Calm Snorkel

 I had Diver Dan with me yesterday for our snorkel and there were all sorts of dives and porpoising going on but the camera failed and I have no video to report.  Debbie and I went back again this arvo in exceptionally calm conditions with sunshine penetrating deeply.  I have turned on the video again but will have to wait to see if it worked. No rays today but a few larger fish were seen out deeper.  The huge schools were around the rocks but the fish are small and were happy to swim around us.  I received six spam comment messages overnight so I will monitor what happens to this post. I deleted one and marked the others as spam. I will have to see if there is a blocking option.

small fishes

This is the new floor mat with the latest and greatest sand sifting, sieving and sluicing option. It works well and is truly sandless floor.

Asher Water Baby

I stubbed my toe a week ago and it seems every day since I have been soaking it in sea water for hours at a time but really was much less. Yet it is a messy look. I have now got the trusty mercurochrome onto it.  We got Asher over to the beach this afternoon and you can see she is much more confident than last time. Happily going on her own to the water for bucket filling and stepping thru the sea grass to get back.  Daniel and I had a snorkel without seeing too many fish but the clarity was good.

                                                                     So excited to be here

Not the disappearing golf balls

A dropped a knife on it as well a day later

Asher Locked Up

The Asher show has rolled into town again this evening and it is mayhem on two legs.  The focus is at Collendina tomorrow morning but for now we have fired up the barbie which needed a clean after the Christmas extravaganza but makes the snags all the more tasty. The new 'game' is getting locked onto the stairs as the safety gate is still there.  Let's play locked out, Let's play locked out. I have also got an Estelle video going from last week.  My video production is jammed up at the moment.

Jail bird

Killarney Beaches

 At first you would think you were on a tropic island.  The beaches at Killarney have quiet lagoons protected by an outer curtain wall, except the wall is not made of coral it is made of volcanic rock.  You can see the breakers in the distance but it is all smooth going at the shoreline.  I have attached a lagoon snorkel video. This is the closest we have got to kelp beds and the size of this stuff is huge.  You cannot pick up an entire length of the stuff, it's leathery, it's rubbery and it's slippery. 

Stormy Drive

We had one electrical storm that we watched on the beach and retreated from yesterday as it approached. It is only a ferw minutes to drive to our house in Killarney. It passed thru quickly and the Sun came out again in time for us to go into Port Fairy where we had booked into the Wharf Restaurant.  We have used this one before and can recommend it. Half crays for $62.00 served up how you like it.  Debbie had a seafood risotto I had a seafood pasta.   The drive back today was also stormy and we filmed some damaged trees at MortLake. As I type this we are being pelted by more rain.

                                                               

Koroit

 Some years ago the Great Victorian Bike Ride rode from Port Fairy to Koroit. This time we drove there for lunch.  It is another historic town right on the edge of Tower Hill. There are some two storey houses that are built on Lake View Rd high up on the edge of the volcano.  The water is looking very brown at the moment.  After lunch at the Crater Bakery Cafe, we walked the main street and called into the Bookworm Gallery.  The owner had just walked out to lock up because no-one had entered in the 4 hours he was there this morning.  He opened up again for us and we bought two books off him.  He said it was a retirement project of his, just like the lady we went to in Dunkeld last year and she specialised in historic books only. We got back from lunch and spent the last two hours swimming and watching the storms build up across at the local beach. The storm hit a few minutes ago but only lasted 10 mins and it was heavy rain this time. 

Tower Hill from the Koroit side

Storm Brewing

Killarney Beach

 This beach is a few minutes drive from our house and we spied a good snorkel track to try. The so called storms never really came this way. There was a bit of spity rain and this morning it is hot and no clouds.  We took the snorkel gear and was in the water at 9:00am. We took our time floating and  paddling along a 200 to 300 metre course. The highlight was the huge kelp beds we drifted across. There were some fish amongst it and blue starfish.  Our old friends the plovers have been roped off on some parts here as well.

garden style

We went thru this passage

Port Fairy

 Slept in til 8:00am.  You can get breakfast served here but we have been doing our own thing so far.  Went down to the local beach at low tide and there are some potential snorkel runs between rock pools there.  After that we drove into Port Fairy and did a walk around Griffith Island out to the lighthouse there.  There are some nice crescent pools on this island.  The heat was on until about 2:00pm when the first cool breezes started and now the thunder can be heard (5:00pm).  We went to the Star of the West Hotel for a big lunch, meaning we don't have to venture out for a meal for tonight, as we will just do something small for tea.  Spent an hour sitting in the garden here this afternoon.

Australia Day Flag

Seeing the Light

Killara

We have made  our way to Port Fairy or Killarney to be exact. This is a property about 5 kms before Port Fairy. It is 115 yar old and the owner here tells us that her husband's Grandmother built the house. It has immaculate gardens but the accommodation section is at the back.  We have all the mod cons here except one.  What essential item might possibly be missing from modern accommodation.  We have all heard of it. It's called the kitchen sink.  I guess it's not such a problem because she says just leave all the dishes outside and I will wash them. This is just the same as any room service hotel so who cares.  We checcked out the local beach earlier and will venture further out tomorrow.

Killara

Estelle's Hot Day In

We started at 6:45am and arrived at Estelle's house at  8:30am.  This was just in time for Heidi's first online session. The last one finished at 3:30pm.  During that time Estelle was our job.  It is a similar set up to Evie's play scenario. The same stand up block tower, a similar standup button pushing ball popping music player. The same threaded wheel spinner, although Estelle has worked out how to turn it before the wheels fall off. I have video from today but my videos are backed up to last week and we are off to Port Fairy for three days tomorrow but I will get to them.  Estelle did not seem to sleep as long for us today but it was a stinker.  We got back at 5:15pm so went across to the beach for 30mins for a quick cool off in the shallows. There seems to be a lot of beach detritus dropped by wandering children. We let some stuff go but picked up a bat that went into the bin.

Batter Up

Ahoy Pole Anchor

Our beach is always entertaining. Today was mostly becalming. We went across around 3:00pm and stayed for three hours. There were a few jetskis pulling up and also lots of kayaks and standup paddling. The biggest was a yacht that used the ancient jetty poles as a place to tie up. We will give him the benefit of having some sort of sail problem. He spent an age getting the aft, crossbar, jib boom untangled from the port side pillion yard arm. I could have given some advice but left him too it. In the meantime we sauntered over to take a few pics.  Just as he escaped detection, the fisheries boat arrived. Not sure if they can fine him for tying to a listed pylon.

Poley wooden side

chase that yacht

9:00am swim

Debbie thought she would try the groyne to groyne swim for the first time this morning so we went across early. People were already starting to appear. How dare they.  She went right across from groyne to groyne without a problem and for good measure we went along the pole line as well. It was ideal conditions you can just float and watch the fish below. We saw one ray hugging the sand and lots of other fish. This was a good swim and her longest by far. I have a video from the other day and we took another one this morning. That will have to wait.

South Beach

 Our concert we were going to by Ella Hooper was cancelled today. Yet another covid problem where a band member tested positive. Bugger it, we decided to go to the beach anyway but just sailed on passed Barwon Heads and went as far as South Beach. That is the next one along from Bell's Beach so a popular area. It was busy but no so much as there were car parks available.  The tide was coming in all afternoon so was not ideal for that beach. It is better when the tide is on its way out but there was still some good scenery and a passing yacht race was colourful.

Our Jarosite Camp

Back towards Bell's

sparkling Jarosite rock

passing yacht parade

Beaching 101

 Of course we are true beach professionals if I don't say so myself.  Some of the amateur efforts we observe need a second look. Like the couple who tried to use a children's beach shade for the two of them. Needless to say they spent most time in the water. Today started with a two hour haircut. Debbie's hair cuts are always two hours but this time around, short hair is the order of the day for the rest of Summer. I spent that time polishing up the council submission and I sent it off to the Parks Dept via their complaint procedure.  There were also the inevitable PB meetings around lunch time but we made it across to the beach at around 4:00pm and stayed til 6:30pm. It was perfect conditions and we did a longer than normal snorkel using an extended underwater camera arm for the first time. No fish to be seen even though the water was crystal clear. We were tempted to stay longer but had run out of supplies.  I will get onto this video soon

Sliding round the shallows

Notice one other piece of Red backing down the boat ramp

Late Arvo Beach

 It was already a big day but we wandered over to the beach for a drink and a cool off.  We came back around 7:00pm but there were still a few groups coming down even then and one couple gets the prize for most pruned body as they were in the water for hours. We managed to get 17 out of 27 for the quiz questions and generally watched the world go by.

90th Bash

 We started out with a visit to my parents. Don't say you can't get old dogs to do new tricks with the recent installation of streaming TV and Foxtel via the new dish, the take up of the Smart phone and all the added didgital presence and not to mention the robot vacuumer. These robot vacs are multiplying.  It was over to Beryl's after that for the 90th birthday lunch and presentation of two new wicker chairs from the six siblings. We are trying to spread out the birthday celebration over a longish period and so far so good.  I also printed off a few old photos of Nana Beryl in various roles with the Grand Children. We went off mid afternoon along the unlikely route of the Tuilla freeway towards the city and eventually over the West Gate. It took 27 minutes to get to the same turn off that is currently closed from the Ring onto Geelong road due to the Yarra Tunnel works. Not bad going but that was not during peak time.

Telepohne lessons

Zucchini slice (with home grown zucchini) plus potatoe rosti 

and salad. Not to forget last night's Rack of Lamb that Debbie also cooked up but that is another story.

Wicked Wicker Chairs

Dell Picnic

After the meetings today we wandered across to the Dell for a sitdown under the tree.  All the locals know what I am talking about, as there is only one massive tree at the Dell and I think it was there when Batman wandered through.  Actually we were inspecting the sea grass clearance that was done there before Christmas.  They deposited a mountain of it up one of the gullies to the side but has made no difference as the beach there is currently still covered with grass.  

I have checked out the council options for submitting to them. There is no suggestions box but there is a complaints form that I think will be the best option. There is also an over the top submission procedure where you can get one of the councillors to speak on your behalf about an issue. I don't think dogs require that approach.

The Grassy Dell

Distant You Yang

Doggy Dodgy

 Doggy Dodgy is a game we play all over the Summer period. The other day a dog came behind us and rolled against our backs in the sand. The owner got hold of him like a sheep and dragged it back up the beach. The council's general policy is that all beaches are dog on leash zones unless otherwise specified. And of course on our beach they have specified something else like dogs can roam off leash.  Starting up a campaign for consideration by council can be a time consuming waste of breath but I am going to give it a try.   Write a Letter!!  My approach is detailed below and the language needs to be straightforward. Just describe the incident, make the suggestion and state the reasons for a change.  I'm not holding my breath. I haven't figured out where this has to be sent yet.

                           Proposed reclassification of Dog Controls at Clifton Springs.

I am a resident of XXXXXXX  and am a daily visitor to the beach at Clifton Springs.  I have witnessed a number of 'dog out of control' incidents on this beach and on the grassy areas above, which would not be as bad if the dogs were on a leash. The one incident I will highlight involved my wife, who let out a scream and turned her back on a charging dog. The Dog was 30 metres away and got to within 10 metres before the owner noticed the problem. Fortunately the dog responded to the owner who called it back. This all occured in the shallow water and seemed all the more dramatic as the water was flying when the dog was bounding. 

I have noted the beach is getting more popular in the 5 years I have lived here. Also the number of people and dogs has increased markedly with the opening of the board walk at the Dell. This has allowed more dog owners easier access to this beach. In that light, since the Dell area has now been connected to the Clifton Springs beach, I think it more consistant to treat the whole area with the same Dog Control classification; eg Change the section from Emergency Marker 44B on Map 9 from green to yellow as far as Marker 43B.  This will make dog control more consistant with dogs on leash between 10:00am and 5:00pm for that whole section.  Particularly since there is an official dog of leash area already in place at Beacon Point Rd in the same area.

Please let me know if this idea can be acted on.

Beach Clearance

We went for as ride this morning on the slightly reduced circuit of 16km. It was after one of Debbie's meetings so we just made it to the coffee van before midday when he closes up shop. Around 3 o'clock we ventured over to the beach ecen though it was a bit overcast. We tackled the dog off leash problem and came up with a strategy to present to the council. I will detail this in another blog when I have polished it up. On the way off the beach we passed a particularly irritating pile of seagrass balls. This is a leftover construction from two weeks back. Debbie called out to them about dismantling it just for fun. This was taken as a great joke. People have been detouring and tripping over it ever since and of course the people who built it are once a year visitors. It took us about 20 minutes to throw it into the back blocks. We were interrupted by a woman with three whippets. I said I know a friend (Paul Stork) with those dogs, who get jealous when there are visitors and pee all thru the house so they can get the attention back. She just got this look of horror.

There is a whole industry around this van

New Q train shed looking good

spiky grass ball throwing

Pole Growth

 Having somewhat of a slow day here. I did send the robot on its rounds down stairs. I wonder how the Christmas robots are going and if they are any good at plucking cat hair from the floor. I also did a rubbish collection along the beach. I got a few cans and one bottle along with bottle tops and half a dozen cigarette butts.  I also brought back a coral like structure that grows on the poles just below the surface. It consists of thousands of tubes all wound tightly together. Maybe a worm is excreting a tunnel as it grows.  This stuff is hard and sharp at the edges.  We saw a guy cutting chunks of it for a classroom a few years back. They were going to count the number of bugs in a sample but I can't remember the name.

Spear Chuka's

 I normally do the snorkel swim in the morning, however I bought the gear with me this afternoon but it was as I suspected with many snorkellers crowding the way. I would say 10 of them were sporting spear guns and spear chukas.  That was enough for me so I just got wet and cooled off as far as the rock groyne and left them to it. One guy was professionally kitted out. It took an hour to get ready and in the water and he only stayed in for 30mins.  Not a fish did I see being caught though.

I think he is still breathing via his tube

Evie feeds Herself

 A few good chores done for this morning.  Started out with numerous wash loads being guest towels, sheets and some of ours as well.  Then the pesky Christmas lights on the balcony have almost molded to the railing as they have been there so long, at least a month. And of course the spiders have moved in and woven their house along most of the 40 metres of LED line.  The green bin goes out today and we have been slack getting lawns mowed and I had to do it early as the cars were moving in to park on this warm Sunny Sunday and they will be here to stay until dark. So edging is not possible with cars around but I got the mowing done before it really got packed. All the while we are gathering up Nana Beryl's gear and there is a lot of it like, the walker, the shower seat, the suitcase and other bags for medicine etc etc. And it is all essential so nothing can be forgotten.

I have added an Evie video of one of the meal times.  All the meal times are an event and the clean up is tricky as well but she is a good eater.

Morning visit

 We had the Taylors call in for an hour so of morning tea. They were deciding whether to visit the beach over at Collendina before or after coming to our side. The clouds did retreat for a bit so we went across the road ourselves for two hours of beach observation.  We have decided to write to the council to see if they will put up a sign about dog rules. Our beach has a dog on leash at all times designation but there are no signs to say that.  Dogs were running crazily, particularly three culprits, and when we get back Beryl is describing to us the same three dogs who were going after a puppy in our street.

Evie gets the Nod

Between swims, playing guest house host, blog writing and other retirees duties, I have worked on some more videos from the Brisbane visit.  Being less than one most of Evie's activities are indoors, although we did get her on the swings and slides that are just out side in the park.  The indoor action is divided between the huge playmat and the high chair.  

Storm Cloud

We have a good view of all the weather here and this cloud is no exception. The photo in the previous post had no size comparison to us humans on the ground but the video does give a good idea of what was coming. There was copius lightening which I seemed miss most of but the thing you could not miss was the lady in red. Why was a lady all dolled up in red, walking around under a black storm cloud, you may well ask? Maybe she barracks for Essendon.

Fish Eggs

 We had a decent storm blow thru last night. Everything is clear and sunny again after the lightning show. I went over for the swim this morning and the water was very clear. I thought it may have been a bit silty. A good swim it was. I tallied up two rays, two large schools of different fish, another fish with an appendage, maybe an egg sack and a golf ball.. The rays are in the middle of the clip. The darker one is easy to spot and the lighter camouflaged one is sitting right next to him but darts off in a hurry as I approach.

Monster Cloud beckons

Rescue Complete

 Debbie retrieved Beryl from the asylum she was redirected to because of more COVID crap. She was pleased to arrive here and the first thing she got was a new clock to replace the one that was stolen by one of the regular inmates. She only just got her feet up when Pam was on the phone. That will keep them busy for an hour or so while we ducked over to the beach.  A slow storm build up was occuring all afternoon.  The trick is to delay until the last possible moment to get the most dramatic photos but we had to get back.  

PS. If driving to Geelong, the connection between the Ring Road and Princes Freeway is closed and will be for the next 6 weeks. Poop!  We will be going via Werribee for that time.

Feet Up Thursday

Not quite the last moment

Boosters

 Our last shot was 5 months ago today. My next mistake was waiting til today to book the Boost. Mind you we generally have a policy of ignoring as much of the crap as possible and trying to just get the essentials at the right time. Ha fat chance.  My next mistake was looking for Astrazeneca Booster appointments. The usual places we have been going for injections, did not have those and they would not answer the phone.  Eventually I got onto a local chemist that said Australia does not use the Astrazeneca so you will have to pick another one. Maybe Debbie can have Pfizer and I will get Moderna. I have to wait another month now to get in at this chemist.

Low Tide II

 It seems we are in for a series of afternoon low tides.  It got down to 0.3 metres around 5:00pm and will keep going to 0.2 on Thursday.  We went over to the board walk and could see no sign of the springs bubbling up. They have all been covered in sea grass mucky muck.  It still makes for interesting rambling thru the sand islands and shallows.

sandy islands

don't swim into this at high tide

no springs today

Ancillary Justice

This would have to be the most interrupted book reading I've done for a while. Imagine the main character is a spaceship that talks and thinks and sees at the same time as all of its 2000 sailors. The leader of this universe also has multiple selves.  However one day this invincible empire is changed by an alien who injects a change into the leader's thought process and over 1000 years the leader starts to fight itself. Two more volumes have been written since this one to make the obligatory trilogy. They will have to wait.