Lofty mountain ash and other gum trees in the old-growth forest with tree ferns lining the edge of the road.
Younger trees pushing the boundaries of the car park at Melba Gully.
A view through a forestry/logging area deeper into the Otway Ranges.
Kangaroos enjoying a feed on fresh green grass in a clearing on the road into a logging area.
This old bridge formed part of the railway line between Cobden and Camperdown. It can be found on Sadler’s Road, Naroghid.
Most of the rail trail between Camperdown and Timboon can be walked or cycled. It weaves through the outer edge of the town of Cobden, where these pictures were taken.
Lake Bullen Merri is a crater lake just south of Camperdown, Victoria.
You can drive all the way around the lake on local roads, but it is only the southern shore of the lake that is accessible to visitors. It’s popular for picnics, water skiing and boating.
As the sun sets, the hills that surround the lake take on a golden glow, most distinctive in summer and autumn when the grass is dry.
The area is renowned for lakes that have formed in the craters of dormant volcanoes. From the northern ridge of Lake Bullen Merri, you can also see Lake Gnotuk just a little further north, nestled in farmland just south of the township of Camperdown.
Farmland, grassland and gum trees.
The long and winding road… to wide open spaces.
Grassy plains stretch for miles and miles.
Once you get past the grassy country, the dirt is this orange-coloured sandy soil that is typical of remote Australia.
Blue Lake, Mt Gambier, SA
Blue Lake, Mt Gambier, SA
Echuca sits on the Murray River which forms the natural border between Victoria and New South Wales. In its heyday, it was the busiest port in Australia, shipping wool, cotton, timber, wheat and supplies all over the inland regions of three states, until rail took over as the main form of transporting goods because it was faster and more flexible in terms of routes and destinations.
Now, a visit to the Port of Echuca is generally for the purposes of tourism and recreation.
The river has been known to flood to quite epic heights in the past. The markers on these trees give some indication.
The Clydesdales are always a highlight for me. I love these gentle giants, and they’re so photogenic!
Houseboat holidays are enormously popular here. It’s a great way to explore the river and leave the rest of the world behind.
I was the lucky one that was selected for the “additional security check”.
It was probably my bangles, which don’t come off easily, setting off the metal detectors that did it, but it’s the first time this whole trip that I’ve had the full frisk search.
The female security officer explained exactly what she was going to do.
I smiled and said, “You know, there are people who would love the opportunity to do what you are about to do.”
She failed to be amused.
She proceeded to frisk me and didn’t smile the entire time.
I did, though.
Wow.
What an absolutely amazing night of entertainment.
Legends and newcomers took the stage together for just over two hours of top quality country music performed live at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN.
I was moved to tears by both Chris Janson and Jim Ed Brown, for different reasons. I loved Lorrie Morgan and Brandy Clark. Jeannie Seely was fabulous. Riders In The Sky were wonderful with their medley of songs from Toy Story 2 and incredibly funny with their between-song repartee.
And then The Band Perry played four songs to finish the night. They are incredible: so much talent, very energetic, and powerful in their lyrics.
It was a huge thing for me to get to a show at the Opry: it has been on my bucket list for decades.
Tonight, “one day” became reality.
What a wonderful way to finish my first visit to Nashville.
An Aussie Maple Leaf, adrift on the wind... 