being able to drive onto it, walk to the water, swim, get out and dry off a bit, get back into the car and drive home.    My idea of swimming at the beach.    It is also a very beautiful beach and very safe, no undertows or rips.    

Off the Melbourne tomorrow, that's if Jet Star actually leave Adelaide airport.   They have changed this flight so many times we are wondering if they really intend to fly to Melbourne, tomorrow.    We booked this flight and seats months ago, and now Walter does not have a seat number, and they are not answering their phones.    Jet Star is now off our list of airlines.

Willunga Waldorf School

Jay and Jespa attend Willunga Waldorf School, which is a R to Year 13 school.   Most of the buildings are made of compressed clay, and beautifully designed.   Of course there are still some portable classes but they are slowly being replaced by permanent buildings.    The grounds are landscaped, using Australian trees and plants, and are very pleasant and attractive.    They have a large number of areas for children to play in, both paved and natural, plus plenty of equipment and sporting areas.    

Jay and Jespa still have two weeks left of their school holidays, but last week they attended a Circus Club which uses the school hall to run classes for children after school and during the holidays.

The front entrance to the school.

 The school hall with its magnificent huge wavy verandah at the side.  

 Jay walking on the stilts.   She was very pleased to have mastered this skill over the three days she attended the club.    I felt very nervous watching her walk around, unaided.

 Jespa learnt how to form a human tower.  

 This will be Jespa's classroom next term.

This will be Jay's classroom next term.

 Looking towards part of the primary playground.

An interesting school.