Great Ocean Road!

We stayed in Adelaide, which is nice in a small, slightly boring way. They have lots of markets and stalls, and run trams and roadworks. Their botanic gardens are nice, but have next to no natives - just one little corner with an assortment of flowers and shrubs. We didn't even see a Sturts Desert Pea.

The next day we drove to Warrnambool via Mt Gambier, stayed with some friends and walked along the breakwater where we saw a seal frolicking in the water! Unfortunately no camera except my phone but it was a total highlight. The next day...

London Bridge

The bridge used to connect up to the mainland, but it fell down in the 90s. A couple of people got stuck and were rescued by helicopter. 

The grotto. It's hidden in the bottom of the hole, but it's super nice.

There were so many people at the Twelve Apostles. I personally think that they are among the least interesting of the things to see, but if you drive the great ocean road you have to look at them.

Then we went to Melbourne, stayed with some other friends, then to Goulburn and home on Christmas eve.

This is Grandfather in Goulburn, sitting in his chair, reading his newspaper. 

The Nullarbor and Bight

There are no trees. See?

It's times like this I wish I'm a geologist. Also, I regret not wearing a hat that day.

We stayed in Eucla near the WA/SA border, they have a swimming pool and a pond with frogs. Then we went to Streaky Bay (so called because the water in the bay is streaky).

It's a bit streaky. The hotel was nice and they had a delicious watermelon and feta cheese salad in their salad bar. 

Next time, great ocean road! I should have worn a hat that day as well.

The whale skeleton and esperance

I forgot to put the picture if the whale skeleton in last time.

We got to Esperance late due to whale world being an all morning thing, but we drove around the cliffs and went for a walk.

The water was so blue, bluer than the pictures really show.

Staying in esperance was hot and I didn't sleep well. The next day we drove to Eucla near the SA border, nothing happened except lots of frogs in the pond. (Eucla has a pond!) I didn't take photos of those frogs, but here's one that Matt nearly sat on at whale world. They were pretty much the same anyway.

Roadtrip part 2

When we got to Albany, we climbed a mountain with some views and a good walk.

Views of Albany and the sea mostly. Also, Albany has a rock shaped like a dog. They call it dog rock.

See? Dog rock. 

The next day we went to whale world. They have a steam boat that was actually used as a whaling boat and you can walk all over it. It's rather cramped and interesting. 

And there were whale skeletons. This one is a Pygmy blue whale.

On the way we saw a rock formation. Neither of us remember it's name, the bridge or something. There was also a blowhole but it wasn't blowing.

Next time, Esperance, and possibly some other things.

Beginning of Roadtrip

I'm in Adelaide! I did plan on posting stuff earlier, but I kept getting tired or having no internet. So now I need to summarise a week! I won't though, I'll start off and do some more later when... it's later.

On Saturday I filled up my car. It all fitted! Hooray! Then we went to Busselton to hang with the sister, stayed there Sunday. Then Albany via the treetop walk!

Us on a tower

Treetops. Matt has a good hat.

You can also walk round the bottoms of the trees, and through some of them.

Next time of Roadtrip... Whale World and Esperance!

Rottnest Island

On Friday we caught the ferry to Rottnest. We climbed a lighthouse which had great views.

You can see Perth city in the background. 

Then we went to a beach and jumped off a rock.

Then we walked to the old army barracks.

I had another swim, we looked inside the chapel, saw a peacock and caught the ferry home. 

Leaving work

Today was my last day. Same strange experience as for church really. I kept forgetting that I'm not coming back. I pulled all the rubbish from my locker, and removed the decorations. They all have memories.

My two 'gold stars,' a tiny gift label, and some inexplicably beautiful packing material, artfully cut out and stuck to my door by Soren.

We all went out for Christmas dinner last Saturday, good food, better company. It will probably have to suffice for a farewell.

There were fireworks too! Going out with a bang...