Monday 12th October
Alice:
We left Melbourne, we’d had a lovely time thanks to Manou and Rich, seen all the sights and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We’d planned to hire a car in Melbourne and drive round Victoria then drop it back in Melbourne and get the Greyhound bus to Sydney however due to a mix up the car hire company the one we’d booked got cancelled and we had to hurredly sort out another one that we could drop off in Sydney. Unfortunately this meant that we didn’t have the extra time in Melbourne that we’d planned and therefore couldn’t meet up with Ang’s Mum and Bro which we had been looking forward to.
We are now in possession of a 1.8 Toyota Camry called Ruth which we picke dup at 5.30pm and drove to the upper Yara resevoire campground, it was the first time we’ve arrived and pitched after dark but all went smoothly as we had the car lights to guide us.
Also today is the father smith’s birthday! Happy birthday Dad, they have a whole chain of electronics stores out here named after you, here’s some pics.
It’s a bit like PC World. Hope you had a good day.
Tuesday 13th October 2009
After waiting for the tent to dry out we set off on the road through the forests and it was then that something wonderful happened! I spotted a wombat shuffling around by the side of the road! Gareth screeched to a halt and I bolted from the car, camera in hand, before it had stopped properly and ran back to the wombat. I only managed to take a few pictures before it ran off, I didn’t think it was bothered by my presence but it turned out it just hadn’t noticed me even though I was only about a meter away from it. When it did notice me it bolted off pretty fast!! But still I was very excited and very pleased that we got to see a wombat, a real live wild one!! We have also seen some real dead wild one’s that can’t run away, but we’ll gloss over that.
We then proceeded to Marysville through huge areas of forest that had been burnt in the wildfires, the extent of it is pretty unimaginable for us Brits who have trouble comprehending the sheer size of Australia (unless you’ve been of course but for me and Gareth it’s a constant source of bafflement!) let alone the extent of the damage wildfires can cause. We arrived in Marysville to find it had been completely burnt to the ground which was pretty emotional to see. The reconstruction project was underway but the residents are living in porta cabins while their houses are being re built. I ddin’t like to take many pictures in the town because it didn’t seem right, we don’t know how many people died, if any, in Marysville.
Wednesday 14th October 2009
We drove on to Glenrowan via the Eildon dam which turns out to be the place of Ned Kelly’s last stand!! (Played by Mick Jagger in the film) The campsite was lovely and we visited the Ned Kelly museum and had our pictures taken with a big Ned Kelly!!
We decided we’d try and get a big walk in to tire ourselves out and try and lose some of the pounds we acquired in Perth and Melbourne!! So we stopped at the tourist info in Wangaratta and decided to take a walk in the Alpine National Park as we drove down the great Alpine highway on our way to Bairnsdale on the coast. I happily planned a route through Dinner plain and we set off... and then this happened.
Bit of snow, that's ok, we have hats and waterproof shoes
Can't possibly get any worse than this..
... Oh
WTF!!?
It turns out that both of us cheerfully disregarded the bit in the guide book that said ‘only suitable for walking between November and March due to snow’ (yeh right, we thought, good one, we’re in Australia it doesn’t snow!) which, with hindsight, was probably where we went wrong.
Our foray in the snow made Gareth very nostaligic about skiing holidays and thankfully there was no internet on top of mount Hotham as I think he would’ve booked 6 months in the alps right there and then. We carried on on the Alpine highway to a place called Bruthen where we had a little walk and pitched the tent. There was a proper fire and firewood which Gareth chopped and we could also access un limited free wi fi which made Gareth very happy!
Hope you had a good birthday Adie.
Gareth:
Hello Blog,
It’s Gareth here!
I know I haven’t been writing the blog lately, probably in case I mess it up, or put something stupid in it, especially when friends are involved. Can’t go calling them flammin drongo’s now. But this day seems to be special, Alice has let me write about today maybe because absolutely nothing happened. But lets not use that excuse to stop me writing. I have been given power lets not waste it! There will be no stupid wasted words or alphabets fluttering around the blog entry, No sir-rey. No endless tapping of the keyboard just cause I like the feel of the thing. Not at all. Just facts, straight from the fact file straight into your eyes! I’m in your eyes I’m all about… DON’T LOOK AT ME!!!
Ah you have read on. A disobedient one you be. I like that!
Just proper blog stuff and a date! I’ll start with a date, and that date be
Thirsday 15th October 2009
And a Title
THE LOST DAY
And a Picture
This is a good start!
Pretty pleased with myself!
I Have called this ‘the lost day’ because I cannot possibly reveal what happened today and why I was left writing the blog.
So that’s it……..
I can’t reveal more.
What?
You seem to be pushing me….
Well OK maybe we found out that my air mattress had sprung a leak in the night and all the air had gone and I was left roughing it on the cold uncomfortable floor! Apart from that nothing else happened!
Although there was unlimited wireless access at the campsite so I proceeded to download a lot of stuff we’ll never watch, Alice went a bit purple with rage but amused herself by bringing a moth back to life like E. (fecking) T. then proceeded to take pictures of it. We didn’t leave till mid day but then nothing else happened!
Whats that?
What happened after?
Well OK we drove to Bairnsdale, and when trying to buy a glue fix pack for the airbed we got carried away and bought two hydration systems and then had an unsuccessful attempt to fix air bed so went to a place called Lakes entrance for a long walk to test the hydration packs, just in time for it to start pouring with rain and lightening and thunder and cats and everything! So that happened, But that’s it then!!! Nothing else happened. Nope.
Well apart from we checked in to Eastern beach campsite in the rain and found there was no shelter except the laundry room because they were re building the campers kitchen and rec room. This made Alice have a little cry but I cheered because I realized there was more free internet.
Apart from that nothing else happened, it was a very dull and normal day and don’t let any police report tell you otherwise.
Not sure we needed a blog post reporting that nothing happened but oh well. Nothing more to see here.
Move along please sir… move along.
All our love Gareth and Alice. Xx
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
p.s. Had creamy bacon and potato soup for dinner then went to bed. Alice slept on the flat air bed.
Alice:
Thanks for that Gareth
Friday 16th October 2009
Got up at a respectable time and headed down to 90 mile beach for a walk in the drizzle! Lovely beach, very long! Probably the longest beach we’ve ever been on, and we’ve been on some pretty long beaches!
We left Lakes Entrance after our walk and decided to head up to New South Wales in the hope of some warmer weather. Stopped at a place called Orbost on the way where it turns out our good friend Wally has a little bakery.
So we lunched well on Wally’s meaty pie’s and got back on the road again, where we crossed the border into New South Wales heading towards Canberra and Sydney! This is where we will leave you salivating in anticipation. Catch up with you next time.
Much Love Alice and Gareth xxxxx
12 comments:
(TYPED IN A PRETENTIOUS AMERICAN ACCENT)
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I. J.U.S.T. D.I.D. A. C.A.L.C.U.L.A.T.I.O.N. T.O. W.O.R.K. O.U.T. H.O.W. B.A.D. T.H.I.S. B.L.O.G. I.S. N.O.W. A.N.D. M.Y. C.A.L.C.U.L.A.T.O.R. B.L.E.W. U.P. B.E.C.A.U.S.E. I.T. C.O.U.L.D.N.T. C.O.P.E. .W.I.T.H H.O.W. B.A.D. I.T. I.S. (A.N.D. I.T.S. A. R.E.A.L.L.Y. G.O.O.D. C.A.L.C.U.L.A.T.O.R.)
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P.R.O.F.E.S.S.O.R. H.
Hey fans!!! Its Bloghead here!!!
Garf, Alice, I'm afraid i'm going to have to agree with my learned friend Stevie H. This blog is getting worse. Only last week at Blogschool this blog was used in a blogging class to demonstrate how not to blog (Blogman can vouch for this as he was sat next to me).
Good news though, the class came up with a few suggestions as to how to improve the blog:
- don't let Alice write anything;
- no pictures; and
- limit the blog to a brief description of how you travelled to and from places.
All the best!
Bloghead
Oh, that's embarrassing, the wombat is in this post. Never mind.
Mah - why did you sleep on the flat air bed? Hasn't that giant you're travelling with got enough hair to make a nest out of?
Love you both,
xxxx
p.s. Josh says he doesn't love you, but he likes spending time with you.
Hi Gareth! Mum here. Just to let you know the papers have come through to revoke the adoption and transfer you back to your biological parents - Brian Blessed and some woman with big ears and thumbs (can't remember her name). Me and your dad have signed them so just need your signature and then we're done. Where should I send them to?
Mum (for a bit longer!)
I agree with Bloghead. It's basic blog theory - no pictures, and no long prose. Just a quick summary of travel logistics will suffice. Good news about your parents Gareth - you'll be better off back with your own.
By the way, Alice and Gareth are now blocked from following my Blog - I just didn't feel they knew enough about blogging to be able to follow my lead. I only keep the best students and they just weren't up to the challenge. If this Blog improves I may review my decision.
Dad here I am really confused now as I find I have two wives and because you do not blog chronologically consistently (say that with EFES swilling about inside you) and I keep finding that you are going backwards in time.
Please stay in touch in a correct time-frame and send me back my real wife as the one sat next to me is not smiling at me like she normally does.
Keep enjoying your backwards trip and stay safe from gigantic bats (true definition of 'wombat').
Okay, so you've found me out. I've been running a secret antipodean enterprise for some years but it's just a hobby, honestly and there are definitely no profits. The whole point of the game is to achieve break-even in every single financial year. If I do get it wrong and accidentally make a bit I have an automated donation to wombat preservation charities. I'm definitely not a multi-millionaire and what that Queensland magazine said was an absolute lie. The Duke of Westminster is way out of my league. Most of all, the rumour that I started the fashion for writing travel blogs in order to boost lap-top sales is simply malicious and I'll sue anyone who repeats it in the courts of every continent.
Mind the ticks and trams and all other hazards beginning with t and having four letters. Tents for, instance. Tiles, tanks, tarts, tusks (especially if attached to charging elephants - and don't say it. They have rabbits and camels so I'll bet there are elephants too. Thus the Australian saying "The elephant in the bush" - used when there's not an unacknowledged big issue.) Thuds (especially if the footfalls of approaching elephants), turns (funny variety) and talks - easily the most dangerous of all.
Stevie H: Maybe you shouldn't spend so much time worrying about breaking your best calculator. The best way I find to calm down is to go out and take a long walk. Get some fresh air and stretch those legs! Just thought... If I enter you without your permission, am I a r@pist or a h@cker?
Bloghead: Hope you and blogman aren't making out behind the bike sheds at blog school!
Roz: Couldn't work out Josh's anagram? You'll have to give us a clue. Alice will be comfortable as soon as I grow my beard back. I'm like Samson, but the more hair I grow the comfier I become. I'm like the friking love child of chewbacca and his duvet.
Josh: I like spending time with you too. Stevie H once wrote a book... It was about time. I think he called it "Love in the Time of Cholera". Read it. I think it will tell you a lot about our relationship.
Blogman: How dare you block me. I am thus angered. I think the lack of followers on your site speaks volumes. If you just go about blocking people who have made the most comments on your site, your blog ranking will be slow to grow. Great site though! Shame I can't be part of it.
Real Dad and Real Mum: As said before always read the blogs backwards. Also, if enough EFES is consumed you may start to understand the blog. Fair game!
Fake Dad and Fake Mum: Hello, will be good to meet up with you after all this time. Prepare yourself for the worsest!
Future Mum and Dad (aka. Dick Smith and Heather): You'll be hearing from my lawyers regarding backdated pocket moneys and free electronic equipment. I have thought of "two" more things to avoid begining with T and having 4 leters Test-Ties.
Hi Gareth and Alice!!!!
Sorry I haven't been following your blog until now but have been really busy at work. I have now caught up and read them all though. Sounds like you are having an amazing time and the pictures are great. Keep up the good work! The blog is great!
Anyway, really miss you both and looking forward to catching up with you when you get back!
Andrew
Objection. I think this blog is becoming rather dickist.
Hey Andrew,
Its the Gareth out of Alice and Gareth here.
Good to see you're on the blog and defending our blogging honour.
Its been a real struggle sometimes to write a blog to such high standards when you have two top graduate blogger school bloggers aka. blogman and bloghead on your case, who then bring steven hawkings and all the other steven hawkings' from his other dimensions into the mix. I put a theme tune in the next blog just for you! I'm guessing steven, blogman, and bloghead will hate this.
Gareth
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