Spirit of Tasmania

When we were at Swan Hill we had plans for going along the Alpine Highway and down to Lakes Entrance and then Melbourne and home, but the weather forcast said there was a MASSIVE low coming across Victoria, and that night there was snow in the Alpine highlands, so we decided to go down to Shepperton then book the boat and come home.

Shepperton is quite a nice little town, has some canning factory outlets that we go to. Only 2 hours from Melbourne. It was just as well we booked and arrived home yesterday, as the boat is fully booked for the next 2 weeks!

This is it at Melbourne, before we got on. Tony, of course, had to sneak into the photo.

So it is good to be home, done heaps of washing, but also walked on my own beach here!

Fishing in the Murray River

This is taken at Swan Hill, where we stayed a couple of nights. Where Tony is sitting should be part of the river bed, but the Murray is low, very low. River water gets taken out for irrigation upstream, yet all the vineyards and orchards and towns have green grass and are lush looking, so they haven't got dried up gardens like we have back down in Tasmania!!

Tony managed to catch about 11 fish, but they were all too small so had to be thrown back, except for a couple that Joey ate. She just loves fishing. Even stood with a neighbouring camper when he went down fishing.

I took this photo from our camper, we were camped right on the edge of the grass that went down to the river.

Even at Swan Hill there were still locusts around, flying around like butterflies!

P.S. Joey lost 1/2 kilo in weight while we were away!! Still on a diet though, needs to lose more!

Locusts on the car! And the Murray River

Here as promised is the photo of the front of our 'white' car after going through the first locust plague. After that we covered the inside of the engine with mesh - like everyone else, but still had to wash the front again before returning to Tasmania.

Also the photo of the Murray River from Headings Cliffs lookout - brilliant, isn't it? There was even a picnic/camping spot down on the river here, but we were already camping at Berri.

But there will be artworks coming out of this image!! Yay.

Locusts and possums

Hi everyone,
We are at Swan Hill now, using the most terrible computer, as my sim card died. So posts are going to be intermittant and photos added when I get home.
We had a few nights at Mildura, all on the Murray River, and one night a possum came and ate a whole packet of crumpets from our camper, so there were no crumpets for us that morning!
We have been back in the locust plague - all of us now have mesh on the front of our cars to stop them getting into the air filter and radiator - but what a mess they are on the outside of the car. I also went over a dead kangaroo which splashed up on the underside of camper and car! Yuk.
This keyboard is too difficult to continue on. We are on the banks of the river, getting good photos for paintings, Tony is fishing.
love to all,
Liz

Murray River

I have seen the most beautiful place ever!! We popped into Renmark, from Berri, which is also on the Murray River, then just along was Paringa, a little town, with a sign that said to Headings Cliff. So off we went, found a lovely camping spot right on the river for another time, but coming back we stopped at a lookout, with the most magnificent view of the Murray River. The high red cliffs with the river winding around the corner, magic - so many photos - I will put one on blog when I have my own internet going again (grrr) but am on the caravan parks computer, which is fine.
This area, Riverland, along the Murray River has lush grass, vineyards, lots of roses in the gardens and down the middle of the streets. Renmark particularly is quite picturesque.
Its very windy here today - don't think Tony will go and fish. He put some mesh on the front of the car to stop locusts getting into the engine and air filter!!
Off to Mildura tomorrow. Will stay there a few days. Oh, yes - those who know me will understand - I got a little bag of this red sand to take home for in my paintings!!

Locust plague

Wow, what a day we had!! We left Murray bridge and arrived at Berri yesterday, but on the way we went through the locust plague! They were hitting the windscreen like hail stones, and you could see them on the road, looking just like autumn leaves as they blew up on to the car as you drove along.
When we arrived, the front of the car, and the engine and radiator were covered. I did take a photo to put on here, but I am writing from the caravan park computer, as I just don't seem tobe able to bring up the recharge part of the telstra wireless broadband. So if you don't hear from me for awhile, this is why, I am out of hours!! It gets used up quickly when I put a photo on.
Today we drove into Barmara, to the bakery of course, and then Tony did try fishing in the river across from the caravan park, but the only notable thing that happened was that Joey fell in the river!!

Tomorrow we will pop in to Renmark.

Hans Heysen

This pic is of Hans Heysen's studio that he built at Hahndorf. We visited there this morning, seeing the houses, the garden, the studio, and all around were the gum trees that he painted. Then we went into Hahndorf village to meet up with Tony's sister Di and her husband, Tony and we wandered around again. At this time of year, autumn all the trees are losing their leaves, and are the most brilliant colours.

Tomorrow we leave Murray Bridge and start our way up the Murray River. We will go through Mannum and stop at Berri for a few nights, and there, visit Renmark, Barmara and Loxton. Hopefully Tony will catch some fish - he has just said there is a good bakery at Barmara so gotta go there! I hope to do some painting, or sketching, and lots of walking.

I have also, if I haven't already talked to you, set up a hotmail address that I can write to you through. Its lizart@live.com.au - I think it has the au on it!!

Hahndorf

Hahndorf is a German settled town in the Adelaide hills, and we visited there today to meet up with Tony's mother, aunt and uncle. Tomorrow we go there again to catch up with his sister Di. It is a picturesque little place, especially now in autumn. The leaves are blowing all over the place.
Well, didn't we have fun last night!! Two stray bulldogs wandered the caravan park, setting off all the little dogs in the vans, as they scavanged around. They wanted to get into our camper!! Anyway this morning the dog catcher took them away. So we are tired tonight - Tony is already asleep, as we were awake with all this barking!! Lets home tonight is a quiet night!

Beachport

This is Beachport. The view that I tried, very badly to paint. I wanted to get the red seaweed that is in front of the rocks, but I didn't think of aerial perspective etc - just went ahead and painted! Duur. It is a lovely spot nevertheless!

Port Fairy - settled by Irish whalers from Tassie! How about that!

This is Port Fairy with the boats tied up in the river. We saw a really huge sting ray here when we arrived - at least a metre in length without its tail. Also along the way we have seen eagles and some emus!!

Beachport, Robe and Murray Bridge

From Port Fairy, where Tony didn't catch any fish (!), we then travelled further along the Great Ocean Rd to Beachport. Tony's father was a park ranger here many years ago. It is a typical beachy, seaside town, with a long jetty, lots of fishing boats coming and going,but again no fish were caught!! We had a couple of nights there, I painted a very bad painting from the beach, and then today we moved on.
There always has to be at least one challenge while on holiday, right? And this time it was the rain! Lovely sound on canvas, but not so good when everything is wet and you are trying to pack things away and fold up the camper.So we were somewhat wet by the time we left!!
Yesterday we had also gone for a drive in to Robe which was a bit further up the coast, so today we bypassed that, and had quite a long, boring drive, as it was a grey rainy day. We went past the Coorong, which is basically lakes behind the sand dunes that separate the lakes from the sea, but have lots of wetland birds. But you can't see a whole lot from the car!
So now we are at Murray Bridge. Moths and little flies are the current challenge. Also my main big pain is that I can't email out, can receive emails, but I guess that Outlook Express was not set up propertly to send out emails. So sorry everyone if you are not getting emails from me. I am thinking of you all, and wishing you were here.
I will download and post some more photos later. Tomorrow we are off to Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills to meet up with Tony's mum, aunt and uncle. Next day we catch up with his sister Di and her husband.
Joey has been very good - I thought you would like to know. Till later, love from me!

Liz!!

This photo was taken by 3 year old James, with my camera! pretty good, huh? Not me - but the photo ability of James!!

Annabel and James

Lovely photo. My most gorgeoous friend and daughter-in-law Annabel, so bubbly and vivacious, and precious little James/Jimmy. He is soooo much like Martin's father, and of course a fairer example of Martin.

Tony at the Twelve Apostles

Eleanor (8), Martin, James (3), Katie (10) at Cape Otway.

Martin's Valiant, James in the driving seat! At Apollo Bay

Camping trailer at Martin and Annabel's

katie with rabbit on table and pony

Port Fairy to Beachport

Still having problems sending emails but can receive them! durrr. We are at Beachport now - Tony and Joey have gone out night fishing on the jetty.
when I was in Port Fairy, wandering taking photos, there was an old stone mileage marker in a garden that said "Miles to Belfast" and then I found that Port Fairy was settled by Irish whalers from Tasmania. The lady in the information centre, after me saying about Sue's and my exhibition plans, said they are always looking for exhibitions that are different during their Festival long weekends in June!! So even for Tassie, this seems to be a good subject! wonderful doorways there also.
Then I had a reply from the man in Adelaide wanting a quote on large canvas', but I will have to p;hone him, can't email!! And can't quote till I get home.
The beach is just across the road - load waves crashing on the shore, wind has dropped now thank goodness.

Liz and annabel in the convertible!!

Along the Great ocean Rd, Victoria

The crossing of Bass Strait was calm, thank goodness, and we arrived in Melbourne early, and headed west along the Great OceanRd, till we got to Martin and Annabel's at their Aire Valley Guest House andRestaurant.
Their steep gravel drive was too slippery for the car, and i got stuck so i had to walk up the hill, with Joey in tow, and martin went down and towed the camper up with his 4 wheel drive. We camped up behind the shearing sheds, near the chook house, with horse and Shetland pony around. They also have 2 dogs, 3 guinea pigs, and a rabbit, as well as 3 children. Katie is 10, curly red hair and long and tall like Martin and me. Eleanor is 8, dark hair like Annabel, gorgeous also, and then little James is nearly 4, curly fair hair, just a gorgeous kiddy. They climb trees, ;play with their guinea pigs,a real rural life style.
It was wonderful to see them all. The following day we went to Cape Otway, and on the way we drove slowly to see koalas in the trees. We were in Martin's Valiant convertible which was great for looking up at the koalas.
We then headed on to see the 12 Apostles - rocks jutting out of the sea, but not 12 any more, and now are at Port Fairy.
I will save this now and see how it goes, before writing more, and putting a photo on, as last time I wrote at length and it didn't save. Having trouble with emails also.
So here goes!

Following the Murray River

On Friday April 16, 2010, Tony, little dog Joey and I will leave Primrose Sands for about 4 weeks, to get the Spirit of Tasmania ship from Tasmania to Melbourne.
We will turn left when we get off the boat and head along the Great Ocean Road, towards the mouth of the Murray River, and then follow that inland, until we then drop down into Shepperton, and then head over to the Great Alpine Highway, that will take us down to Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance, and from there, home.
I will keep you all updated as we travel along.
I already have my paints packed in a bin, as I am looking forward to painting the red cliffs of the Murray River, and Tony has his fishing gear already to go.
We have a camper trailer that we will live in while we are away, stopping at caravan parks that take dogs.
So come with us, as we go on holiday.