{"id":221,"date":"2018-12-29T13:00:55","date_gmt":"2018-12-29T13:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/?p=221"},"modified":"2019-03-25T14:16:44","modified_gmt":"2019-03-25T14:16:44","slug":"finally-time-to-go-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/2018\/12\/29\/finally-time-to-go-2\/","title":{"rendered":"False Start"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.48&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.19.17&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; header_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->The Tour had begun, out onto the open road, wind in our hair, Australia at our feet. OK, we weren&#8217;t really mimicking Thelma and Louise, that may be a slight exaggeration as we only had an hours drive ahead of us. We drove through the windy roads of Kosciuszko National Park, heading to Tom Groggin, which was fairly crowded given Christmas and NY summer holidays. Alex and I are quite particular about the places we camp and we like our space. After a bit of searching we found a nice spot to set up. Once we&#8217;d had a bit of an explore, the \u201csorting\u201d began in earnest! The kids were also helping enthusiastically and as we were filing away stuff into their respective places, the kids were removing stuff from other boxes as quickly!! Reo jumped in Minty, after about 10 mins, I shouted in to ask what he was up to, \u201cjust trying to get the chainsaw\u201d was the reply I didn\u2019t expect or wish to hear!! Over the next day and a half we were left with only a few boxes left, one of them full of wine so we made a mental note to focus on that one first when the next \u201csorting\u201d was needed. Luckily that night was NYE, so we started \u201csorting\u201d again sooner than expected!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:gallery {\"ids\":[342,343]} --><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/TG01P-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"342\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/index.php\/2018\/12\/29\/finally-time-to-go-2\/tg01p\/\" class=\"wp-image-342\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/TG01P-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/TG01P-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/TG01P-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Yum, hot squishy marshmallows!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/MAIN1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"343\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/index.php\/2018\/12\/29\/finally-time-to-go-2\/main1-2\/\" class=\"wp-image-343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/MAIN1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/MAIN1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Here&#8217;s to a fun, adventurous 2019 \ud83d\ude42<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:gallery --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->Our first hard timeline was the boat over to Tasmania mid-January and we had no plans prior to this, yet! We\u2019d had friends kindly offer places to stay as we ventured through Victoria but had not had time to really look at schedule. It was time to focus. Having made plans to suit our timetable, it was time to find out if it suited our friends! Before long, the next 2 weeks were fixed in the diary and we found ourselves traveling North West (I admit I wasn\u2019t looking at the map when I locked that one in!) for the next 7 hours to Deniliquin, home of the Ute Muster. Over the next 2 weeks we would see ourselves being pampered with warm, dry houses, delicious home cooking and fabulous company, a bit of a false start to dusty life on the road, although I\u2019m certainly not complaining!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:gallery {\"ids\":[368,402]} --><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/uteP-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"368\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/utep\/\" class=\"wp-image-368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/uteP-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/uteP-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/uteP-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Ute Vs Tinfish<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/list-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"402\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/list\/\" class=\"wp-image-402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/list-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/list-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/list-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Reo&#8217;s list<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:gallery --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->First stop was with Anika and Will. We met Anika was when we were travelling through Pakistan on our overland trip from UK to NZ. Anika\u2019s mum Susan was also over for Christmas so it was a great opportunity for a reunion.\u00a0 Reo loves all things to do with animals and as soon as he heard we were off to a farm, a million questions arose; \u201cDoes he have a horse?\u201d (Reo\u2019s favourite animal), \u201cdoes he have a dog?\u201d (Reo\u2019s second favourite animal), rabbits, hay, tractor, pigs, cows, the list was endless. Normally one to run in the opposite direction when it comes to any type of reading or writing, soon, pen glued to hand, tongue sticking out in concentration, he carefully formed his letters jotting the questions on paper so he wouldn\u2019t forget them. We hadn\u2019t seen Susan since Pakistan and we hadn\u2019t actually met Anika\u2019s husband Will but catching up with them was like we\u2019d all been together last week.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->Poor Will was bombarded with all these questions and more! The following day we had a tour of the farm and Reo was like a little puppy dog yapping at Will\u2019s heels as she showed us the area. They farm sheep for their merino wool and today was the hunt for them. It didn\u2019t take long! With over 7000 in the flock, we ventured to the dams to check the windmills were working to fill them with water and the faces of 100 or so sheep looked up in anticipation thinking we may be bringing a feed, they were quickly disappointed and soon continued doing sheep things.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:gallery {\"ids\":[404,374,373]} --><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/sheepPjpg-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"404\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/index.php\/2018\/12\/29\/finally-time-to-go-2\/sheeppjpg\/\" class=\"wp-image-404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/sheepPjpg-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/sheepPjpg-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/sheepPjpg-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Where are the sheep?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmP2-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"374\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/willfarmp2\/\" class=\"wp-image-374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmP2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmP2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmP2-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Fun tractor rides<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmP1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"373\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/willfarmp1\/\" class=\"wp-image-373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmP1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmP1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmP1-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Exhausted farmers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:gallery --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->We spent a good 4 or more hours driving over the land and learning all sorts of information about farm life, it was a real education for us all; they keep the sheep in their age groups, they are sheered every 9 months, the water from the dam was very cold and comes from 80 plus metres below ground, the quirky fact I particularly liked was <em>sheep walk in to the wind<\/em>, so if they can\u2019t find the sheep they\u2019re looking for, they basically drive into the wind and know they will eventually come across them! There, an interesting fact of<br \/> the day for you &#x1f60a;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:gallery {\"ids\":[372,371]} --><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"372\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/willfarml2\/\" class=\"wp-image-372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL2-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL2-1080x810.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>9pm cool off<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"371\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/willfarml1\/\" class=\"wp-image-371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL1-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL1-1080x810.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Delicious dinner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:gallery --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->With the temperatures over the last few days pushing 40 degrees, it was a welcome break to jump straight into the pool on our return to the house and we stayed there for the rest of the afternoon and most of the following day! Over our stay our tastebuds were also tantalised with Susan\u2019s cooking\u2026. We were again spoilt with her Pakistani curries; fragrant, colourful, delicious and never tasted quite the same when Alex &amp; I tried to replicate at home!! It was great catching up with them all and sad to say farewell when it was time to leave. We need to make sure that we don\u2019t leave it until another 14 years before meeting again!! The following day was forcast to hit 46 deg so it was a welcome break we had a 3 hour car drive to Ruffy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:gallery {\"ids\":[369,370]} --><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"369\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/vicl1\/\" class=\"wp-image-369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL1-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL1-1080x810.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Hot, hot, hot! Phew<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"370\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/vicl2\/\" class=\"wp-image-370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL2-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL2-1080x810.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Off to our next State<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:gallery --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->The next day was like we were sat in an oven, the temperatures oppressive, so we cracked on the A\/C, cranked up the music and headed for our next destination and next State, meeting up with Pete and Lyn in Ruffy in Victoria. We arrived around tea time to a gorgeous old farm cottage surrounded by a yellow, grasshopper infested field!!! 3 weeks before had been lush green grass but the harsh weather conditions had changed all that. We enjoyed a lovely evening dinner on the veranda, basking in the slightly cooler temperatures, enjoying the sunset as the kids jumped through the sprinkler trying to cool down.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->A southerly came in that evening and the following day it was over 30 degrees cooler! It was freezing!! Rugged up and after a cooked breakfast to warm us from the inside, Pete took us around the acres they\u2019d been maintaining, we explored the farm. Gorgeous scenery. With Reo\u2019s favourite animal being horses, Lyn thought it would be nice to show us the miniature donkeys down the road. They were teeny and pretty cute, only just bigger than Reo! They would have been the perfect riding companion if they were allowed to be ridden. After a lot of patting and cuddling, there were many wanting affection, it was time for the bigger animals and while I had a little snooze, Alex, Pete, Lyn and the kids took off to see some horses. I thought once Reo had got up close and personal with them he\u2019d actually be a little afraid, but once he\u2019d hopped onto Pete\u2019s shoulders and at the horses head height to feed, he was in heaven! With more friends lined up to catch up with, the following day we waved farewell to Pete and Lyn, thanked them for such fabulous hospitality and headed 30 mins down the road to Bonnie Doon.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:gallery {\"ids\":[364,363,365,367,366,362]} --><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"364\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petel2\/\" class=\"wp-image-364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL2-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL2-1080x810.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Dinner on the Verandah<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"363\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petel1\/\" class=\"wp-image-363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL1-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL1-1080x810.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Tinfish exploring<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"365\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petep1\/\" class=\"wp-image-365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP1-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Us!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP4-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"367\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petep4\/\" class=\"wp-image-367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP4-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP4-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP4-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP4-1080x1920.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP4.jpg 1980w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Erm, I think it&#8217;s eaten my hand!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP3-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"366\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petep3\/\" class=\"wp-image-366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP3-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP3-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP3-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP3-1080x1920.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP3.jpg 1980w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>This is a big beast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteDonkeyP2-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"362\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petedonkeyp2\/\" class=\"wp-image-362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteDonkeyP2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteDonkeyP2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteDonkeyP2-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>&#8220;Can I have one as a pet?&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:gallery --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->Alex and I aren\u2019t Aussie thoroughbreds and having not grown up in this wonderful country, not fully indoctrinated, as we\u2019d not watched the film \u2018The Castle\u2019, which made Bonnie Doon famous in the late 90\u2019s. It was only after several comments about ensuring we enjoyed the \u2018serenity\u2019 that someone explained it a little more to us and told us we needed to watch the movie. However, there was no time for that just yet!! As soon as we arrived, Phil &amp; his wife Mathap were heading down to Lake Eildon and we dropped off Minty at their pad and followed \u2018tout de suite\u2019.\u00a0 A quick introduction with Hazel and Mark and we all jumped in the boat and headed out on to the lake followed by Lexi &amp; Mark on the jet ski. \u00a0All afternoon we played around being pulled behind the boat on the donut and the knee board or chasing around on the jet ski, I\u2019m not sure who had more fun, me and Alex or the kids! The following morning I didn\u2019t feel so \u2018fun\u2019 as my aching old muscles were protesting that I wasn\u2019t as young as I\u2019d like to be and hadn\u2019t been to the gym in quite a while!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:gallery {\"ids\":[360,359,357]} --><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDP2jpg-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"360\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/bdp2jpg\/\" class=\"wp-image-360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDP2jpg-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDP2jpg-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDP2jpg-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>I could get used to this!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDP1jpg-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"359\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/bdp1jpg\/\" class=\"wp-image-359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDP1jpg-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDP1jpg-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDP1jpg-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Are you ready?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDL1jpg-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"357\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/bdl1jpg\/\" class=\"wp-image-357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDL1jpg-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDL1jpg-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDL1jpg-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDL1jpg-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDL1jpg-1080x810.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>&#8220;Where is the &#8216;go faster&#8217; button?&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:gallery --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->We took the day off from too much strenuous activity and after a lazy morning, instead cruised to a restaurant 20km along the lake, taking half the time over water than it would have done by land. After a seafood lunch and a couple of glasses of wine to ease the pain of the aching muscles (like I needed an excuse!) we headed back to the boat and went for a swim. It was another glorious summer day and a great way to cool off. We headed back to the house for a BBQ and were treated to the most breathtaking sunset I\u2019d seen in a long time. The sky looked like it was on fire and with the lake and undulating hills in the forefront, made for spectacular viewing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:gallery {\"ids\":[407,406]} --><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SkipperP-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"407\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/skipperp\/\" class=\"wp-image-407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SkipperP-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SkipperP-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SkipperP-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SkipperP-1080x1920.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SkipperP.jpg 1980w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Skipper Maz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/restaurantP-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"406\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/restaurantp\/\" class=\"wp-image-406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/restaurantP-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/restaurantP-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/restaurantP-1080x1440.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><figcaption>Well worth the ride<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:gallery --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->The next day, (<em>let me remind you this is Day 2 after the most strenuous activity I\u2019d done in a while<\/em>) I could barely lift my arms over my head! There was only one thing for it, to get back on the water and loosen up some more. &#x1f60a; This time we took the SUP down too. I quite like paddling on SUPs, never had I entertained the idea of being pulled behind a speed boat on one! It felt slower than the knee board but still a lot of fun and tricky to pull yourself up, never mind trying to look graceful and poised while doing so\u2026 The kids got the hang of it really quickly and light as a feather they jumped up on the board to be pulled around. It was another fun filled afternoon. Time will tell if all the pulling and smashing our bodies against the water as we fell has either given us one hell of a chiro workout or just contribute to our medical bills going up! We headed back to Phil and Methap\u2019s for another BBQ before they headed back to the Big Smoke and kindly left us to our own devices at their place for the night. The kids were practically asleep as soon as we turned off the light and it was the perfect time to put on The Castle so we could be fully initiated into Bonnie Doon.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- \/divi:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><!-- divi:paragraph -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/divi:paragraph -->[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;3.19.17&#8243; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;4px|0px|20.25px|0px|false|false&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.19.17&#8243;][et_pb_image max_width=&#8221;90%&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.19.17&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDL2jpg.jpg&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Tour had begun, out onto the open road, wind in our hair, Australia at our feet. OK, we weren&#8217;t really mimicking Thelma and Louise, that may be a slight exaggeration as we only had an hours drive ahead of us. We drove through the windy roads of Kosciuszko National Park, heading to Tom Groggin, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":341,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Tour had begun, out onto the open road, wind in our hair, Australia at our feet.  OK, we weren't really mimicking Thelma and Louise, that may be a slight exaggeration as we only had an hours drive ahead of us.  We drove through the windy roads of Kosciuszko National Park, heading to Tom Groggin, which was fairly crowded given Christmas and NY summer holidays. Alex and I are quite particular about the places we camp and we like our space. After a bit of searching we found a nice spot to set up. Once we'd had a bit of an explore, the \u201csorting\u201d began in earnest! The kids were also helping enthusiastically and as we were filing away stuff into their respective places, the kids were removing stuff from other boxes as quickly!! Reo jumped in Minty, after about 10 mins, I shouted in to ask what he was up to, \u201cjust trying to get the chainsaw\u201d was the reply I didn\u2019t expect or wish to hear!! Over the next day and a half we were left with only a few boxes left, one of them full of wine so we made a mental note to focus on that one first when the next \u201csorting\u201d was needed. Luckily that night was NYE, so we started \u201csorting\u201d again sooner than expected!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"ids\":[342,343]} -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/TG01P-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"342\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/index.php\/2018\/12\/29\/finally-time-to-go-2\/tg01p\/\" class=\"wp-image-342\"\/><figcaption>Yum, hot squishy marshmallows!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/MAIN1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"343\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/index.php\/2018\/12\/29\/finally-time-to-go-2\/main1-2\/\" class=\"wp-image-343\"\/><figcaption>Here's to a fun, adventurous 2019 :-) <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Our first hard timeline was the\nboat over to Tasmania mid-January and we had no plans prior to this, yet! We\u2019d\nhad friends kindly offer places to stay as we ventured through Victoria but had\nnot had time to really look at schedule. It was time to focus. Having made plans\nto suit our timetable, it was time to find out if it suited our friends! Before\nlong, the next 2 weeks were fixed in the diary and we found ourselves traveling\nNorth West (I admit I wasn\u2019t looking at the map when I locked that one in!) for\nthe next 7 hours to Deniliquin, home of the Ute Muster. Over the next 2 weeks\nwe would see ourselves being pampered with warm, dry houses, delicious home\ncooking and fabulous company, a bit of a false start to dusty life on the road,\nalthough I\u2019m certainly not complaining!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"ids\":[368,402]} -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/uteP-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"368\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/utep\/\" class=\"wp-image-368\"\/><figcaption>Ute Vs Tinfish<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/list-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"402\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/list\/\" class=\"wp-image-402\"\/><figcaption>Reo's list<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>First stop was with Anika and\nWill. We met Anika was when we were travelling through Pakistan on our overland\ntrip from UK to NZ. Anika\u2019s mum Susan was also over for Christmas so it was a\ngreat opportunity for a reunion.&nbsp; Reo\nloves all things to do with animals and as soon as he heard we were off to a\nfarm, a million questions arose; \u201cDoes he have a horse?\u201d (Reo\u2019s favourite\nanimal), \u201cdoes he have a dog?\u201d (Reo\u2019s second favourite animal), rabbits, hay,\ntractor, pigs, cows, the list was endless. Normally one to run in the opposite\ndirection when it comes to any type of reading or writing, soon, pen glued to hand,\ntongue sticking out in concentration, he carefully formed his letters jotting\nthe questions on paper so he wouldn\u2019t forget them. We hadn\u2019t seen Susan since\nPakistan and we hadn\u2019t actually met Anika\u2019s husband Will but catching up with\nthem was like we\u2019d all been together last week. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Poor Will was bombarded with all\nthese questions and more! The following day we had a tour of the farm and Reo\nwas like a little puppy dog yapping at Will\u2019s heels as she showed us the area.\nThey farm sheep for their merino wool and today was the hunt for them. It\ndidn\u2019t take long! With over 7000 in the flock, we ventured to the dams to check\nthe windmills were working to fill them with water and the faces of 100 or so\nsheep looked up in anticipation thinking we may be bringing a feed, they were\nquickly disappointed and soon continued doing sheep things.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"ids\":[404,374,373]} -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/sheepPjpg-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"404\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/index.php\/2018\/12\/29\/finally-time-to-go-2\/sheeppjpg\/\" class=\"wp-image-404\"\/><figcaption>Where are the sheep?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmP2-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"374\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/willfarmp2\/\" class=\"wp-image-374\"\/><figcaption>Fun tractor rides<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmP1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"373\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/willfarmp1\/\" class=\"wp-image-373\"\/><figcaption>Exhausted farmers<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We spent a good 4 or more hours driving\nover the land and learning all sorts of information about farm life, it was a\nreal education for us all; they keep the sheep in their age groups, they are\nsheered every 9 months, the water from the dam was very cold and comes from 80\nplus metres below ground, the quirky fact I particularly liked was <em>sheep walk in to the wind<\/em>, so if they\ncan\u2019t find the sheep they\u2019re looking for, they basically drive into the wind\nand know they will eventually come across them! There, an interesting fact of\nthe day for you &#x1f60a;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"ids\":[372,371]} -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"372\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/willfarml2\/\" class=\"wp-image-372\"\/><figcaption>9pm cool off<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WillFarmL1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"371\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/willfarml1\/\" class=\"wp-image-371\"\/><figcaption>Delicious dinner<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With the temperatures over the\nlast few days pushing 40 degrees, it was a welcome break to jump straight into\nthe pool on our return to the house and we stayed there for the rest of the\nafternoon and most of the following day! Over our stay our tastebuds were also\ntantalised with Susan\u2019s cooking\u2026. We were again spoilt with her Pakistani\ncurries; fragrant, colourful, delicious and never tasted quite the same when Alex\n&amp; I tried to replicate at home!! It was great catching up with them all and\nsad to say farewell when it was time to leave. We need to make sure that we\ndon\u2019t leave it until another 14 years before meeting again!! The following day\nwas to hit 46 deg so it was a welcome break we had a 3 hour car drive to Ruffy.\n<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"ids\":[369,370]} -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"369\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/vicl1\/\" class=\"wp-image-369\"\/><figcaption>Hot, hot, hot! Phew<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/VicL2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"370\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/vicl2\/\" class=\"wp-image-370\"\/><figcaption>Off to our next State<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The next day was like we were sat\nin an oven, the temperatures oppressive, so we cracked on the A\/C, cranked up\nthe music and headed for our next destination and next State, meeting up with\nPete and Lyn in Ruffy in Victoria. We arrived around tea time to a gorgeous old\nfarm cottage surrounded by a yellow, grasshopper infested field!!! 3 weeks\nbefore had been lush green grass but the harsh weather conditions had changed\nall that. We enjoyed a lovely evening dinner on the veranda, basking in the slightly\ncooler temperatures, enjoying the sunset as the kids jumped through the sprinkler\ntrying to cool down. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A southerly came in that evening\nand the following day it was over 30 degrees cooler! It was freezing!! Rugged\nup and after a cooked breakfast to warm us from the inside, Pete took us around\nthe acres they\u2019d been maintaining, we explored the farm. Gorgeous scenery. With\nReo\u2019s favourite animal being horses, Lyn thought it would be nice to show us\nthe miniature donkeys down the road. They were teeny and pretty cute, only just\nbigger than Reo! They would have been the perfect riding companion if they were\nallowed to be ridden. After a lot of patting and cuddling, there were many\nwanting affection, it was time for the bigger animals and while I had a little\nsnooze, Alex, Pete, Lyn and the kids took off to see some horses. I thought\nonce Reo had got up close and personal with them he\u2019d actually be a little\nafraid, but once he\u2019d hopped onto Pete\u2019s shoulders and at the horses head\nheight to feed, he was in heaven! With more friends lined up to catch up with,\nthe following day we waved farewell to Pete and Lyn, thanked them for such\nfabulous hospitality and headed 30 mins down the road to Bonnie Doon.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"ids\":[364,363,365,367,366,362]} -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"364\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petel2\/\" class=\"wp-image-364\"\/><figcaption>Dinner on the Verandah<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteL1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"363\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petel1\/\" class=\"wp-image-363\"\/><figcaption>Tinfish exploring<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"365\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petep1\/\" class=\"wp-image-365\"\/><figcaption>Us!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP4-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"367\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petep4\/\" class=\"wp-image-367\"\/><figcaption>Erm, I think it's eaten my hand!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteP3-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"366\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petep3\/\" class=\"wp-image-366\"\/><figcaption>This is a big beast<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/PeteDonkeyP2-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"362\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/petedonkeyp2\/\" class=\"wp-image-362\"\/><figcaption>\"Can I have one as a pet?\"<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Alex and I aren\u2019t Aussie\nthoroughbreds and having not grown up in this wonderful country, not fully indoctrinated,\nas we\u2019d not watched the film \u2018The Castle\u2019, which made Bonnie Doon famous in the\nlate 90\u2019s. It was only after several comments about ensuring we enjoyed the\n\u2018serenity\u2019 that someone explained it a little more to us and told us we needed\nto watch the movie. However, there was no time for that just yet!! As soon as\nwe arrived, Phil &amp; his wife Mathap were heading down to Lake Eildon and we\ndropped off Minty at their pad and followed \u2018tout de suite\u2019.&nbsp; A quick introduction with Hazel and Mark and\nwe all jumped in the boat and headed out on to the lake followed by Lexi &amp; Mark\non the jet ski. &nbsp;All afternoon we played\naround being pulled behind the boat on the donut and the knee board or chasing\naround on the jet ski, I\u2019m not sure who had more fun, me and Alex or the kids!\nThe following morning I didn\u2019t feel so \u2018fun\u2019 as my aching old muscles were\nprotesting that I wasn\u2019t as young as I\u2019d like to be and hadn\u2019t been to the gym\nin quite a while! <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"ids\":[\"360\",\"359\",\"357\"]} -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDP2jpg-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"360\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/bdp2jpg\/\" class=\"wp-image-360\"\/><figcaption>I could get used to this!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDP1jpg-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"359\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/bdp1jpg\/\" class=\"wp-image-359\"\/><figcaption>Are you ready?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDL1jpg-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"357\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/bdl1jpg\/\" class=\"wp-image-357\"\/><figcaption>\"Where is the 'go faster' button?\"<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We took the day off from too much\nstrenuous activity and after a lazy morning, instead cruised to a restaurant\n20km along the lake, taking half the time over water than it would have done by\nland. After a seafood lunch and a couple of glasses of wine to ease the pain of\nthe aching muscles (like I needed an excuse!) we headed back to the boat and\nwent for a swim. It was another glorious summer day and a great way to cool\noff. We headed back to the house for a BBQ and were treated to the most\nbreathtaking sunset I\u2019d seen in a long time. The sky looked like it was on fire\nand with the lake and undulating hills in the forefront, made for spectacular\nviewing.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"ids\":[407,406]} -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/SkipperP-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"407\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/skipperp\/\" class=\"wp-image-407\"\/><figcaption>Skipper Maz<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/restaurantP-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"406\" data-link=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/restaurantp\/\" class=\"wp-image-406\"\/><figcaption>Well worth the ride<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The next day, (<em>let me remind you this is Day 2 after the\nmost strenuous activity I\u2019d done in a while<\/em>) I could barely lift my arms\nover my head! There was only one thing for it, to get back on the water and\nloosen up some more. &#x1f60a; This time we took the SUP down too. I quite\nlike paddling on SUPs, never had I entertained the idea of being pulled behind\na speed boat on one! It felt slower than the knee board but still a lot of fun\nand tricky to pull yourself up, never mind trying to look graceful and poised\nwhile doing so\u2026 The kids got the hang of it really quickly and light as a\nfeather they jumped up on the board to be pulled around. It was another fun filled\nafternoon. Time will tell if all the pulling and smashing our bodies against\nthe water as we fell has either given us one hell of a chiro workout or just\ncontribute to our medical bills going up! We headed back to Phil and Methap\u2019s\nfor another BBQ before they headed back to the Big Smoke and kindly left us to\nour own devices at their place for the night. The kids were practically asleep\nas soon as we turned off the light and it was the perfect time to put on The\nCastle so we could be fully initiated into Bonnie Doon. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":358} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/tinfish.apexhosting.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BDL2jpg-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-358\"\/><figcaption>Lake Eildon by sunset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[8,10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/221"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=221"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":436,"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/221\/revisions\/436"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townsontour.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}