FINALLY found internet!

Friday 12 Nov 2010; Firth Park Campground, VIC (site #429)

We left Greg & Chrissy's much later than we had planned. Actually we were hoping to leave on Wednesday ... then maybe Thursday ... finally left Friday about 3 (maybe 4). When we left Melbourne it was hot (~30sC / ~90sF) and muggy. We decided to head north toward Ballarat to what looked like an interesting state park - Lerderberg. We had passed the area on our way to Ballarat about a month ago checking out a possible RV so we knew it was close and pretty. There were also a couple of free camping areas shown in our book.

The book we are using is "The Travellers Bible Camps 5 Australia Wide". It bills itself as "The ultimate guide for the budget and freedom conscious traveller". It includes lots of maps and thousands of listings for free or cheap sites. And typical of a guide it tells you what's there ... like shade, toilets, water, tables, etc.

We decided to head for campsite #429 Firth Park Campground. The directions read:

Turn @ off C704 11 km W of Gisborne or 20 km N of Darley onto Carrolls Lane and Firth Rd. 12 km dirt road.

I wasn't exactly sure what it meant to turn on to "Carrolls Lane AND Firth Rd" but discovered that Carrolls Lane simply turned into Firth Rd a little after the dirt started. The dirt road concerned us a little because it had been raining and lots more was predicted but it ended up the road was metal - which Trox says is what New Zealand calls good gravelled road. We had to skirt a down tree at one point but were able to get by. We found the campground well before dark and were able to find a relatively level spot with a table along side. We are parked right next to the information kiosk which has a very nice overhang so we were able to "garage" the bike for the night to keep it as dry as possible. We got everything organized and Trox cooked chicken on our new stove with a griddle and that along with rice, peas, and leftover lentils made a great dinner. Did the dishes and headed for bed.

It started raining in the night - just as predicted.

Saturday 13 Nov 2010; Firth Park Campground, VIC

Bunyip LEAKS! Anyone who tells you it doesn't rain in Southeast Australia or Victoria in November LIES! And it is very definitely CHILLY (about 15C / 60F) It started raining last night a little after dark and it hasn't stopped since - it is now about midmorning. There are little rivers running all over the camping area and lots of small ponds that weren't there when we arrived last night. The leaks in Bunyip are not bad but enough to be a nuisance. Only two small spots that we have found so far and of course for some reason Trox didn't bring any caulk. We are coping with the leaks and will head for civilization in a few days (after the rain stops and we get to enjoy the area) and try to fix the problems.

This area is really gorgeous. Tall thick forest of Eucalyptus and yesterday we were able to hear birds and frogs. One of the frogs we heard we had seen at Serendip Sanctuary the other day - he has a very distinctive thumping call. Also heard Cockatoos and Kookaburras last night.

It is supposed to stop raining later today with just scattered showers predicted for tomorrow. There are a number of walking trails around so once it dries out a little we will do some bushwalking and then Trox will probably do a ride or two.

Sunday 14 Nov 2010; Firth Park Campground, VIC

Well we survived the deluge without finding out if Bunyip floats. It never really stopped raining for about 24 hours. I'm guessing we got 3 inches but no matter the exact amount it was a LOT! We got up this morning to mostly cloudy but no rain. Trox strung a clothes line from the "garage" to a tree and we hung stuff out to dry without a whole lot of hope given the humidity must be near 100%. Also put stuff up on the table and under the awning to get it out of the mud and to give it a fighting chance at drying.

The garage and clothes line

drying out of the mud

We then had breakfast; tried to fix a few of the leaks (there really aren't THAT many but it sure seemed like it at the time); then went for a walk. Trail marker said we were heading for an old mill and this area has obviously been logged in the distant pass. We had to go around a number of puddles

one of the passable puddles

and the last one was just a little too big for me to cross

nope - i'm not going across that one

Trox kept going

I returned by myself to Bunyip and he kept going to the mill. Of course it was just a little past the puddle to the mill. Supposedly the only thing left to see was a giant pile of saw dust.

Now, as I write this he has gone off on a short bike ride and I'm sitting nice and snug. He'll be cold when he returns as it has started to rain again.

A few hours later

Sure enough when he arrived he was soaked. Ends up he had found a very (as in VERY) deep mud puddle and ended up taking an unexpected swim but over all he had a nice ride. Tomorrow we will have to find a laundromat as much we have is very wet.

Monday 15 Nov 2010; Daylesford, VIC

This morning started with sunshine and the promise of a bright but cool day. Before leaving Firth Park we were actually able to enjoy some sunshine and outdoor time without worrying about getting soaked.

Campsite

view across the park

We left Firth Park heading somewhere and ended up in Daylesford which is a quaint little tourist town. Here we found a bakery for lunch, laundromat, hardware store, petrol station where we can get fuel for the generator as well as water, library with free Wifi, and groceries. After we leave here we'll be looking for another camp spot. The drive here covered some really pretty countryside via metal roads, a narrow paved lane, and a "highway". Mostly farming and sheep country. We are higher than Melbourne so it is still very early spring. The rhododendrons are gorgeous as well as the azaleas. We saw a field full of Cockatoos which we really enjoyed but the farmer was probably swearing.

Tuesday 16 Nov 2010; Vaughn Springs Reserve, VIC (site #421)
Castlemain Diggings National Heritage Park

Well so much for making it to the library to get this posted yesterday. By the time the laundry was done and we had gone to the store and petrol station and Trox had caulked all around where we think Bunyip was leaking the library was closed so we pushed on down the road to Vaughn Springs Reserve in the Castelmaine Digging National Heritage Park. This is another free camping area in the book we are using. It is in a very pretty little park with lots of trails. We were the only ones here last night so needless to say it was quiet but tonight there are supposed to be about 15 high schoolers staying here so Trox is off on his bike looking for a possible place for us to move onto.

There are a number of natural mineral springs here which are carbonated but taste yucky. I was disappointed that they weren't hot. There is also a small circle of railroad track which is a miniature railroad. The camping area is on the top level and the park (and the bathrooms) is down a fairly steep hill. They have very nicely provided a stairway to go up the hill and a slide to down. Lots of fun!

It looks kinda scary

ended up gong pretty fast

here he comes with water jug in hand

long way back up

Bunyip

Wednesday 17 Nov 2010; Warburton Bridge Reserve, VIC (site #422)
Castlemain Diggings National Heritage Park

Sure enough Trox came back with a new site to move to so we packed up and left just as the hoard was arriving and down the road we went! Typical of the units our daily average is pretty low. Yesterday we managed a paltry 5 km or less and the day before about 80. Today nothing so even if you ignore today our average is about 40 per day.

This new site is WONDERFUL - my favorite so far! We went for a walk last night before starting dinner and were not bothered by either flies or mosquitos and got to see lots of birds and wildflowers. I have a pretty bouquet on my table. We still haven't found a wildflower or weed book so we really have no idea what they are but they are pretty. We are right on the Loddon river (about 5 meters) with really easy access so Trox has managed to get wet a number of times. There is NO ONE else here so it is very nice for listening for birds and just enjoying the quiet. We have been looking for a place to have Greg meet us and this might be it. Easy fishing; great place to set up a tent; quiet; nice bike trails and so on. Disadvantage of this spot is no potable water and no toilets but we have plenty of water with us and Bunyip provides the toilet.

The weather has finally dried out and we are not feeling like drowned rats. Trox is off on a ride and I have done a little exploring right around our camp. It is wonderful walking weather! Tomorrow our plan is to go into Castlemaine and get a new bike ordered for Trox and touch base with lots of people including YOU via the blog and email! We also need to check on our cushions for the back bench of Bunyip that weren't ready when we left Melbourne.

Thursday 18 Nov 2010; Castlemaine, VIC; library

We got up this morning and went back to the springs where we stopped to have breakfast and then drove into Castlemaine where went to the visitor center and now we are at the library. Still need to find water to refill Bunyip and hit a grocery and I am hungry (what else is new). Not sure where we are going to spend the night but last time we talked about it we thought we might go back to the same area as the past few nights. There is lots to see/do in this area and lots more bike trails.

I will post more the next time we find internet access! In the meantime Ciao Ciao for now!