Australia #3

Wildlife viewing

While we were in Australia, we tried to find an echidna. Unfortunately, we had no luck with that (I did find a couple of porcupines in a tree last week though). But we did spot some other animals.

Of course, Howard went looking for fish. He checked minnow traps in the Hopkins River every single day.

The girls were roped in to hunting for fish.

And we found gudgeon!

Lots of gudgeon!

Lots and lots of gudgeon!

Big gudgeon...

And little gudgeon too. 

 

On the last day, he pickled one. 

In the meantime, I was distracted by smaller creatures....

We tried to find a few quintessential Aussie animals too.

We found a koala in the Framlingham forest! I think there's a joey there. When Imogen and I spotted it, we called out to Paloma and Howard to hurry hurry run run run come and see the koala! I don't know what the rush was... it's obviously not going anywhere any time soon...

On our way up to the Grampians, some emus wandered by...

And then there were a couple of lizardy visitors. 

Oh, and did we mention that we caught a freshwater eel in the Hopkins? Yep, you read that right - an EEL!!!! I don't know if I've ever seen one there before (although Grandpa reports seeing them migrating in herds). 

Paloma was rather smitten...

She even gave the eel a quick little hug. 

As you can imagine, Howard was rather pleased too. 

Paloma didn't like the idea of eating it. 

So our eel friend went back to nature...

Australia #2

THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE....

AT RIVER BEND!

After a few days enjoying the big lights of the city (Geelong), we headed home to the farm. And that's where we stayed for the rest of your vacation. 

Grandpa quickly put Howard to work. 

We found a few moments for relaxing on the beach.

The view from the back door. 

We enjoyed a beautiful sunset dinner from the Back 80 with the lovely Mr Spitty Elyjah. 

Howard spent a lot of time training the girls to search for gudgeon. 

The girls enjoyed being in the river together. 

When the river was slippery and bumpy, they helped one another out. 

In between searching for gudgeon, there was time to gather some "pond scum". 

You can never have too much algae. 

Imogen was delighted to be out in nature every day. 

Grandma and Grandpa were delighted to explore nooks of the farm with us. 

That's me and my dad. 

The view from the top! This is River Bend. 

We tried to get a family photo, but Imogen was more interested in stomping down the hill by herself. 

The uncles take the kids for a ride. 

Grandpa always shears a sheep for us. Paloma took a close look at the action with this photo. 

Imogen explored the shearing shed with Juke.

Paloma and Imogen wait for Grandpa to finish shearing the ram. 

Australia #1

The Journeyers, Back to Australia 

Loading up, buckling in,  and reading the safety features of the Airbus A380. It was one of the seemingly quickest and easiest flights we have made so far. Touch down in Melbourne 14 hours later.

The first week we spent with the Atkins. Paloma and Imogen got to hang out with and spend some wonderful times with their sweet cousins, Rachel and Archie "Rocket" (zooming around in the background)

Here we all are at Serendip Sanctuary checking out kangaroos, emus, brushtail possums, tall spike rush, tussock grass, and...

tawny frogmouths!!

We of course went to the Great Southern Ocean. All our beach attempts this trip were punctuated by overcast skies and blustery wind

Blustery winds, white cheeks and great expanses.

It did not stop us from exploring the beaches, running through the sand and...

...some of us played in the water. note: in the previous photo I am rugged up in a winter sweater.

More to follow. We will be heading to River Bend next...