Last October (2012) we went on a 10-day caravan trip to a lovely place called Lake Grabine. Due to the time of year we chose to visit this spot we (that's two other couples, Ian and mois) were there all by ourselves, which suited us just fine. We explored the area by clambering up Decca Hill, the top of which offered excellent views of the lake below; by walking around the lake and by taking the occasional bike ride. We entertained ourselves by having the odd hit of tennis (very much a hit and giggle affair), by smacking around some golf balls (even more of a hit and giggle affair because the so called golf course was that overgrown that finding any stray golf balls was a huge challenge and sometimes took those who participated 1/2 an hour). The "boys" went out on a small boat in the hope that they might catch some fish. All they managed to bring home, however, was a bag full of carp - yuck!
The best form of entertainment, we soon discovered however, was watching the multitude of kangaroos cross from their sanctuary (a smallish island - which I assumed was not normally cut off from the mainland but was at that time separated by water as the lake was VERY full - over to the mainland and back. Very much to our amazement dozens and dozens of kangaroos went through this strenuous exercise numerous times a day (see video clips below).
The morning after the Easter Weekend we leave for the lovely
caravan park that we discovered last year on our return trip from Tasmania, at
Rutherglen. We look forward to spending a couple of days at the absolutely
gorgeous park in the center of Australia’s oldest wine growing region. Having
discovered a quaint winery called “The Wicked Virgin” (http://www.wickedvirginrutherglen.com.au/)
here last year we make our first stop there and enjoy tasting (and buying) some
excellent wines.
We then move on to some more wine tasting at the better-known
winery called All Saints. Ian, who was already acquainted with this winery from
previous golf trips to Yarrawonga, suggests we have lunch here. What a great
suggestion – we enjoy a lovely couple of hours, overlooking gorgeous
sun-drenched parkland, successfully working our way through the rather
delightful menu. Oh my gosh, I am getting pretty rotund again…..but I am not
going to let that spoil my appetite, at least not whilst travelling.
After this scrumptious interlude we return to the caravan
park. This park, which is pet friendly, is nestled right at the edge of Lake
King.Although only a 3 minute stroll from
the town center, it is as one of the most tranquil parks we’ve thus far encountered.
Ian, who fondly remembers the fish he caught there last year, spends the remainder
of the afternoon fishing and proudly presents me with a couple of large Golden Perch
that, which we also learnt last year, are very good eating fish.
At around 4 pm the owner of the caravan park lights a
bonfire. This attracts many of the park’s visiting Grey Nomads (us included J).
Over numerous drinks we discuss the ins and outs as well as the trials and joys
of Grey Nomading and proceed, over more drinks, to solve all the world’s
problems. Most of us happily stumble back to our homes away from home at about
10pm – eating Ian’s brilliant catch will have to wait till tomorrow!
PS. The Golden Perch, which we devour the following
night, is absolutely delicious!
BUNDANOON BRIGADOON:
After a few enjoyable days at Rutherglen we continue north
and set up camp at Mittagong. We have friends at Bowral with whom we hope to
catch up, and as I recently reconnected with a lovely friend (the very first
flatmate I had after arriving in Australia) and who lives in Kangaroo Valley,
we are also planning a reunion.
When we study the local paper on our first day at Mittagong
we discover that the 36th Annual Highland Gathering (known as the
ultimate Scottish Experience) is scheduled to take place at Bundanoon tomorrow.
As neither of us has ever experienced such an event, we decide to check it out.
The weather, despite the gloomy forecast, is quite acceptable. All the same we
are amazed to see the vast number of visitors at this gathering. Apparently 12,000
– 16,000 Australians make pilgrimage to this event every year. As always I find
myself drawn in immediately by the music, the cheerful colours and the general
hustle and bustle created by large numbers of people. Whilst Ian makes himself
comfortable on a grassy slope, I run around like a mad thing, taking pictures
and shooting video.
Many events are offered that day but those we witness are as
follow:
Individual Pipe Bands (video clip included)
Swordplay – with audience participation
Scottish Fiddler’s Group
Kilted Kiddies Dash (video clip included)
Scottish Highland Dancing (video clip included)
Heavy Weight Caber
Highlander Celtic Rock Band
We have an excellent day. Correction: I have an excellent
day, poor Ian very patiently and silently suffers through yet another shocking
back day.
The next couple of days we catch up with our various
Southern Highland’s friends and enjoy what we do best – more eating and
drinking. I definitely feel some dieting coming on. It’s either that, or buying
a wardrobe full of new clothes.
From Mittagong we travel to Sydney, where we spend some time
with our children and by the time you receive this last post of our first
excellent caravan travel adventure of 2013, we will have arrived back home.
First I'd like to apologise to those of you who are subscribed to receiving the blog entries via email. I've been informed that although you received the entry, the video clips did not come through. If you'd like to view the clips, please go to: http://doingthegreynomadthing.blogspot.com.au/
Now, let me tell you about the rest of our Easter weekend:
MACKENZIE FALLS:
Today, attempting another sightseeing morning, we head for Victoria’s
largest and most majestic waterfall – MacKenzie Falls.Ian who, although starting day with
reasonable mobility, realises as we are walking towards the viewing platform,
that he won’t be able to manage the steep descent to the bottom of the falls.
Although we thoroughly enjoy the view from the platform I decide to join the
throng of people that make their way down the steep steps and must say that the
effort was definitely worth it. The views I get all the way down and, most
certainly the view from the bottom of the falls, is quite spectacular.
STAWALL GIFT:
On Easter Monday we attend the finals of the Stawall Gift.
If you are asking, what the heck is that, you are not the only ignoramus. I had
absolutely no idea what Ian was talking about when he first mentioned it to me.
Apparently an icon of Australian sport, it’s a world’s most famous and
prestigious professional foot races that has been held in all but four years since
1878.
Mr Google tells me that “every Easter thousands of runners and
athletic fans from all over Australia and indeed the world make an annual
pilgrimage to Central Park, the professional running mecca, in the tiny
historic gold-mining town of Stawell” (which is pronounced Stall).
Well, here we are, enjoying the electric atmosphere created
by fierce competition, courtesy of Ian’s wretched back. Aside from attending
the running races at my children’s sport’s carnivals I’ve never been to a
running race and, although not fully appreciating the famous nature of this
particular race, find the experience captivating and rather exciting. Joining
with the rest of the crowd we cheer like crazy as the 20 year old Launceston
sprinter, Andrew Robinson, breaks through the finish line and wins this year’s
Stawall Gift. Apparently Andrew is the first Tasmanian to win the Gift since
1941 and, as you can imagine, he is a happy chappy!
As you can see I've now worked out how to post my little video clips. So here are a few of the Great Western Rodeo 2013 that I reported on in my last blog.
The next one is great but a little long - I still haven't worked out how to edit the video clip length. When I shot the video I kept the camera running because the bull was going ballistic and I thought that this might give you a good idea about what the riders and the Marshalls have to deal with.
It’s been a shocking night. As Ian’s back was giving him
such a hard time he was extremely restless, which means that neither of us get
a great deal of sleep. This, of course, given his ongoing back condition, is
not unusual - what was remarkable, however, was Miss Kiddle’s behaviour in
(what we believe to have been) a direct response to his suffering. Usually she
shares her affections between the two ofus, this time, however, she stuck to him like glue. Before we turned out
the light she sat on his chest, attempting to groom his face, his hair and
whatever else she was able to grab ahold of. After the lights went out she went
straight underneath the doona and squashed up as close to his body as
physically possible. Whilst this was rather restrictive for Ian, who was in
such great discomfort already, it was so incredibly sweet that he didn’t have
the heart to move her out of the way. It seemed like she wanted to look after
him in whatever capacity she was able. She is a much loved and very loving
little creature who, we are sure, thinks of herself as another human member of
the family. Ian has given her a new name - she’s now called his little Night Nurse!
Never one to give up, Ian decides that we must carry on
regardless of his by now extremely limited ability to walk. So we decide to
visit Great Western, a small township that is holding their annual Eastern
Rodeo – an event for which riders come from all over Australia. Because the
Stawall Easter Gift, that attracts tourist from all over the world is also held
on the East weekend, the rodeo is very well attended. As this is the sort of
thing we don’t usually do, it is terribly exciting for both of us.
We are lucky and find a relatively comfy seat on a hay bale
from which we have a pretty good view of the arena and so enjoy, over the next
couple of hours, a number of rather impressive events.
One such event is bronco riding. This is a competition
where cowboys ride unbroken horses that are none too pleased about this and
tend to buck like crazy to get rid of the uninvited guest on their backs. The
cowboy has to stay on the horse for a little while (I’ve forgotten for how long
exactly – but approximately 10 seconds) whilst only allowed to hold on to the
rope with one hand. The other must be raised high. Needless to say most cowboys
get thrown rather unceremoniously well before the allotted time has elapsed. Those
who manage to stay on are honoured with rousing applause.
Another event is bull
riding where the cowboys ride bulls instead of horses. As this is a rather
dangerous undertaking, as the bulls may attack the rider once they’ve shaken
him off, this event requires the help of rodeo clowns. Their job is to distract
the bull, thus helping prevent injury to the competitors. This seems a wild and
crazy competition where the cowboys frequently get hurt. We saw quite a few
guys being targeted by their bull and only narrowly escape being mauled.
Miraculously, only one of the competitors required medical assistance.
Yet another event is team
roping. This is the only event where men and women riders compete together
with the aim to capture and restrain a steer. One rider lassos the running
steer’s horns, while the other rider attempts to lasso the steer's two hind
legs. This requires incredible skill and we are amazed at the number of cowboys
succeeding in this task.
Those we admire most, however, are the Marshalls. These are two guys on horseback who ride along the
competitors. Their job is to steer the horses or bulls away from those cowboys
who’ve fallen off and then guide the horses back into their pens. They also
assist those competitors who’ve succeeded in staying on to transfer mid-ride
from their bucking horses or bulls onto the Marshall’s horses. These guys’
riding skills are awe-inspiring.
Although we’d had a rough start to the day, I am happy to
report that it turned out to be a good one in the end.
Tomorrow we are planning to attend The Stawall Easter Gift. Stay tuned….
PS I'd love to add some video footage of the Rodeo. If anyone knows how I can do this, please let me know!
