And then in the blink of an eye it was Christmas....

But just before the day arrived....

We had the last Historical Vehicle Club Coffee Run of the year and as many vintage cars and as could go the distance were dusted off ready for the sedate drive to nearby Apsley and their brand new coffee shop.

Some drivers also dusted off ancient head wear and googles! I think I must have been distracted by this handsome fellow or the camera ran out of charge or something because I haven't got any photo's of all the other lovely vehicles. The sedate procession makes quite a sight and because top speed (down hill) can get up to 50 km/hr lots of people stop what their doing, smile and wave at us. 

Whilst on the subject of Land Rovers I'm not sure if I've already mentioned this one.....

Rick did a splendid job on Santa and the Merry Christmas sign and possibly not a surprise to many I am responsible for the glittery bits and the solar lights. It is very amusing watching just how many people slow down and wave to him..... not that we have that many people passing our front gate.

And last but not least..... roll of drums... I'd like to announce the arrival of the final bargain Landy of Year. Meet Herbie, she is a Landy hybrid and very unique. For those who are interested, she has a Series 3 body, a Range Rover Chassis, huge tyres and a Range Rover V8 engine, currently with the soft top on I'm told she also likes to sport her bikini top on special occasions. She is very much a big boys toy. Being a good couple of inches higher than the others I have to say for me getting in or out is not the most elegant of sights. So far I have managed to land on my feet rather than face... I'm hoping thats just not a matter of time.

 I did take her for a drive around the block which was both terrifying and exciting, you kind of glide and bounce around corners and that's going at a very slow speed. I am still making friends with the gear box and at the moment have declined the brave offer of me driving her in public places for fear of running over someone and not knowing!!! I can almost hear the population of Naracoorte breathing easier. Reverse is certainly a challenge for me and tried as I did I could not go backwards in a straight line. All practice I know. Rick on the other hand is in his element and drives her at every opportunity he gets we are both very much enjoying the experience.

'HERBIE THE HYBRID'

 She is great fun and I think we will have many fantastic adventures in her.

And a very short time later it was Christmas and a very hot day. Temperatures were promised to reach 43 c and they did but there was also (thankfully) quite a nice gentle southerly breeze blowing, well more of a zephyr than a blow, making it quite pleasant to be outside. So we took our starters and drinks up to the water trough and sat on the grass to eat it while the rest of the lunch was BBQing. Oh so different of Christmases past when even BBQing in the Summer meant having to be prepared with a brolly. I think I am slowly getting the hang of Christmas being in the middle of summer and the joys of drinking mulled wine are now being exchanged for the joys of drinking Pimms!

For the very first time ever I made a Christmas Pud, well three actually and they are delicious, apologies for the lack of modesty. We didn't managed to eat them all, I think we all find it difficult to eat a lot on very hot days but having soaked the fruit in liberal quantities of Brandy I am hoping the last one will keep for the cooler weather.

Fred was not impressed we put his antlers on him but did get excited about his Xmas pressie of doggy treats. The chews were a tad too much effort for him so after having a good old roll on it he carted it off around the house out of our sight and proceeded to bury it. We did go in search of any freshly dug holes but as the Echidna and Fox have been busy there were a few to many to investigate. I've a feeling Mr Reynard Fox will have now had his first taste of a long lasting Big Dog chew. Hope he enjoyed it!

I think this may well be the last you'll hear from me this side of the New Year so from this side of the planet we wish you a 2016 as joyful , fun and carefree as Fred having a good roll.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Early December

Is it just me or has 2015 sped past at an alarming rate of knots for everyone?

December began quite sedately with a birthday celebration surprise. The surprise was all mine with an amazing trip to the Grampians four wheel driving in Dora. Breath taking in more ways than one. We stayed at Halls Gap which was not affected by the 2014 fires but it came very close, stopping or rather being stopped just 5 km away.

I remember sitting in the backyard at our rented accommodation being able to smell the wood smoke and watching the ash gently falling. Well to start with I had no idea it was ash and had to ask Rick, neither did I have any idea just how far the fires were away. It was (in my defence) my first experience of such things, in my past life there was more a danger of flooding than fire. I also remember at the time asking for Debs reassurance we were not about to be engulfed in flames... that all now seems like forever ago.

Anyway back to the Grampians, We managed to get hold of a 4wd map of the area and an up to date rangers report on which roads/tracks were open for driving on, making sure we had water and snacks we were off.

Rick is a brilliant and experienced four wheel driver... and I am still a novice passenger. Just how much of a novice was proven by him stopping on quite a steep hill and me squeaking very loudly as we rolled backwards. I hadn't realised he was going for a second attempt at the hill in a different ratio... good heavens it is not for the feinthearted... but a huge amount of fun. We followed the track, the map having lead us to believe would eventually take us to a bitumen road via a picnic area. After following the track for a good couple of hours we couldn't believe our eyes when we found the picnic area and also discovered 'they' (whoever they are) had barricaded our way with wooden bollards. Not to be thwarted Rick carefully lined Dora up and we made good our escape by driving through a ditch. As the sticker on the back of Dora declares 'You can go fast I can go anywhere'! By the end of the day my legs (and even toes) were aching from all the braking I was apparently doing!!

Halls Gap in the valley

I was totally spoilt by a fantastic three course meal my challenging diet totally and deliciously catered for. The next day after an amazing breakfast and a consultation of the maps and road updates we were off again more exploring. It really is an amazing place to explore and not until you get to the high point do you realise just why Halls Gap was saved and in living memory has never had a fire. It is nestled in a valley and the theory is the up currents of air keep the fire away.  We were constantly amazed at the regeneration of the fauna, and every now and then came across tiny fast moving streams.

Breath taking views

We were lucky enough to find some of the Sacred Aboriginal Sites, hand paintings thousands and thousands of years old. Track and map reading can be a bit of a challenge for me but because of the 'wrong' turn we had to go up The Old Goat Track which was incredible, full of narrow twisty tracks, which opened out every now and then giving us glimpses of the beautiful landscapes.

A sacred Aboriginal Site, very peaceful and beautiful

Ancient hand paintings, mind boggling just how old these are

One of my favourite plants - the Australian Grass Tree. These beautiful plants are very slow growing, the leaves are actually square and fires cause them to send up enormous flower spikes.

The male emu very protective over his 5 youngsters 

Fauna regeneration

The fabulous McKenzie Falls

The tiny wee foot path on the left of photo is one of the 4wd tracks. Lots of fun when you meet another 4x4 or two heading the opposite direction!

We both highly recommend visiting and exploring this very special area. The main tourist areas were busy enough whilst we were there so  its probably best not to visit in the the holiday season.........

Penola Stuffed Santa Competition

Every December Penola holds a Stuffed Santa competition, this year there are even more Santas than 'normal' and the creative juices and possibly a lot of wine has flowed. The results are brilliant. For those not in the know Penola is a dear little town in the middle of the Coonawarra wine district, very famous for it's delicious wines and the Terra Rossa soil. Indeed should there be any sheep around here I am sure they would be red!

I digress back to the Santas which are hanging around in trees, on tops of buildings they really make you smile... I think I will let the photo's do the talking. Right at the end is our very own Santa who is currently parked by our front gate cheerily waving at all who pass. Believe it or not there are quite a few people who wave back to, including to my amazement some rufty tufty Aussie lads off out in the huge 4x4, that did make me smile.

I think you've agree some of them are shear genius... to be judged on Sunday