den: (revs)
[personal profile] den
March 31

Woke up at 8ish and discovered I'd missed [livejournal.com profile] azhdragon, who had to go to work. Thanks Alex, for once again letting me put up with you.

The ferry sailed at 7pm, so I had most of a day to kill.


StringybarksI didn't really want to go into the city so I headed back into the Dandenong Range. I went back to Grant's for a wander through the tall Stringybark trees, the world's tallest flowering plants.

After driving around for a while, and ending up at Emerald Lakes again, I couldn't help myself. I had to put on the anorak and head to Belgrave Station.

Belgrave Station Belgrave Station Puffing Billy Puffing Billy

And then it was time for lunch. Mount Dandenong Bakery Pies. Eat them; you will not be disappointed.

After lunch I popped in to the William Ricketts Sanctuary, a patch of rainforest bought by Ricketts and filled with his ceramic sculptures. He had this amazing way of blending ceramics and stone together so you couldn't tell where the joins were. Most of his subjects are Aborigines and The Bush

William Ricketts Sanctuary William Ricketts Sanctuary William Ricketts Sanctuary William Ricketts Sanctuary William Ricketts Sanctuary

It rained several times and I found myself sheltering under a ceramic arch.

William Ricketts Sanctuary
William Ricketts Sanctuary William Ricketts Sanctuary
More photos of the sculptures are on my Flickr album.

Then it was time to wander through the tree ferns to a nearby cafe for a long mug of cappuccino and to dry out.

Tree Ferns and Stringybarks Bush Bridge

Finally it was time. I asked Ada to get us to the ferry, and we headed off to Port Melbourne. A couple of hours later I was at quarantine, being asked if I was carrying (in order of dangerousness) firearms, ammunition, fruit, vegetables, explosives, dairy products or LP Gas. I wasn't, and they let me in to the queue. Ada insisted I turn right, but I told her we were okay and put her to bed for the night.

Waiting To Board

By 7.30 I was in my room without a view. It was very comfy and worth the extra cost for a single, except I got a 4 berth cabin to myself. BONUS!

Room Without A View

Then I took the camera up to the lifeboat deck to say goodbye to Melbourne.

Goodnight Melbourne

At 8pm I settled down for a nice meal just as they announced we were leaving Melbourne. The engines revved up and as the ferry started to move a bunch of happy diners suddenly went greenish and dropped cutlery, pushed food away, etc. Good grief! If they were like that now, I wondered how they would cope when we left Port Philip Bay and entered Bass Strait. I coped well, in case you're wondering. I don't get seasick.

After dinner I retired to the bar on deck 10, ordered a Cascade Draught, and sipped the yummy beer while I read my book. About halfway through the fourth beer (or second pint) I noticed the movement of the ship had changed. We were going through the heads. Time for bed, so I finished the beer and headed for my bunk. Tomorrow I'll be in Tasmania.

Date: 11 Apr 2008 05:46 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beki.livejournal.com
How long is that ferry ride? It sounds like its overnight?

Date: 11 Apr 2008 07:00 (UTC)
kuangning: (Default)
From: [personal profile] kuangning
When I make it to Melbourne (later this year, if all goes as planned) we may have to get you and Ada to play tour guides. :) I know perfectly well you'll find things I never would! :)

Date: 11 Apr 2008 07:56 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] weyrdbird.livejournal.com
Stunning sculpture!
Nice panorama of Melllllbaaaahn (Melbourne)!
Nifty engine!
But where's the picture of the meat pie?! :D

Date: 11 Apr 2008 08:11 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dewhitton.livejournal.com
I'll have to send you a photo of me. That's where the pie is.

Date: 11 Apr 2008 08:12 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dewhitton.livejournal.com
I don't live in Melbourne. 8( You'll have to ask Az or Hespa.

Date: 11 Apr 2008 08:13 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dewhitton.livejournal.com
11 hours: 8pm to 7am.

Date: 11 Apr 2008 08:49 (UTC)
kuangning: (Default)
From: [personal profile] kuangning
I'm not sure azh even remembers me at this point, let alone Hespa. ;) Besides, it's a very good excuse for another trip, no? ;)

Date: 11 Apr 2008 11:05 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beki.livejournal.com
Oh wow. The only really long ferry ride around here is the one that goes up to Alaska. I forget how many days that one is. Folks have been known to pitch tents on the deck for that one. Most of the ones here are up to 2 hours (The Brenerton ferry) to as little as a half hour (Vashon Island)

Date: 11 Apr 2008 11:45 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dewhitton.livejournal.com
ROAD TRIIIIIIP!

Date: 11 Apr 2008 11:46 (UTC)
kuangning: (Default)
From: [personal profile] kuangning
*grins.*

Date: 11 Apr 2008 15:17 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] steve3.livejournal.com
I once did a twelve hour ferry crossing from Calais to Dover because the weather was so bad and my car was on the deck of the ferry and it took months to get the salt of of the windscreen. I was the only person in the restaurant eating my sausage bacon chips and beans

Date: 11 Apr 2008 15:19 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] steve3.livejournal.com
you cant eat and take photo's at the same time

Date: 11 Apr 2008 22:49 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dewhitton.livejournal.com
Of course. Taking photos means you have to stop eating.

Date: 14 Apr 2008 05:52 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] azhdragon.livejournal.com
is it ... a cairbear?

Date: 14 Apr 2008 05:55 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] azhdragon.livejournal.com
I felt bad for sneaking off to work without saying goodbye, but I really enjoyed seeing you again, and doing the Dandenongs.

I'm slowly introducing Debbie to the LTUAE crowd - with Daisy, MikeH and you, she's met the relatively normal ones. I wonder how she'd cope with with Dac?

yay. :)

Date: 14 Apr 2008 05:55 (UTC)
kuangning: (Default)
From: [personal profile] kuangning
You do remember. Though no-one's called me that in ages, heh. :)

Date: 14 Apr 2008 07:35 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dewhitton.livejournal.com
Meeting Dac will require more preparation.

Date: 14 Apr 2008 07:58 (UTC)
From: [identity profile] azhdragon.livejournal.com
part of me dreads to think, but the rest of me wants to know ... what kind of preparations would be appropriate?

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