Sunday 1st February 2004

Still wet this morning, although it doesn't appear to have rained much overnight. The decision has been made that we will catch a train into Melbourne in the morning, so today is washing day again. Time is going so fast we just seem to start one week and then the next one arrives, I guess that means we are having fun.

At about 2.pm we left the caravan park for a drive and headed off in a northerly direction. We were amazed that we had only traveled a few kilometres when we started to climb into the hills. Our first stop was at a small parking area that looked out over a reservoir in between some steep hills.

We then continued on and turned off further into the hills. We climbed over a number of high ridges and then came down into a place called Black Spur, where there were advertisements everywhere for skiis, toboggans and snow chains... We then arrived in Marysville and visited Steavenson Falls which is 82 metres high and set in a very thick and damp rain forest. There were signs to say that there were Lyre Birds in the area and signs on the road to watch out for them. Unfortunately the patisserie that the 'other one' had promised 'one of us' that we would visit after viewing the falls was closed - the 'other one' wasn't so popular then!!

After this we drove through the ranges to Cambarville and down the other side to Warburton. This was an amazing section of roadway where we wound up the ranges through very tall timber filled with ferns and thick undergrowth, with glimpses of steep mountain sides and very deep valleys. We would have traveled at least thirty kilometres without more than one stretch of straight road longer than 100 metres. With the overcast sky, wet road and dense forest, it would have been easy to imagine it was the middle of winter, however all indications are that if it was, there would have been snow on the roads.

From Warburton we came back to Healsville via Millgrove, Wesburn, Yarra Junction and Launching Place, then through Panton Gap which was a narrow dirt road that covered the Patrol in mud. We arrived back after spending three very enjoyable hours driving through scenery that we would not find in WA.

Monday 2nd February 2004

We have now done the 'Melbourne' bit. We left the caravan at about 9.10am and drove to Lilydale where we caught the train into Flinders Street Station, a journey of about 40 km. We bought all day Metro tickets at a cost of $11.00 each, which seems comparable in dollars per kilometre to W.A. and S.A. rail fares.

On arrival in Melbourne it was straight up Swanston Street and then a quick left into Bourke Street where the David Jones and Myer stores were located. After wandering around the stores for a while, the Evening Wear section of Myer was located, but not before 'one of us' had already checked out the coats and purchased a warm one. (Not pink, but close to it - burgundy!) Then it happened - yes- the dress for the up and coming wedding of our son Travis and his fiancee Lana was found, just quietly minding it's own business sitting on a rack. The whole mission, the reason for visiting Melbourne had now been achieved.

Whilst in Melbourne we walked up to La Trobe Street where we photographed the State Library and the Shot Tower, although the Shot Tower Shopping Centre was being refurbished so 'one of us' was a little disappointed they couldn't get into the large number of shops that were there previously (and probably will be again in the future. The Shot Tower is a shopping centre built around an old 'lead pipe and shot' tower. The tower itself is a brick tower that would have to be about eight stories high which has been restored and stands within the main shopping complex itself.

After all this it was time for lunch and then almost immediately after that it was time to have afternoon tea because 'one of us' noticed a sign advertising freshly cooked scones with jam and cream.

On the way back to the train station we visited the new Federation Square building and had a walk through it, however it would take a lot more time than we had to see much of it. It was time to catch the 3.21pm train back to Lilydale. Our enjoyable and successful shopping trip to Melbourne was over for today.

Tuesday 3rd February 2004

Tarrawarra Winery

Today started out late again, with a drive down the street into Healesville where we booked the Nissan Patrol into a small garage/workshop for an oil change as we have now traveled almost 7,000 km since leaving Kalamunda.

Then we took a trip down to Yarra Glen along the main highway and back via the Yarra Glen to Healesville road. Along the way we stopped in at the Tarrawarra Winery, which has been partially constructed using Western Australian limestone. This winery also houses an art gallery, however this was not open when we were there. We believe the winery is owned by the same people who own the Sussan Clothing chain.

After leaving Tarrawarra we had lunch sitting in the Patrol overlooking more vineyards before returning to Healesville to get the Patrol serviced. While this was happening we walked through the Healesville shopping area and checked out some of the little second hand shops. After picking up the Patrol again we went to the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary which is obviously very popular judging by the number of cars there on a Tuesday. It was home to the usual Australian animals in their natural habitat and included Dingoes, Platypus, Wombats, Koalas, lots of birds and many more. We were almost three hours in the sanctuary and it was well worth the time spent there. Tomorrow we have promised ourselves the day will be spent getting ready for the caravan change over on Thursday, as we have quite a number of things to take off the current caravan that shall become part of the new one.