Hello, on day 2 from a very windy Dinner Plain. Today's walks formed a loop around Dinner Plain. Highlights were great views from Precipice Plain back towards Mount Tabletop (yesterday's walk) and the pretty Carmichael Falls.
27 Feb 2018
Dinner Plain: Mt Tabletop
Hello, up here at Dinner Plain staying in an apartment this week while I do a number of day walks. Today's walk was to Mount Tabletop, a peak I was wanting to do for a while as it is the very prominent flat top mountain you can see from the Mt Hotham road. It didn't disappoint with spectacular views to Mount Hotham and Mount Feathertop (see pictures below).
I am staying in a two storey apartment - which is a lot cheaper than during the winter time! Has all you need, including organic soap which I think is supposed to contain Lemon Myrtle and Oatmeal but appears to have gravel in it. One thing for sure the tiny bar will last me the week as it's that hard. On the bus trip up here, saw a real estate agent sign in front of a house with the price on it. They must be really desperate. Looked like a good deal - from the bus - but I bet you could get a better one.
Anyway, some other observations...
Tourist Drivers
I see from the TV news that tourists driving on the wrong side of the road has become an issue here. It used to be these dumb tourists went to NZ as it's been a problem there for years.
Local Products
An update on my last blog: the post office is also selling kangaroo joey poo chocolate.
Winter Olympics
I saw some ice hockey but I don't like it too much as the puck flies around to fast but I saw women's ice hockey for the first time and it was quite entertaining. Probably because they were trying to pass and score goals rather than pin their opponents to the wall and assault them, which appears to be the main objective of the men's game. The Russians (also known as the Olympic Athletes from Russia) had mixed results, they won quite a number of medals, 17, but their positive doping tests only tallied 2 but I guess it was their "clean" athletes that attended the games. But it has made it more competitive. One thing other athletes have learned is always put in 100% effort even for placings outside the top three because if a Russian is ahead of you, you might pick up a medal later.
Warning
Don't visit anywhere I have been recently. Following my visit to NSW last year, one person drowned at the beach I walked across and a shark attacked a person at another bay I visited (which apparently is unusual for that location).
The pictures...
I am staying in a two storey apartment - which is a lot cheaper than during the winter time! Has all you need, including organic soap which I think is supposed to contain Lemon Myrtle and Oatmeal but appears to have gravel in it. One thing for sure the tiny bar will last me the week as it's that hard. On the bus trip up here, saw a real estate agent sign in front of a house with the price on it. They must be really desperate. Looked like a good deal - from the bus - but I bet you could get a better one.
Anyway, some other observations...
Tourist Drivers
I see from the TV news that tourists driving on the wrong side of the road has become an issue here. It used to be these dumb tourists went to NZ as it's been a problem there for years.
Local Products
An update on my last blog: the post office is also selling kangaroo joey poo chocolate.
Winter Olympics
I saw some ice hockey but I don't like it too much as the puck flies around to fast but I saw women's ice hockey for the first time and it was quite entertaining. Probably because they were trying to pass and score goals rather than pin their opponents to the wall and assault them, which appears to be the main objective of the men's game. The Russians (also known as the Olympic Athletes from Russia) had mixed results, they won quite a number of medals, 17, but their positive doping tests only tallied 2 but I guess it was their "clean" athletes that attended the games. But it has made it more competitive. One thing other athletes have learned is always put in 100% effort even for placings outside the top three because if a Russian is ahead of you, you might pick up a medal later.
Warning
Don't visit anywhere I have been recently. Following my visit to NSW last year, one person drowned at the beach I walked across and a shark attacked a person at another bay I visited (which apparently is unusual for that location).
The pictures...
19 Feb 2018
Brighter Days
Hello, the paragliding world cup is being held here in Bright, and I have some pictures from my backyard, below (you will have to squint to see the paragliders), And here are some observations including from my recent trips to Melbourne, mainly to see the soccer (pictures also below):
Local Developments
The local mechanic's garage here in Bright has now become come a distillery and roastery. I am not sure whether that was a change in business direction for the owner but I don't know whether I would want to drink in an old garage.
On a walk I saw a sign prohibiting smoking on a seat outside an old people's home (see picture below). Personally, I think it's a bit late and pointless to stop them smoking now.
As you probably know, post offices sell all sorts of stuff these days in addition to mail related items. The other day in my local post office I saw Wombat poo chocolate for sale. Now I assume that's actual chocolate shaped like wombat poo. I am not sure who that product is aimed at. If it's at children I don't think it's advisable to teach them wombat poo tastes like chocolate.
I continue to have wildlife issues. A grey native mouse scuttled across my deck the other day. It was either that or a handsome rat. Then there are the daddy long leg spiders which always build up their numbers when I am away. They like to stay in the bedrooms as it's quieter there, they don't seem to like TV.
Public Transport
As I have said repeatedly, travelling to and from Melbourne is always an adventure. On the bus to Wangaratta, there was an older woman that got on the bus that had so much shiny jewellery on she sparkled like a Swarovski crystal display. She also had, apparently, showered in perfume. She had so much of it on, it lowered the oxygen levels in the bus and consequently I was getting increasingly drowsy.
Based on my return train trip, it now appears to be a key selection criteria for conductors that they have a tattoo on the top part of their head. Both conductors had them.
Melbourne
All they seem to be building in Melbourne these days are "luxury apartments". Who is building the hovels?
I spent a bit of time in the city this last visit and based on the shape of one person's ears, I think I saw an elf, a Vulcan or a relative of Yoda. I am not sure which as I only saw him from behind. I was also amazed with the number of young people in the city shopping. Don't they go to school or university and where are they getting the money?
Business also seems to be a bit slow in the city. A barber was offering free beer and a chemist was offering a free meds test. I am not sure whether they intended to test your medicine or test you.
I always get concerned about skinny men with baseball caps carting plastic bags making their way purposefully to the last cubicle in public toilets. Maybe, it's just me.
One of the events I saw in Melbourne was Senior Moments on at the Comedy Theatre. I was one of the youngest there (it was an afternoon session). Based on some of the comments after the show, I don't think some of the attendees anticipated that the show was going to poke fun at them. I would have thought the title of the show would have given it away.
Winter Olympics
I'm a bit disappointed with the TV coverage. Although it is in out time zone, the sports I am interested are on very late. Otherwise all you seem to see is figure skating and aerial skiing. To me figure skating goes on too long, it's almost like a cricket match. And moguls, sorry, I can't pick the difference between a good run and a bad one. It all looks the same to me. At least in luge, bobsled and skeleton you can tell when they have had a bad run; it's when they have ended up upside down.
Off to Dinner Plain next week....
Local Developments
The local mechanic's garage here in Bright has now become come a distillery and roastery. I am not sure whether that was a change in business direction for the owner but I don't know whether I would want to drink in an old garage.
On a walk I saw a sign prohibiting smoking on a seat outside an old people's home (see picture below). Personally, I think it's a bit late and pointless to stop them smoking now.
As you probably know, post offices sell all sorts of stuff these days in addition to mail related items. The other day in my local post office I saw Wombat poo chocolate for sale. Now I assume that's actual chocolate shaped like wombat poo. I am not sure who that product is aimed at. If it's at children I don't think it's advisable to teach them wombat poo tastes like chocolate.
I continue to have wildlife issues. A grey native mouse scuttled across my deck the other day. It was either that or a handsome rat. Then there are the daddy long leg spiders which always build up their numbers when I am away. They like to stay in the bedrooms as it's quieter there, they don't seem to like TV.
Public Transport
As I have said repeatedly, travelling to and from Melbourne is always an adventure. On the bus to Wangaratta, there was an older woman that got on the bus that had so much shiny jewellery on she sparkled like a Swarovski crystal display. She also had, apparently, showered in perfume. She had so much of it on, it lowered the oxygen levels in the bus and consequently I was getting increasingly drowsy.
Based on my return train trip, it now appears to be a key selection criteria for conductors that they have a tattoo on the top part of their head. Both conductors had them.
Melbourne
All they seem to be building in Melbourne these days are "luxury apartments". Who is building the hovels?
I spent a bit of time in the city this last visit and based on the shape of one person's ears, I think I saw an elf, a Vulcan or a relative of Yoda. I am not sure which as I only saw him from behind. I was also amazed with the number of young people in the city shopping. Don't they go to school or university and where are they getting the money?
Business also seems to be a bit slow in the city. A barber was offering free beer and a chemist was offering a free meds test. I am not sure whether they intended to test your medicine or test you.
I always get concerned about skinny men with baseball caps carting plastic bags making their way purposefully to the last cubicle in public toilets. Maybe, it's just me.
One of the events I saw in Melbourne was Senior Moments on at the Comedy Theatre. I was one of the youngest there (it was an afternoon session). Based on some of the comments after the show, I don't think some of the attendees anticipated that the show was going to poke fun at them. I would have thought the title of the show would have given it away.
Winter Olympics
I'm a bit disappointed with the TV coverage. Although it is in out time zone, the sports I am interested are on very late. Otherwise all you seem to see is figure skating and aerial skiing. To me figure skating goes on too long, it's almost like a cricket match. And moguls, sorry, I can't pick the difference between a good run and a bad one. It all looks the same to me. At least in luge, bobsled and skeleton you can tell when they have had a bad run; it's when they have ended up upside down.
Off to Dinner Plain next week....
7 Feb 2018
Summer Days and Winter Days
Hello, well it has been really hot here recently, then cooled down, now back to temperatures in the mid 30s. Still can't ride my bike because of my finger injury which has sort of healed (it can move now) but still needs a couple of weeks rehabilitation. No trips until the end of the month but I do have some observations (and photos too):
Hoppers Crossing
Always interesting to come back to Melbourne. I saw two people on the train on a 30 degree day wearing woolly hats. I guess they have very sweaty heads. Also installing trampolines in the front yard is now all the rage in the suburbs. I wonder if that is to show off the kid's skills or they didn't want it to blight their backyard. I wonder when they will start building swimming pools in front yards.
On my way to Hoppers Crossing railway station came across a few interesting things. First there was an abandoned bike share bike - 30km away from the nearest rack - that must have been some ride. Then I spotted two neat holes where trees used to be on the nature strip. I think some people just regard nature strips as extensions of plant nurseries - except you can get the plant for free. Also saw a car with the personalised number plate POT4TO. It puzzled me a bit. Did this signify a marijuana user or someone that just loves being pulled over by the police. On the main road I saw a real estate agent sign that declared that the main attraction of the house for sale was its main road exposure. I wonder whether they mean that it is noisy, polluted, and you can't get out of your driveway because of the traffic. The local shops were interesting. It was Australia Day and the Chinese takeaway was showing solidarity by being opened but closed on Monday. Also the pizza shop had a sign declaring "pizza is life". I guess it is if you are literally starving to death, otherwise I think they are overreaching.
Media
The local commercial radio station has had a change of format with the start of the year. Apparently, they think we need Melbourne style breakfast radio with a male and female announcer who have clearly drunk too much coffee talking about rubbish, like one explaining the rules of tennis to the other, eating Doritos. A lot of giggling is apparently required in this format too.
I saw on the TV news a report about the number of people that turned up in the middle of the night to see a huge generator being transported to Port Melbourne. Clearly there are a lot of people with insomnia or nothing better to do with their lives. If you missed it, see the report here.
Fitbit
I got a fitbit because as you get older you think technology will make you fitter. But the ones with a heart rate monitor are a useful way to keep a check on whether you are still alive. Russian hackers are probably watching my every move.
Knucklehead Pastimes
The latest one is goat yoga, which involves doing yoga while goats walk on you. Check out YouTube.
Some photos from my regular Huggins lookout walk, just above Bright...
And finally some great photos from Slovenia (from my cousin Miran). Apparently they have had a bit of snow...
Hoppers Crossing
Always interesting to come back to Melbourne. I saw two people on the train on a 30 degree day wearing woolly hats. I guess they have very sweaty heads. Also installing trampolines in the front yard is now all the rage in the suburbs. I wonder if that is to show off the kid's skills or they didn't want it to blight their backyard. I wonder when they will start building swimming pools in front yards.
On my way to Hoppers Crossing railway station came across a few interesting things. First there was an abandoned bike share bike - 30km away from the nearest rack - that must have been some ride. Then I spotted two neat holes where trees used to be on the nature strip. I think some people just regard nature strips as extensions of plant nurseries - except you can get the plant for free. Also saw a car with the personalised number plate POT4TO. It puzzled me a bit. Did this signify a marijuana user or someone that just loves being pulled over by the police. On the main road I saw a real estate agent sign that declared that the main attraction of the house for sale was its main road exposure. I wonder whether they mean that it is noisy, polluted, and you can't get out of your driveway because of the traffic. The local shops were interesting. It was Australia Day and the Chinese takeaway was showing solidarity by being opened but closed on Monday. Also the pizza shop had a sign declaring "pizza is life". I guess it is if you are literally starving to death, otherwise I think they are overreaching.
Media
The local commercial radio station has had a change of format with the start of the year. Apparently, they think we need Melbourne style breakfast radio with a male and female announcer who have clearly drunk too much coffee talking about rubbish, like one explaining the rules of tennis to the other, eating Doritos. A lot of giggling is apparently required in this format too.
I saw on the TV news a report about the number of people that turned up in the middle of the night to see a huge generator being transported to Port Melbourne. Clearly there are a lot of people with insomnia or nothing better to do with their lives. If you missed it, see the report here.
Fitbit
I got a fitbit because as you get older you think technology will make you fitter. But the ones with a heart rate monitor are a useful way to keep a check on whether you are still alive. Russian hackers are probably watching my every move.
Knucklehead Pastimes
The latest one is goat yoga, which involves doing yoga while goats walk on you. Check out YouTube.
Some photos from my regular Huggins lookout walk, just above Bright...
And finally some great photos from Slovenia (from my cousin Miran). Apparently they have had a bit of snow...
16 Jan 2018
Echuca & Murray River Valley
Hello, went for a weekend trip to Echuca and surrounds, with my friend, to check out the National Parks near there (Barmah NP in Victoria and Murray Valley Regional & NP in NSW) and to eat parmas (which, incidentally, they do very well in Echuca)!
Echuca is a nice place if you like rivers, paddle steamers and beer. I have never been to a place which has so many pubs, many of which are located in close proximity to one another. The hotel accommodation was just acceptable but the owners liked their sleep in as reception didn't open until 9am in the morning. I was also not sure why they decided to locate the fridge and tea making facilities in the bathroom.
On the way there and back I caught the bus from Bendigo. I like Bendigo but people seem to be hanging on to the old fashion of bolts in your face there. On the way back near Shepparton I saw a sign for the chocolate apple factory. Some time ago I queried why no one has come up with the idea of coating apples in chocolate. Well someone has and they have quite a range: http://www.chocolateapplefactory.com.au/chocolateapples/. When I finally got to Wangaratta train station to get my bus to Bright, there was the usual problem with the train being late from Melbourne, meaning the bus had to wait. After we finally left, on the edge of town, we had to turn around and go back to the station to collect some Asian tourists who apparently didn't see the large bus outside the station. That's the problem with groups, if the head sheep is not switched on there can be problems. They got off at Myrtleford. I have seen a number of these groups get off there. I am not sure what sort of scam they are running as I don't see Myrtleford being one of the tourist highlights of North East Victoria. I also had the bonus, on the trip in, of a person listening to music on his ear phones and, what I would describe as, "moaning" along with the music.
Now for some other observations...
Trip to Melbourne
A few weeks ago I went to Melbourne for the soccer etc. On the bus from Bright I noticed a woman get on who appeared to have been delivered by ambulance. Not sure whether the ambulance was outsourcing its work or the ambulance was running a sideline as a taxi. She looked reasonably healthy. On the train from Wangaratta I saw a person with a tablet the size of a small TV. I wonder at what stage these things no longer count as being portable. Also on the train saw someone with a tank top who was so hairy he looked like a moulting bear.
Robots
I suspect one or more of the newsreaders on the ABC are robots. One of them read exactly the same story twice. That's only a mistake a robot would make without knowing it.
Snakes
Usually we don't have much issue with snakes around here but we have recently. The front entrance of the Bright Visitor Centre was closed for a period due to a brown snake sighting. Apparently, the snake was quite territorial as the rear entrance was open as was the cafe next door. A similar snake was also sighted in our street by our new English neighbour. Seemed a bit worried but I have not seen it around, although I have noticed a sharp decline in the reptile population around here.
Medical Centre
I have had another soccer injury (torn tendon in my finger) which required attendance at the local doctor's surgery (I think it's a sign). While I waited I was provided so much entertainment I didn't have to bother reading any of the magazines on offer. There was the woman that was singing along with the radio (even with the commercials); the man with no shoes (he left them outside the door for some reason); and the kid coughing all over the place that wouldn't put on a mask despite the mother's best efforts (she made the whole family put them on but it still didn't work). The doctor sorted him out when he came, asking him why he didn't have his mask on. I also saw a very pregnant nurse or doctor. I guess it's the best place to be if you are pregnant.
Train Tirade
Our train line (Albury - Melbourne) is the worst in Victoria. One day the train was late because of a signal failure as a result of a storm a few days earlier. Then some weeks later the signals failed again and the train was delayed 1.5 hours. They didn't say why. Perhaps it was too sunny? They even cancelled a service because a storm was coming and of course when it's hot the train can't run as fast (i.e. slow) as they usually can. It only got worse over the Christmas - New Year period when many trains were replaced by buses because miraculously all the locomotives (known locally as pieces of junk) developed "unforseen" faults. I guess this is in contrast to the foreseen faults they usually suffer from that results in the regular cancellations and delays.
Now some pictures from my trip...
Echuca is a nice place if you like rivers, paddle steamers and beer. I have never been to a place which has so many pubs, many of which are located in close proximity to one another. The hotel accommodation was just acceptable but the owners liked their sleep in as reception didn't open until 9am in the morning. I was also not sure why they decided to locate the fridge and tea making facilities in the bathroom.
On the way there and back I caught the bus from Bendigo. I like Bendigo but people seem to be hanging on to the old fashion of bolts in your face there. On the way back near Shepparton I saw a sign for the chocolate apple factory. Some time ago I queried why no one has come up with the idea of coating apples in chocolate. Well someone has and they have quite a range: http://www.chocolateapplefactory.com.au/chocolateapples/. When I finally got to Wangaratta train station to get my bus to Bright, there was the usual problem with the train being late from Melbourne, meaning the bus had to wait. After we finally left, on the edge of town, we had to turn around and go back to the station to collect some Asian tourists who apparently didn't see the large bus outside the station. That's the problem with groups, if the head sheep is not switched on there can be problems. They got off at Myrtleford. I have seen a number of these groups get off there. I am not sure what sort of scam they are running as I don't see Myrtleford being one of the tourist highlights of North East Victoria. I also had the bonus, on the trip in, of a person listening to music on his ear phones and, what I would describe as, "moaning" along with the music.
Now for some other observations...
Trip to Melbourne
A few weeks ago I went to Melbourne for the soccer etc. On the bus from Bright I noticed a woman get on who appeared to have been delivered by ambulance. Not sure whether the ambulance was outsourcing its work or the ambulance was running a sideline as a taxi. She looked reasonably healthy. On the train from Wangaratta I saw a person with a tablet the size of a small TV. I wonder at what stage these things no longer count as being portable. Also on the train saw someone with a tank top who was so hairy he looked like a moulting bear.
Robots
I suspect one or more of the newsreaders on the ABC are robots. One of them read exactly the same story twice. That's only a mistake a robot would make without knowing it.
Snakes
Usually we don't have much issue with snakes around here but we have recently. The front entrance of the Bright Visitor Centre was closed for a period due to a brown snake sighting. Apparently, the snake was quite territorial as the rear entrance was open as was the cafe next door. A similar snake was also sighted in our street by our new English neighbour. Seemed a bit worried but I have not seen it around, although I have noticed a sharp decline in the reptile population around here.
Medical Centre
I have had another soccer injury (torn tendon in my finger) which required attendance at the local doctor's surgery (I think it's a sign). While I waited I was provided so much entertainment I didn't have to bother reading any of the magazines on offer. There was the woman that was singing along with the radio (even with the commercials); the man with no shoes (he left them outside the door for some reason); and the kid coughing all over the place that wouldn't put on a mask despite the mother's best efforts (she made the whole family put them on but it still didn't work). The doctor sorted him out when he came, asking him why he didn't have his mask on. I also saw a very pregnant nurse or doctor. I guess it's the best place to be if you are pregnant.
Train Tirade
Our train line (Albury - Melbourne) is the worst in Victoria. One day the train was late because of a signal failure as a result of a storm a few days earlier. Then some weeks later the signals failed again and the train was delayed 1.5 hours. They didn't say why. Perhaps it was too sunny? They even cancelled a service because a storm was coming and of course when it's hot the train can't run as fast (i.e. slow) as they usually can. It only got worse over the Christmas - New Year period when many trains were replaced by buses because miraculously all the locomotives (known locally as pieces of junk) developed "unforseen" faults. I guess this is in contrast to the foreseen faults they usually suffer from that results in the regular cancellations and delays.
Now some pictures from my trip...
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