There are 6 states and 2 territories in Australia.
I started in Victoria.
I crossed into South Australia yesterday and found out, a new time zone.
King Bob talked a lot about Kangaroo Island last year and more than one person said it was worth the ferry. Gah, I hate ferries. It was a stormy day too. Big wind.
I did donuts on the deck trying to get the bike like this.
I've never seen it done this way and let me assure you, I've taken many ferries.
I would not have been happy if I was that car and thought to myself getting the full coverage insurance was a darn good idea.
Rough crossing....and the bike was still upright!
Checked into my 3 bedroom house....why did I pick this one?
For the washing machine.
Unfortunately, Grindle needed a bath because he fell off the bed in that roadhouse with the iron burn in the carpet and I just couldn't cuddle him without concern.
The night had epic wind, wall shuddering wind.
I had the motorcycle cover on the bike with many big heavy rocks to keep it in place.
I woke up many times that night to shine the flashlight on Snowy...expecting him to be on the side.
It stayed upright. Miracle.
The forecast was big wind and rain so I hunted around for a tour.
Managed to be on a large touring bus which took the worry of wildlife and weather out of the equation.
Will was the driver and a hero, more on that later.
See the Koala?
First stop. Seal Bay.
Mom and pup.
This little guy was under the metal walkway frolicking with another pup.
Bush walk.
This is a famous road.
Why is it crooked when it could have been perfectly straight?
Many theories.
After hearing a few, I suggested it was engineered by a motorcycle rider.
First stop.
Harsh and intimidating coastline.
Zoomed in, seal.
This is Admiral Arch.
Will said, once you spot the first seal, dozens magically appear.
He was right.
There was at least 30 that I could see.
Then they flew off and I found them later.
Oldest lighthouse on the island.
At first the lighthouse was replenished via the sea using a funicular basket pulled up by horses.
The story goes that a prickly wife of a lighthouse keeper was left dangling halfway up as a reminder to be nice. She packed her bags and left a couple months later.
Wildlife park.
Little penguins.
Same kind that I saw on Phillip Island the year before.
50F and swimming like it is summer.
Meerkat. Under the heat lamp. Covered in fur....they know it is cold.
Baby Roos.
Forgot what these things are.
Sleep 16-20 hours a day.
The life.
Wombat.
On the way back to town, it was after sunset (being winter here less daylight) and just after the final turn off to get back to town a Koala started running across the road. Will slammed on the brakes, honked the horn that probably made the poor thing deaf and just missed running it over.
The other front seat passenger yelled "you are a hero!".
It would have been sad....I have seen many signs of Koala's running across the road as hazard signs but given all my time watching them just didn't believe it.
Until now.
I also wanted this house because of the wood burning stove.
Fun sculptures.
This is a penguin colony.
No time...catching the ferry back.
I didn't pack a hair dryer...no room. Need room for spare tubes, tools and parts.
So I use the hand dryers at each pool.
Dyson air blades are my favorite.
Hair dry in minutes.
Not there yet....
I read about this historic Scottish town.
Then I saw this photo and thought, wow, I need to stay here.
Covered parking for the bike. Off the main street.
Good omen. Then I checked in.
Front of the hotel aren't rooms, just storage.
It has a slot machine area with everyone smoking.
The room was awful and breakfast was a slice of toast and instant coffee.
What a dump.
But I did enjoy walking the town.
I saw this and thought 'beaver family argument'.
Historic buildings everywhere.
This bird had a funny walk.
See the Kookaburra?
I knew it was there because it started its kooky cackle.
Then they flew off and I found them later.
I love these birds.
Last year I bought a spell candle in Melbourne that has a neat Kookaburra prayer.
It came with a small charm which I am wearing.
I've changed my ringtone to their song.
I am obsessed with these birds.
They are from the kingfisher family.
Here they are again....perhaps they were following me.
Closed today and tomorrow, but a very nice man told me to come back the next morning and they would let me in...so I came back the next morning and voila, had the place to myself.
There was a special car meet up.
Finally, a long black.
oh and what is that on the side?
Heavy cream.
Happy days start this way.
While waiting for the museum to open, I wandered into an antique shop.
Smurfs!
Bought 3.
They fit on the bike.
Next stop, Burra.
Took a short cut. Good gravel road.
Assuming that above ground pipe is for water.
Although, there is a ton of water coming from the sky.
The area I rode through is wine country.
Rolling, green hills and vineyards.
It is winter and it is raining, a lot = green.
It is winter and it is raining, a lot = green.
Every town has one of these.
Sobering thought.
Another place that is closed today!
Gah!
So I thought I would see it from behind using a side road.
Bad idea.
Deep slick mud.
Tiger went down, horn popped off my helmet, mud everywhere.
Fortunately my dust riders hoist worked.
Tiger back up.
No more short cuts.
Checked into my accommodations.
The building is nearly 200 years old.
Walked to the hotel on the corner for dinner.
Finally. A really good lamb dinner.
I like it so much here, and I'm a bit tired of feeling like a popsicle so I decided to stay an extra day.
Neat photos of an old mining town coming next.
No comments:
Post a Comment