Random Thoughts Continued

Hello once again. Some observations before my next trip to the NT in April....

Crime
Crime seems to be really bad in Melbourne but doesn't compare to Albury: assaults, robberies, ram raids, arson, car chases, nearly everyday. The latest one was a burglar who stole 25 collectable Monopoly sets. I am not sure whether NSW police aren't particularly good at catching criminals or the crooks from Wodonga are whipping across the border and wreaking havoc.

Public Transport
My top three most boring topics of conversation heard on public transport is currently as follows:
1. Personal relationships
2. Train spotting
3. Weightlifting

On my way back from Mount Hotham on the bus a man came on carrying a camouflage umbrella, wearing a camouflage jacket with khaki coloured gloves (this was all on a warm, sunny day). I am not sure whether he suffered from a skin condition requiring the wearing of camouflage or he was just a local personality.

Cycling
As if there are not enough hazards for cyclists with roaming dogs, magpies, kangaroos, echidnas, snakes, fallen trees and other cyclists, now we are being shot at. I am sure you have seen the story about the shooting on the rail trail between Myrtleford and Everton. Note that it was near Myrtleford.  

TV
I think that because there are so many, competing, food programmes, they are beginning to run out of recepies. The other day I saw someone make a quadruple burger with four different types of meat. It more resembled a tower than a burger. 
I also saw on the news a story about a woman who was shot. They interviewed someone who said he heard a woman screaming so he just turned up the TV volume, later he added that he thought someone was watching a horror movie - as you do.

U2
I don't normally listen to U2 but their latest album was a free (and apparently) automatic download on iTunes. They must be getting desperate. Anyway, I accidentally listened to one of their songs which caught my attention as it had the words "you have a face not spoilt by beauty". I took that sarcastically, perhaps it's just me.

New Blog
I have started a new (serious) blog which will only be of interest to a small number of you out there! It's called Childcare Regulation in Australia. It will  be a public blog and if you want to receive it you will need to subscribe to it via the blog. I have made only one post, which simply explains the purpose of the blog. Click here for the blog. It is intended to support the book I am writing on childcare regulation which will be published after the legislative changes come into effect in October 2017. 

And finally, some local pictures... 

Sunset over my backyard

Morses Creek, Bright

Ovens River, Cherry Walk, Bright

Ovens River, Canyon Walk, Bright

Mount Hotham - Part 3

Hello again, did the Cobungra Ditch walk today. It follows an old water race used for gold mining in the 1890s so it was generally flat but it was a long walk. It finished at the Cobingra Diggings site, which includes the old Brandy Creek mine. I didn't come across anyone except a family of cockatoos that were feeding in the trees. Although when I was coming back through Mt Hotham village an old man drove past me holding a phone in one hand, with which he appeared to be videoing, and shouting something unintelligible. So now I will feature on some knucklehead's video - lucky I was wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, so it could be anyone.

That concludes my stay at Mt Hotham - I return to Bright on the bus in the morning. I have been really lucky with the weather - the last two days have been predominantly sunny and left the for walking. Hasn't really been a lot of tourists up here but there are a lot of different workers preparing the place for the upcoming snow season. That's a pity as the scenery is great and the walks developed around Mt Hotham are excellent. I recommend it!

Some final pictures...

Mount Hotham - Part 2

Hello, did the Huts Walk today which visits some of the huts near Hotham: Derrick Hur (a ski hut), Spargo's Hut (an old gold prospector's hut) and the Silver Brumby Hut (a replica hut). The weather is warmer today, 12 this morning and now it's 17 but a bit more cloud about. Only walkers I came across today was a school group who had an ill child who was slowing down the group. I don't know what they were going to do as they are here until Friday. I haven't heard any rescue helicopters. Also lots of grasshoppers around today - we might be having a locust plague.

Anyway some pictures.....

Mount Hotham - Part 1

Hello, up at Mount Hotham again this year but not camping this time but staying in an apartment and doing day walks instead. Just as well as it's very cold here - was only 5 degrees at 9am this morning with a fresh wind as well. I came up yesterday on the Bright-Omeo bus and got dropped virtually at the front door.

Walked along the Machinery Spur track - via Mount Loch - today, about 15km of undulating track. Although it was cold it was, eventually, clear and sunny. Spectacular views towards Mount Buffalo and Mount Feathertop - as you will see from the photos below. There were a few walkers around and some mountain bikers torturing themselves on the rough track. I also came across a lost walker. She was on her way to Derrick Hut and took the wrong turn, going left instead of right at a trail junction. I asked her if she saw the big sign, and she said she saw no sign (a picture of the sign is below). I think she needs glasses.

Well anyway the pictures...

The trip up to Hotham (from the bus)...

Machinery spur track via Mt Loch (the "mountain" with the cairn)...