Our 2017 journey

We are just about to embark on this year's journey. As per usual we are starting in France as that is where Bluey is waiting for us. Once Bluey has had his annual check up we will head North,  travelling through Germany,  Denmark and Sweden. We will then explore Norway until we reach Nordcap.  From here we will then travel South through Finland.  Then if time permits we will return via Estonia, Latvia,  Lithuania and Poland. We are looking forward to experiencing new cultures and history.  We hope you enjoy following our trip.

Visiting Melbourne

Recently we had family members from France come to visit us in Melbourne. This prompted us to become tourists in our own city and we thought that some of you out there may enjoy seeing some of the sights.

 Cape Woolamai on Philip Island has some great surf and views.

There is a picturesque board walk at the Nobbies which has a seal colony.

Philip Island is well known for its Fairy Penguins who come in from the water each night after fishing all day, to feed their young ones waiting at the nest..

The view of the city from the colourful Brighton Bathing Boxes. 

Its worth a walk out on St.Kilda Pier, offering city views.

The views of the city and suburbs from Sky High at Mount Dandenong.

It was a lovely stroll through William Ricketts Reserve with its beautiful tree ferns and aboriginal inspired sculptures.

We admired the tall Gum trees near the Rhododendron Gardens and then went to feed the Cuckatoos at Grants Picnic area.

We got a good look at the Australian wildlife at Healesville Santurary. Below is a Koala and an Emu.

There is lots of tasty delights in the Yarra Valley especially at the wineries, chocolaterie and the dairy.

Melbourne City has many interesting sights including The Shrine of Remembrance built in memory for the WWI  soldiers who lost their lives.

View of the city from the Shrine.

There are lots of restaurants to choose from as you stroll along the Yarra River in South Bank precinct. The casino is also worth a look. 

The iconic Flinders Street Station

The Arts Center

The free City Circle Tram takes you for a loop of the city where you can hop on and off.


There are many opportunities to do some shopping for some local crafts at markets held on weekends. We went to the ones at Melbourne Arts Centre precinct, The Queen Victoria Market, St.Kilda and Red Hill. 




Melbourne is known as the sports capital. MCG hosts not only cricket games but also the Australian Rules football. We went to see the Mighty Essendon win against Hawthorn in crowd of 85,000.







Nearby further up the Yarra River is Studley Boathouse, where you can walk to Dwight Falls.






The bay side beaches offer plenty of places for a stroll or a dip in the water. Below is the red cliffs of Black Rock.



The Mornington Peninsula is a beautiful place to visit. The bay beach is on one side and the rugged ocean beaches are on the other. The middle is lush and green with plenty to see including wineries and hot springs.

This is the view from Arthurs Seat.



Pippy collecting at Tootgarook with our friends Ray and Dawn.



Fishermen feeding the pelicans in Hastings



The surf at Gunnamatta.



Back beach in Sorrento



The ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff to then visit the Great Ocean Road.




The famous Bells Beach 




The lighthouse at Aireys Inlet




 The Great Ocean Road memorial to the 3,000 WWI returned soldiers who built the road after the war.







Koala spotting at Kennett River.




and bird feeding




The Twelve Apostles









Loch Ard Gorge
















London Bridge which has fallen down!



The Grotto.



We stayed the night at Apollo Bay.



We had a walk through the Melba Gully in the Otway National Park. 





On the way back we went to Sheoke Falls.



and then Erskine Falls.



There are so many great places to visit ie Warburton, Daylseford, Ballarat etc but we thought that a we would have bush camping experience on the Howqua River at Sheepyard Flats near Mansfield.

Good camp oven cooking - Roast lamb and veggies with prawns to have cold the next day. 

 Cows that roam around the campsite.



Fry's Hut.



Headed home via the Black Spur with the beautiful tall gum trees.