Distant Cousins

Fisherman's Grotto - Now and Then - Dinner and a lovely sunset

This is Fisherman's Grotto
About 10 years ago, you could go nearer to the first arch (although not advisable when the tide is coming in. Signs posted everywhere).
At the bottom edge of the photo, you can barely see the top of the low wall they've built to stop people from going down.


This second photo was taken 10 yrs ago on a cloudy day and with waves splashing into the Grotto.





This is a large part of what we had for dinner for 2 nites- lovely Crayfish! Flesh is firmer than the Boston lobster and more intimidating to get at with all those barbs.



And a lovely sunset to end the day....

The Twelve Apostles

Hi!
(Had a few uploading problems yesterday). This is the stretch that is called the Twelve Apostles just almost adjacent to the Gibson Steps. There used to be more of these solitary structures standing guard here. I think at least 2 to 4 have fallen in the 30 years that we have been in Australia. Time marches on for everyone and everything.

Next day - Gibson Steps

Here's a pic of our cottage in the morning just before we leave for the Twelve Apostles Drive.

Our first stop along this drive is the Gibson Steps - steep steps down to the beach. The sun was warm but the wind was a little chilly.
Beautiful clear day for lovely pics!

Cape Otway

We decided to take a short break to Cape Otway which is about 4 hrs from Melbourne before the school year starts next week.
There are quite a few dog friendly accommodation spots down this way. Why not try one instead of having someone babysit Big Baby at home?
So here we are at our lunch stop - Hungry Jack's (Burger King) outside Geelong.

The Great Ocean Road (http://www.greatoceanrd.org.au/) is a beautiful but windy drive. We finally arrived at Johanna Seaside Cottages (http://www.johannaseaside.com.au). As you can see here, there's lot of grazing land. We noticed that most of the accommodation venues had sea related names but they either faced inwards or required a long trek to the beach. Funny isn't it? Deceptive advertising?
The views were from our cottage patio.



These are online pics - first one shows the hilly ridge immediately behind the beach. The beach areas were quiet and peaceful but we're told it gets quite busy during surf season.


On the way, we stopped at Apollo bay and bought some local groceries and seafood for dinner - 2 crayfish, gemfish and huge prawns!

Summer Fruits Part 2

A quick post before talking about our trip - We harvested our sole nectarine tree a day before we went on our break.
That first yield was in excess of 300 fruits which were quickly distributed to family and friends. We had to do this as the birds were starting to enjoy them.
This is our second harvest and it would be close to 300 again. Me think there's still another 300 on the tree.
This nectarine tree has been prolific every year - it's a white nectarine but lots of flavour even when picked and eaten slightly green. If you wait for it to ripen fully on the tree, you would have to declare World War III on the birds. Very deceptive tree this one. We always think that it will be a low year as it's pruned in winter and spring buds don't look that many.

Getting used to new upgraded Blogger

Be sure to grab a snapshot of what your old settings were before saying yes to the upgrade...unlike me!
I'm trying my best to remember what I had on my old blog page!

Summer Blooms and Fruits

**Had quite a bit of trouble uploading pics for the last week. Blogger just wouldn't let them thru ***
Even though it's been very dry (no rain for at least a month - some arrived this evening), some of our fruit trees are getting on with life.
Here are our figs - attempt at fruiting at the right time after trying to fruit in winter.



Cumquat blooms - smells really pretty. These are the long cumquats with the sweet delicate skin. Very refreshing!




Persimmons!
Nothing last year due to the BIG DRY as well but with a relatively 'wetter' winter and spring, it's fruiting now. Have just netted it to keep the rosellas out.



Hi Anna! we're feeling just the opposite as the days are getting shorter. Dreading autumn....

You get the feeling you're not the only one?

It takes so much to defy the odds. This lone nectarine must have loathed being stuck here, growing out of the tree trunk, constantly brushed on and eyed by a slobbering large white mass of a dog. Due to where it is placed, it has had the good fortune of being sheltered from the elements- searing heat, relentless wind and very little moisture from a dry Spring. Yes, it grew!
Alas, all good things come to an end.




It will be EATEN!

Paper paper everywhere!

Feeling a little euphoric here! We're halfway into clearing up all the paper clutter that's accummulated/neglected for 2 yrs now. Couldn't chuck it all in trash just in case we need bits for tax purposes and product/appliance warranties etc.
So the last 5 weeks, we've been sifting, re sifting and filing filing filing!
Managed to get more ebay-able items - which is a nice thing.
Do we have more space now?
Not really but it's nice to know where everything is .....finally!