Short break to Otways

Three days' break is really short and we are back already! Fauna Australia turned out to be a real gem, we saw lots of small animals, fed pademelons, hairy nosed wombats and koalas. The pademelons were running wild in the ground and they were very friendly, especially when you have food in your hands! We saw two mummy koalas with their babies in their pouches, they were very silky to stroke and simply beautiful.

We did the Otway Fly Treetop Walk and it was amazing, metal pathways were hung 25 meters above ground, although they were quite sturdy but you could see through the grits under your feet to the ground down below and that was a bit unnerving. The viewing platform was 45 meters high and once you got up there it swayed a little from side to side in the wind, the trees nearby were also swaying from side to side but not in sync with the platform! Although the swaying was almost undetectable on its own but teamed with the swaying trees it can make you feel dizzy! The boys were quite bravado about it at the beginning but quickly changed their mind once on top of the platform. But we enjoyed it over all, well worth the effort.

Other hightlights include seeing the glowworms at night in the Melba Gully and a wild baby possum in the woods. The glowworms were truly amazing, they were like stars in the night sky and they may even formed constilations! And we've all fallen in love with the little wild possum in the woods, we were walking towards the Triplett Falls and saw some people bending over something on the ground, and when we got closer we realised that it was a baby possum burrowing in the foliage, totally unperturbed by humans.

We drove back today along the Great Ocean Road, the scenary was spectacular and we decided that one day we are going to go back and stay a few nights at Anglesea or Lorne to explore the area better. We really enjoyed this short break and once again this country has amazed us with its beauty and diverse environments, there are so many places to see and things to do and we barely scratched the surface - more adventures awaits!

Birthday getaway

It's my birthday tomorrow and instead of having a 'do' we are going away for a few day, we are staying at a place called Fauna Australia Wildlife Retreat. It's a private wildlife preservation centre near Cape Otway and we're hoping to have some close encounters with cute small wild animals on the reserve. We are also eager to check out the Otway Fly Treetop Walk and the glowworms at Melba Gully.

Unfortunately the forecast is not that brilliant for the next few days, and it's been really windy the last couple of days. Fingers crossed the wind will subside otherwise we may not be able to do the treetop walk. The boys are really excited and so am I, but we're not packed yet! Also I don't think there is internet connection at the accommodation so it'll be quite strange not going online... how did we manage before? Well, I'd better get off now to pack!!

Mohair lacy scarf

Although I'd knit lace before, but only as garnish and never in fine wool. Then one day I saw some lovely kid mohair in the shops and I just had to have it, and I knew just the perfect project. So I started this lacy scarf to test the wool and my lace skills. The pattern calls for 3.5mm needles and for some reason I haven't any in my needle bag, no matter, I'll use another size. Toying between 3.25mm and 3.75mm, I finally decided on 3.25mm, my reason being I don't really like wide scarves. I haven't done a swatch, but in this case that's not really necessary, is it? We shall see.

Cast on today, a bit slow to get started, the fine wool and its lightness took some getting used to. But I've got the hang of it now, I think. And so far so good.

Mindless knitting

I always knit while watching TV, it seems a crime if I didn't, all that time would be wasted! But I was taught a lesson Sunday night, it was the Wimbledon men's final Federal vs. Roddick, both my favourite players. I was knitting some socks for my cousin's birthday, the pattern was quite easy and has a nice rhythms to it. So I was clicking away cheering for both, then halfway through the match I suddenly realised with a horror that I had picked up stitches without shaping the heel!! The sock was looking more like a sack! I didn't rip it back there and then as it was way past midnight by the time I realised it, the sock was finished the next day. Note to self: better choose something less shapely when watching Wimbledon finals, it's obviously more absorbing than average TV programmes.

Vests finished

I have finished knitting the vests for the boys, the smaller one was knitted in flat pieces and sewn together and the larger one was knitted in the round. As I'd planned the design in my head I didn't write down the pattern while I was knitting it, the instructions are quite easy but the cable chart could be tricky, not sure to do it on the computer or draw by hand. Procrastination is beginning to bite....