Day 08 - Friday - Time to go to the high country in Victoria.

Paul has taken the day off and were off to the high country in the alpine region of Victoria.   After a few hours of driving and a quick stop at the Yellorn power station, we stopped for lunch at Mafra then went off road soon after.



We commenced the climb to 1600mtrs. Paul on his BMW bike and me following in Tommy Touareg.…All I can say is what an experience. The scenery, albeit in average weather was breathtaking. 

We arrived at Howitt Plains hut about 4 pm just in time, as Paul was about to get hypothermia as the rain finally soaked in to his gear.

Paul was riding in about 5 degree temperature in and out of rain showers with me in relative comfort at about 23 degrees and dry listening still to the only one cd i brought on the trip. Thanks George Michael…..( Sorry Roy. i know you would be very disappointed)

Paul warming his hands in Tommy Touareg

We set up camp, built a fire and Paul cooked jaffles for dinner. We then settled down for the night.  I felt like we were in the clouds, which we actually were. 

Only a few other campers here who are ok with the conditions.

Overnight the weather dropped to 3 degrees.   I tried  to  sleep in my tent, wearing thermals, ( lucky i brought those ) a jacket and a balaclava which assisted in keeping me warm. 

I just felt cold all night as the sleeping bag was too small for me.. Hence it wasn’t a good nights sleep for me at all. So much for roughing it.

Not sure why Paul owns such a Balaclava but I'm not about to ask. It kept me warm on a very cold night.

Paul says he slept well in his tent as he was exhausted which i understand.

A well earned charddy

My full face balaclava that kept me warm overnight. As there were hunters with guns in the area, i took it off when outside of my tent for the obvious reasons…...

Convenient slide out table built into the Touareg

Master chef making Jaffles on the fire

Jay bear enjoying the journey

Paul was too cold to get out of bed

I was up early and made a successful camp fire out of the wet timber…..Im learning

Day 7 - Thursday - A day in Springvale

So the rain is coming to an end. Its time to empty the car and repack it so its more functional to access the equipment long term. Over time I have gathered what works and what doesn't.

Ive got rid of the big Queen size mattress off the roof,  to be replaced by smaller ones that fit in the car.

Ive bought a fridge slide so I can access food easier and installed it by myself.  Im such a trade   



Paul taught me to jack up the car and change a wheel, bit different for a Touareg than a standard car so I'm glad I had the practice…



We tested the step that attaches to the wheel to access the roof as well, and fixed potential damage to the Rim that would have been caused by it if Paul wasnt so observant.

As Paul says...its all about planning so nothing is new on the day when it happens.

Thanks Paul.

The new Sattelite phone arrived and I learnt how to use it.  You can call me on it if you want at normal phone rates. I cant call you as satellite calls are VERY expensive. This might keep me safe in times of need.


Brendan my old flatmate from Sydney came over for dinner with Paul and I at the local hotel called the Waltzing Matilda. 

A nice night with good friends. Thanks guys … .with a funny exit..….

Day 6 - Wednesday - Croydon- Mooroolbark - Back to where I spent my younger years

Today with the rain still pouring I drove back to my first home where I lived until I was 13.

I have early memories of our street (which was dirt) and the milkman's draft horse ..a Clydsdale moving up the street. If the horse got too far ahead, the milkman would whistle and the horse would stop awaiting his next command.  Of course the street got bitumen over the years we were there and the trees have since grown.

Today the street is the much the same. Some old houses have, gone replaced with new buildings and developers are buying and building new homes in the back yards of existing houses. Our back yards where large.

40 years since I left, fortunately our old house still stands, my mates Dougs is still there, ( although with a house in his back yard) and the local milk bar is down the road.  Unfortunately my State school is no longer, which appears to be recently sold to developers........

Todd Court Croydon

The Hoult house...1962 to 1974

Todd Court Croydon

What was Mooroolbark Primary school

The side service road to the five ways off Lincoln Road

The Five Ways Milk Bar

The Drew House

Day 5 - Tuesday - Too much rain off to Melbourne

Rain in Merimbula

I spent a wet morning in Merimbula shopping.  I appreciate the things we take for granted living in a big city when I cant buy a usb cable for my camera in this town. I was told to go to Bega.

A huge low is sitting over Victoria so not much point planning camping. I really wanted to stop in the national park at Mallacootta near the Victorian border and setup the tent for the first time but not so.  I have heaps of time and we need the rain so no worries.

I spent 7 hours driving through forests and beautiful country side, (even in the rain) today to get to Melbourne. 
Taking the Princes highway, with hardly any traffic is so enjoyable driving

Got to cross the snowy river too..




                     Staying with Paul for a few days and off to the Victorian high country with him for the weekend.

Interesting I passed my old cyclist friend peddling in the downpour today at least 50k to the next town. I wanted to pull over and offer him a lift but no room for his bike. 


I suppose he is on his journey and I am on mine. So be it.......

Day 4 - Monday - Eden to see the whales

Up early and off to see the whales by a renown operator in a guarantee to see tour.

Unfortunately the weather was crap...rain and too rough to go out of the bay.

20 of us went out but the run was cancelled an hour into it.

Back to the harbour and no one had to pay...an operator with standards...yay Cat Barloo tours at the harbour in Eden. Call first. Best time to see whales Sept to Nov heading south with their babies

Looked around Eden another beautiful coastal town followed by a tour through the Killer whale museum..

Back to hostel and did a bit of work today while it rained

Rain is here for the next few days.....no dramas I have time on my side..sitting in my hostel today dry (and working as a consultant) thinking about the old guy cycling his 200km who would be wet as,..... I wish him well.

All the Mutton birds flying like crazy. Many die from exhaustion. That must be the ones we see dead on the local beaches

Eden Harbour - Cat Barloo Whale Tours