Last week in Geelong

After 8 weeks here in Geelong I have become quite fond of the place. It is a city in its own rights, and a city of very English roots. I was in OT the other day, and out the window I could see a beautiful church with a huge spire, very Norman in it's design. This below is the Art Gallery-


and this the Railway station- reminding me so much of small town England.

In the weekend I returned to Melbourne. I am very impressed with public transport. For $6 I could take the train in to Melbourne,(about 80km), and then use the same ticket all day on the trams, trains and buses..great.I took myself to the zoo- not the greatest I have seen, but they are working on their habitat displays. I went into the butterfly house- goodness some of them the size of a sparrow....and fabulous colours.This fellow's wingspan would have easily been 6 inches across.....

One of my favourites...........

this fellow spent ages "on patrol".....not a movement.

This large gentleman was having a quiet wash of his paws.....the scars on his nose belies his gentleness...I think.

I spent a while walking along the Yarra with many others on a lovely winter's Sunday afternoon.

I intend to return to Melbourne- it is full of surprises-

the old and the new...................

and the extremely clever.....


Early Sunday morning I fly back to Alice...with mixed feelings. I have made many friends in Alice, and I'm looking forward to seeing them again. The work here has pushed me totally out of my comfort zone, and I have learned so much.

It was lovely to get feedback from my family "snaps"- I realise a lot of you haven't seen the girls for many years. I am very proud of the lives the three of them have made for themselves.

Take care, and keep warm.

Long weekend out of Geelong......

Last weekend was Queen's Birthday here in Geelong..so I made the most of it- hired a car- and went off into the great outdoors. I drove around the coast of the Bellarine Peninsula- thru Portarlington down to Queenscliff.There I was able to catch a car ferry to Sorrento.

In the late 19th century this area was very prosperous- but the roads were still hazardous. The way to travel was by paddle steamer which went around the coast of Port Philip Bay carrying people and goods. This is a wreck of one of these steamers still very visible just off coast.

From Sorrento I tiki toured across to Hastings which is near to where the ferry goes to Philip Island. I got up early to catch ferry, and realised there was a fog so hightailed it down to marina and caught the sunrise thru the fog.......nice eh!!!!! (consequently missed the ferry so caught lunchtime one.)

As I had no car on Philip Island I walked to the Koala sanctuary-about 8kms I found out later !!!!
But these cuties made up for the sore feet.

I hadn't realised how under threat the koalas now are...there are some very dedicated people tho doing their best to change that. An amazing place.

These delightful birds are so photogenic- I had fun trying to get as close as I could.They are large, but quite shy. I stood beside a fisherman gutting his day's catch....just the right spot.

I did enjoy my 3 days- just a taste to some time go back.

As you can see I have found myself an internet cafe....and only 3 blocks from hospital.So it is all good.

I only have 2 more weeks here, so this weekend I am intending to "do" Melbourne.

Take care all of you.

A Brief visit home.............

I have just had 5 days in Christchurch. I am sorry to those of you I didn't manage to catch up with, it honestly was nothing personal.I came home for Hugo's Christening which was in Timaru.These are some photos of my precious family......


Dad - Thibaut with his beautiful son.

Anna with her niece Madison,(nearly 7).

Sara and her beautiful son, Hugo (5mths)

Aunty Laura and Hugo..............

Cousins- Madison and Hugo

The Caplain family- Sara, Thibaut and Hugo

I hope you have enjoyed these....I enjoyed taking them.

GEELONG GREETINGS....

As I previously explained I am not able to download photos onto blog- it is too secure so here I am doing it from another computer,(actually in ChCh).

I am really enjoying Geelong,(I think), I have never been so out of my comfort zone in my life...It is beginning to come together.It is a large hospital, the radiology has over 106 of a staff- so daunting.

I have walked the waterfront at Geelong, quite exceptional. An artist over the period of several years, has re-used some old wharf logs to teach Geelong's history. Above life saving has been part of Australian life for many years. Below the brass band history is immortalised.

Captain Cook obviously has his place there....

Below the history of the fishermen, and their families is legendary.

Geelong sits on Port Philip Bay- from my 2nd floor room, I can just see Melbourne.



Melbourne on the left hand horizon.
These concrete "sails" I think look spectacular with the right light behind them.

Next weekend is a long weekend in Oz, so I will spend some time exploring, and maybe be able to share them soon.