Home Too Long

We are planning the next trip, starting early in February, to see South East Victoria.
In our usual way, we have a general idea about where we are going, but no fixed plans, if we like where we are we stay a bit longer and when we are ready we move on. Life is tough, but someone has to do it.

Doves

Back home early in time for lunch. The Spotted necked Turtle Dove chicks are doing well, see pic. The nest is in the bush by the front door so we have to be careful to avoid frightening the parents away. We put some seed down and it went within half an hour, so it looks like mum and dad are still around.

Keith

Back in SA, at Keith. We probably could have got home, but that would mean unpacking in the dark, and the parked cars in the street would make putting the van away difficult.
The Fyans Lake people said they have been in drought for 12 years; the lake is about 100 metres from the bottom of the boat ramp, see pic. Lake Lonsdale, about 5 Km away is a paddock! A lake near the highway had signs for boat ramps and swimming areas, but there was no water, just grass. It will take a lot of rain to get this area back to normal.

Northern Grampians

Touring round the northern Grampians, we came across a goanna that ran across the road and up the tree, see pic. I had to jiggle the settings in Photoshop as the goanna was almost invisible against the tree.
The day was spent looking at Hollow Mountain, driving down tracks with an Emu family running in front of us, kangaroos leaping out from the bush and lots of birds everywhere.
Got to start for home today, not sure where we will be tonight.

Corellas

Great day climbing to the Pinnacle above Halls Gap, via the Grand Canyon. Not quite as big as the American one, but still spectacular. Picture shows us halfway up taking a breather in the shade.
Last night had us in a bit of a state. We were relaxing in the annex when we heard several shot gun shots. Panic at first but then we realised someone was shooting at the thousands of Corellas in the trees. They kept it up for a while and when I heard pellets landing I thought it was time to call the police. The guy across the road told me it was an official cull and they were licensed shooters. We should have been told about the cull, but somehow they missed us, and the shooters should have been told not to drop the shot on the caravan park. They were not very good shots anyway as with the sky full of Corellas, three shots only dropped two birds!

Grampians

We left Portland early on Monday because the site we were on had been booked by someone.
We went to the Grampians and stayed at Lake Fyans, just a short drive out of Halls Gap. In the afternoon we looked at the McKenzie Falls, quite a steep climb down 200 or so steps to get to the bottom, but worth the effort. See photo.

Today we will be going on more walks, not sure where but the Wonderland Grand Canyon walk looks favourite.

Portland Trials

Saturday was cold, wet and windy with no passes in the UD and UDX classes for Keith, but Kathy had some pass in CCD and Novice. We had dinner at the Royal Hotel with the club and over ate until we could not move - fabulous food.
Sunday had better weather, less rain, less wind but still cold. Pic shows Kathy judging Allan and Wooffey in the Open class. Keith had Agility, with some passes to make the weekend worthwhile.
Tonight we will be at the local RSL for dinner with the other judges and some of the Vic competitors.