31/5/02

Drove from Warrnambool to Mount Gambier. Stopped @ Gelneig for lunch by the estuary, very peaceful, we saw some pelicans. We arrived @ Mnt Gambier early so we went for a walk, we nearly walked all the way into town but the thought of coming back up hill all the way stopped us. We had dinner early & got a cab to Mac's Hotel to watch the opening of the World Cup. It was a sports bar but we had to ask them to put the football on one of the screens as no one else seemed interested. There were a lot of pissed people, who had been to the local races that day, making arses of themselves, no different to home really. France lost to Senegal, I nearly cried laughing, we were a bit tipsy by then so we walked home.

27/5/02

Arrived back in Melbourne, had to use the force to get back to M&T's as we didn't have a map.

25/5/02

Up early again for another long days driving to various places. Started by stopping @ Eaglehawk Neck, the skinny piece of land that connects Port Arthur to the mainland, we had a look at the "Dog line", a line of vicious dogs they setup to stop people escaping. Next drove to Richmond. Has a coffee in the Maze Cafe then did the rather large mazes they have out the back. It's good fun, makes you feel a bit giddy @ times. We walked back through the town, there's lots of old buildings, then drove down to the bridge. Next was a 2hr drive to Ross, we stopped in Brighton to take our picture with the sign. In Ross we looked @ the bridge, another convict built job, we drove up the only street then carried on to our campsite near Launceston. Bloke in reception said it was -5 the night before and they were expecting more of the same this evening, it was freezing. There was still some loony with a caravan cooking on his BBQ outside under his awning wearing a dressing gown, long socks and slippers, bonkers!

23/5/02

Got into Hobart about 12ish, didn't get up too early for a change. After a stop @ the tourist info office we drove down to Salamanca Place by the port. The first stop was Antarctic Adventure, like a museum for Antarctic exploration. Lots of hands on buttons to press stuff which was nice. We went in a mini planetarium, we were the only 2 in it. The bloke was very good, he admitted straight off that he had only been doing this for 3 months so didn't know too much, we didn't let on that we'd been to one already, it might have put him off. We did learn some more constellations so he did his job well. They had a cold zone, it's a room chilled to -5 deg C, you can turn on the fans to simulate wind chill, they made a big thing of it but it wasn't that cold, I've skied in worse. Slapped another parking voucher on the van after that and headed off for our city walk. We'd picked up the "Historical Places" walking guide in the info office but it looked like we'd be pushing it to get it done before dark the parking ran out so we did our own shorter version.

21/5/02

Got woken up @ 6:30 by ship wide breakfast announcement, how rude! Disembarked @ 9:30 and got our first road kill 20 mins later, stupid seagull flew into the front of the van, the cage in front of the windscreen is now slightly dented and has attached feathers. Drove to our campsite, Cradle Mountain tourist park. It took a couple of hours to get here but seemed longer, spectacular views on the way though. It started to rain as we got here, we still went for a walk. We drove up to the Cradle Mountain National Park, up to Dove Lake to take pictures, it was very wet and windy there, nice rainbow though. The walk we chose was only a short 2hr one, very beautiful countryside to go through, it's very well organised with paths and signs as well. We got soaked and blown around but it was worth it. We went up to Crater Lake then round to Wombat pool and back to the van. It was very tiring, I am seriously unfit! We were back @ the campsite by 4:30. S cooked our first meal in the van, yay, back to home cooking! It's a bit cramped with the table up but we'll get used to it. Good job we have a heater as it's bloody cold.

17/5/02

Saw Star Wars Ep2 at Chadstones. We were in the Premiere bit, big two seater sofa type things. Popcorn and soft drinks were free, we had wine which got us cheese platters free as well. Was quite disappointed by the film, perhaps I shouldn't have read the book first. Went round to L&C's after and played games and drank lots.

15/5/02

Met Michelle, Karen's sis, or a quick lunch. It was Ok I suppose given that I've never met her, she doesn't look much like K. Went to the gaol after to see the Ned Kelly exhibition. I can't see why people think of him as a hero, he was a thief who stole cattle and held up whole towns to rob their banks. We went to the casino for dinner and played on the "pokies", fruit machines to the rest of us. Lost all A$5 that Margaret gave me fairly quickly, she one loads though.

11/5/02

Didn't get up too early. Went to Brighton beach, it's a lot nicer than ours! There is sand and the sea is clear, there's even a row of beach huts that are graffiti and hippy free. Went to the local pub in the evening for a meal and listened to some more bands. The first was good, brought a CD, the next to were crap.

7/5/02

Sorted out the campervan out in the morning. Thought it would be harder than this but it was an easy choice in the end, we're renting. We looked at some that were for sale but for A$10000 you only get a 18yr old van and you still have to sort out all the extras. The guy does buy backs but they take off A$1100/mnth from the price. The rental van will be max 4yrs old and is fully equipped, in fact the bloke didn't stop giving us stuff for free. We have a van with CD player, microwave, all utensils, all linen, maps, RACV and Big4 membership and more. Also got it cheaper than Dad's, A$55/day, mind you we are having it for 45 days longer. In the arvo we went see Puffing Billy, an old steam train that runs through the hills. Tony dropped us off at Lakeside and met us again at Belgrave. Excellent ride, all the staff dressed in character clothes and the engine looked great.

5/5/02

Got up at lunch time just in time for a barbie. Had more to drink and had to go back to bed, was knackered from yesterdays wedding festivities.

3/5/02

As a treat we went somewhere were I could press lots of buttons and generally act like a kid, we went to the science museum and planetarium, it was excellent! I got to race a dinosaur and Kathy Freeman (lost both). I got weighed again, I've put on 2kg since we've been in Oz. The show in the planetarium was good, all about the planets, it did make me feel quite sick at times though. We went bowling in the evening @ Kathy's AMF, well not hers she works there, I didn't win.

1/5/02

Went to another shopping centre, had to buy clothes suitable for the wedding, just about managed it! Booked tickets for Star Wars on the 17th May in a posh cinema with armchairs & waitress service, hurrah!

30/5/02

Start of the big trip!

Hit the road about 9:30am. Headed for Geelong where we began our journey along "The Great Ocean Road". Stopped in Lorne for a coffee over looking the bay, nice seaside town. We continued for a little while then stopped by the ocean and had lunch. Next stop was Port Campbell National Park. We visited:- Gibson Steps, The Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, The Arch and London Bridge. Continued along the road to Warrnambool where we spent our first night.

28/5/02

M&T arranged a family dinner with L&C, Katherine Kirsty & Nathan. Nice meal.

26/5/02

Drove into Launceston and visited Cataract Gorge. Parked at Duck Reach where we crossed the suspension bridge and looked at the old power station. Crossed back & walked to the first basin. Stopped for lunch & then continued along the otherside of the gorge back to the power station. Really nice walk. Drove into town but everywhere was closed. Drove to Devonport where we would get the ferry. Had some food then went to the pictures. Watched "The Count of Monte Cristo", very good. Boarded the ferry after that.

24/5/02

Drove to Port Arthur where we would be staying tonight. We walked to Port Arthur Historical site from our campsite along the beach and woodland path. Port Arthur was a penal colony in the 1800's. Some of the buildings were interesting, ticket included a tour of some of the main sights which was good, Wally was our tour guide. Also we had a boat tour around the harbour where we passed the Isle of the Dead and Point Puer where the boys prison was.

22/5/02

Woke up freezing. Ventured out to the showers, it was actually warmer outside. Drove to the Henty sand dunes which are massive (30m high). Next stop was Strahan, a small riverside town, pretty place (Aub:pretty but closed). We next drove down to Lake St Claire which is at the other end of Cradle Valley Mountain Park. Once again it was beautiful although cold. We continued our journey to Hobart which took us another couple of hours. Arrived at our campsite about 6:30pm. Brought fish & chips for tea and had a drink in the bar, although it was a little quite.

20/5/02

Got up early to pick up the campervan. Popped to the shops to stock up the larder and packed up the van. M&T led us to the ferry port. Got the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.

18/5/02

Went to the botanic gardens for a picnic. A little chilly so we found a shelter to sit in. Afterwards we played Frisbee, haven't run around like that for ages, good fun. Back to L & C's for dinner. Watched Harry Potter first, L cooked bangers and mash which was great. Watched Time Machine after which was terrible.

16/5/02

Another quiet day. Popped to the shops to get the last ingredients for our Thai meal tonight. As usual we were a little slow to get started but eventually got there. We cooked spicy soup, green curry, panang curry, sweat and sour pork and rice. It was all very nice, shame that M & T both had to go out. Never mind, we had Liz and Carl to keep us company.

14/5/02

M & T took us for a drive around the bay. Visited Arthur's seat and then caught the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliffe. Stopped at Point Lonsdale which was quite chilly as the wind blows off the sea.

12/5/02

Went to St Kilda market. Lots of craft stalls (I could have brought loads). Went on the scenic train in Luna park which is a rickety old roller coaster. Aub had his tattoo done, I couldn't watch. After lunch we drove to Ramsey Street and took our photo, it seems a lot smaller than it is on TV. We then came back to M & T's for dinner.

10/5/02

Liz and Carl picked us up about lunch time. We played darts in the garden and had a few drinks. Went to the Espy in St Kilda. Played pool and got very drunk!

8/5/02

Lunch time we all left to go to Ballarat to visit Sovereign Hill (gold digging country), we panned for gold. Aub found a couple of pieces, well specks. Went for a n Italian meal and then went back to Sovereign Hill for the "Blood on the Southern cross" sound and light show, it was very good.

6/5/02

Caught the bus into the city. Walked through the old shopping arcades and down to Southbank by the river. Later we caught the city tram which does a lap of the city centre. A school outing also got on the tram so it was a little difficult to hear the commentary.

4/5/02

Today was Liz & Carl's wedding. Tried to keep out of the way whilst everyone was getting ready. The weather turned out really nice. Very enjoyable day. Met Philip, Aub's cousin (and lots of other people). Had a few drinks and came home with hiccups!

2/5/02

Had my hair done, it feels so good! Met some of Carl's family as they came over for the rehearsal.