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Hi Everyone,
Today we started our journey from Adelaide down to Melbourme. Our guide, Dave, has the reputation of being the most awake person alive at 5.00am in the morning, oh dear! He was accompanied with a co-driver, Kiwi, never did get his real name. What we did not know was that the next two days were going to present us with the best walking / climbing of the trip.. Flinders was good but we were now entering the Grampian National Park and driving through the Adelaide hills. As you might imagine the further south we went the more different the scenery became. We had left behind red, arrid earth and now had green fields and recognisable agriculture and farming as a back drop. We have travelled a few of thousand kilometers so imagine driving from say Tunisia to northern Europe and you will have some idea of the changes taking place.
We arrived at Hollow Mountain and climbed to the top for views across the Grampians. The walk was more than just following a path and had us clambering over steep rocks and through narrow gaps. It was more interesting than just doing a walk and just about everyone agreed. The views from the top were as good as any we have expereienced and we were relatively lucky wirth the weather which did try to dampen our spirits at the top but not by much. Certainly not enough to send 'Johnny Rambo' running for his poncho! Going down we encountered a party of school children most of whom were running up, the teacher, who was naturally behind them, did look a little dismayed and was desparately trying to keep up. She was a little red in the face and barely able to speak as I offered a cherry greeting! Mean I know but made me smile. Poor girl. I'm sure her kids waited for her at the top. I continued down as another batch of children ran past shouting, "C'mon Sheila, keep up!" Tut, kids 'ey!
Before we had finished Youth Australia had another spectacle for us. This time in the form of a group of teenagers with backpacks, stopped on a small crossing point and most wearing some form of teenage 'uniform' or another. Apart, that is from one lad who inexplicably was sporting a pair of gold lame tights. Quite why he thought this was necessary I'm not too sure but his was by far the most incredible sight of the day. I just hope he won the bet because I would hate to think he was wearing them voluntarily.
This led us to our peultimate day which included another great walk and this time I believe that it was a case of saving the best for last. We had several overhangs to climb under and this was definately rock climbing country as several groups showed on the way up.We were still in the Grampians but this point was called the Pinnacles. It is a great climb and does have great views to make it all worth while at the top. It is actually moments such as these that I realise that my little camera has reached the limitations of its ability. The different light conditions are just a bit too much for the poor little piece of kit but dragging a heavy SLR is impracticle for me so my little point and shoot is doing okay. The remainder of the day took us to the Great Ocean Road and a visit to the 12 Apostles, described as 'Gorgeous' I wouldn't put it quite like that but limestone stacks can be 'interesting' Interesting enough to entice me into a helicopter for a flight over the coast line and around the area? Well yes. I actually do not like helicopters at all and it was against my better judgement that i went. Give me a fixed wing and a fighting chance any day. Having seen that the helicopters carrying the company logo were actually quite big I decided to give it a go.
All was well until it came to the flight when I was directed in company with Kiwi and Alison from our party, to a chopper no bigger than the size of a gnat, Wonderful! As we were about to be led acrooss to the revolving rotas we were given a safety briefing and a life vest. 'pull this toggle if the thing above your head stops turning!'
The flight was done and dusted in about 7 - 10 minutes and I did manage to snap a couple of pictures but I need something with anti-vibration control as I'm not sure what was shaking more, me or the helicopter. I really don't like flying in them and felt ill for the rest of the day. The Apostles are crumbling and they are currently short of numbers because one collapsed into the sea. We returned at sunset to watch the obvious amd I thought about all of you at home just starting your day as I watched the sun dip below the horizon only to kiss the Earth on the other side of the World. For many of us it was our last night together and for me a time to reflect on the trip, all that I had seen and the people whose company I had enjoyed so much. Not everything is noted on this Blog but the important bits which I'm going to allow you to read, are. They will differ from other peoples recollections, of that I am sure and they do include any possible embellishment which I can legally come up with! I can think of one story which I'm sure will be spoken about over the dinner table for a long time to come, oh but what great fun.
The Last Day.
Stephane has been wearing a pair of 'Rip Curl' flip flops or Thongs as they call them in Australia. Both shoes have large holes in the sole where they have been worn through, but fair play to Johnny Rambo, he has kept the faith with his favourite footwear to the bitter end. However, today is the day when he is due to part company from his beloved but somewhat worn old faithfuls. Today the home of surfing and labels such as Quicksilver and RipCurl comes to Johnny from the town of Torquay via Belles Beach.
We drove along the Grat Ocean Road after visiting a rain forest and doing the usual tree top walk. It was very interesting but rain it most certainly did and coupled with a dramatic drop in temperature, it was cold. By the time we got back on the bus we were damp through. This meant that for the most part the bus was completely steamed up due to wet boots, jackets and trousers and in Stephane's case flip flops which he had lovingly worn all day, for the last time.
We just passed by the Ocean, no amount of wiping windows, aircon or much else was going to clear them, it was pouring with rain outsdie and grey. We finally visited Belles beach where only 3 hardy Dudes were in the water and as the rain lashed down ably asisted by a howling wind they were most welcomed to it. I'm sorry that they only had a quick photo taken of them but I dont do temperatures less than 28 degrees these days.
Next stop Stephanes' Thongs. Torquay shopping village is remarkably like any Freeport shopping centre you have been to I would not be surprised if they are owned by the same people. Rip Curl was right at the front and young 'Johnny' was 'in like Flynn' as they say Every design every colour, different variations on a theme, they were all there, I could see this would cause some people a real problem. Not Johnny, black was order of the day, only problem was the different style of logo on the sole, well bearing in mind he wears them through I didn't really see the issue there. Sensible as Stephane is he opted for like for like, good man. We had a little ceremony to bid the 'old thongs' farewell. I held the dustbin lid whilst Johnny said a tearful goodbye and gently lowered the now fabled flip flops into the bin, whilst getting the new ones wet for the very first time.The boy was now a Happy Chap, fully kitted out and for a bargain price, well relatively.
Onwards then for the final leg to Melbourne. It continued raining just about all the way there and then some. I was going to go to Graham's house in the Burbs but had considered staying in town for one last evening together. As it happened accommodation was hard to come by due to The Melbourne Cup weekend so The Burbs it was then.I left the bus at Flinders Street as did Vicky. We jumped on a tram together but I left her when I departed for the railway station. We had arranged to meet the next day at an internet place I had previously found, to be joined by Stephane in the morning. And so it was I had to say Goodbye to Suzie who is now slowly making her way back to Holland. A very sad moment for me, I had become attached to everyone but Suzie and Linda are 'Special' people.
To Kerstin, James, Andrew, Stephane, Suzie, Linda, Vicky and Sue, who left in Alice, thank you one and all. I could not have wished for a better group of people to meet or travel with. It has been an absolute pleasure and so much fun. Thank you all.
So. It was to Graham's. There's another story!
See you,
Chris.
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