http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healesville,_Victoria
through the Dandenong ranges http://www.experiencethedandenongs.com.au/
I had never given coming to these places a second thought but our travels have taken us through back roads and off the beaten track this time, through some of the most beautiful landscape we have ever experienced.
The highlight of my day yesterday was another tick from my bucket list - PUFFING BILLY at Belgrave in the Dandenong ranges - it was pure magic - the laughter of kids - adults and children with their bodies wrapped through barriers on the train carriages and their feet hanging over the sides - we were waiting for an OH&S officer to poke their head through and tell everyone to get behind the barriers but it didn't happen - it was such fun.............we took the one hour trip (two hours return) from Belgrave to Lakeside - I probably should have taken an extra layer of clothing and a sandwich and if I were to return with my grandkids I would be better prepared and take in the longer journey - everyone was so happy on the trip with smiles from one side of their face to the other. Like the tram ride at Portland, this project is community run by volunteers and there were masses of them - all dressed in their railway uniforms and our comment was 'what a way to spend your retirement years' bringing happiness to so many people - it was a beautiful experience.
And then Don surprised me....he set the navman to a place that I love...it is my birthday today and my present is a re-visit to the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island....
We have booked back in to the caravan park at Cowes - this caravan park is the only park that I know of that hasn't given away their prime spots to permanents! Our site is right on the Bay and the permanents are relegated to the back blocks - yeh! The Island is alive and Cowes is humming - the main street this morning was alive with people from Melbourne and other parts of Victoria who are on their last weekend of holidays before returning to school on Monday and yes....we drove out to the Penguin colony to book in for tonight - we have VIP tickets which entitle us to count the penguins with a ranger and we have front row seats to watch these little fellows emerge from the water to take up the overnight stay in their burrows - you truly must visit
http://www.visitphillipisland.com/listing/penguin-parade/
http://www.visitphillipisland.com/category/explore/destinations/cowes/
And so tomorrow?
We have Donna and her family returning to live in Canberra and we are starting our return trip home. We have travelled from one side of the country to the other and back again in under 6 weeks - it has been non-stop - we have seen some wonderful places and met some interesting people - we are still married despite several differences in opinions - we have come to the conclusion that there are caravan parks which are taking funds under false pretences and we have stayed at others that have exceeded our expectations - not in the facilities they provide but in the service and friendliness of their staff and the price they charge - our overnight stays on the Nullabor were enjoyable for me and there is no way known I would stay in some of the "motels" along that route -
I also believe that if caravan parks are to survive they have got to lift their game and cater for those of us - and it's the majority - in our age category who are travelling with our family pet - our little Millie is a part of our family and the income that is being lost by parks because they don't put in a leash free area or at least allow pets on leads is huge - free stays will become more prevalent and caravan parks will ask why they are not getting the custom.
It has been a relatively inexpensive holiday with our major expense obviously being fuel - the BT50 has performed beyond Don's expectations and he is happy with the fuel consumption. The van has been comfortable and the shower and the toilet ? Well how did people ever cope without them????
We both now feel more able to go back to our business and talk about our experience and advise regarding so many of the products we sell....it is an area of our business which Garth wishes to grow and expand and we are happy to support him with his dream. For those of you who have followed our journey from Day 1 - thank you for joining us on the journey and we look forward to serving you soon,
Cheers.
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