phillip island

We spent the weekend with Rachel at a Phillip Island caravan park, making the most of the opportunity to spend some time with her and of course reassuring ourselves that she will be ok. There were some minor alterations to the bike, a couple of purchases to ward off the cold, some practice in the art of single handedly putting up a tent and taking it down and some fine tuning of what goes where in the panniers. She has planned out the next couple of days, managing to avoid caravan parks in favour of couch surfing and a youth hostel as the forecast is for rain. Yep, she is pretty much good to go.

We also managed a bit of a walk and to take in the sights at both ends of the Island - Nobbies Point and Cape Woolamai. It was cold and blustery but beautiful none the less.

Walkway to The Nobbies

green, black and blue

a beauty of its own

coastal view

Woolamai beach, the start of the track

cliff top track

half way to the point

The Pinnacles

looking over Cape Woolamai

On Sunday Rachel rode and we drove. We were a bit like stalkers, catching up with her along the Bass Coast Rail Trail, waiting for her in Wonthaggi for lunch and seeing her arrive safely in Inverloch. With a final goodbye, reassured, immensely proud and a lump in my throat - Colin and I drove west, back to Melbourne. In the morning Rachel will continue to ride east...

packed up and ready to go

she's off

there's a bridge to cross to leave Phillip Island

the parents insisted on the fluro vest!

Bass Coast Rail Trail

the adventurer

Of our four children, number three was always guaranteed to be the first to volunteer, the first to try something new, the first to take a risk. As children, the older two would send Rachel down a suspect slippery slide first to make sure it was safe, send her to speak to strangers or ask a question, try a new food, play a new game. She disappeared at Wet and Wild, a moment later we heard her joyful screams as she cannoned down the biggest and scariest ride - first and fearless and sometimes careless! She would be the one to jump from a jetty, climb up a cliff or head straight for the biggest waves. Part of her gap year was spent as a volunteer in Fiji and she took a semester off Uni to backpack around Europe.

And today she begins another adventure, a solo bike tour up the East Coast of Australia. Colin and I will be the support crew for the first few days, mostly for our own benefit! Her type 1 diabetes makes everything that bit more complicated and challenging.

We are enormously proud of her and enormously worried for her; typical parents thinking of all the things that could go wrong. Her bike is now sporting some new safety equipment and her head a new helmet.

She has courage and determination, is curious and insightful, has the ability to live in and enjoy the moment, is attuned to all her senses, is adaptive and creative, loving and kind. She takes a chance, gives it a go and takes things as they come. She is deep and lives life fully.

And so it begins...

Rachel's blog https://adventuringfordummies.wordpress.com

Her bike, the day before departure. It won't look so bare and unladen for a very long time.

the day before departure

spectacle

There was fire in the sky at dusk last night..

east coast

We did a lot of driving today, a loop around part of the East Coast. There are so many beautiful places, you really need a few days to do them justice. We decided on bit of a reconnoissance, a quick drive through the southern section taking note of the places we want to explore some more. The fact that it was squally with icy winds was conducive to driving more than anything else!

We drove south to Campbell Town, turned east and made our way to Coles Bay. The sun, rain, sun pattern continued once we arrived and out of the car the blast of southerly wind was bracing to say the least. A faint rainbow was our reward for being brave enough to get out of the car.

We lunched at Bicheno, making the most of a warm cafe that overlooked the cove. On cue the blue sky dotted with scattered clouds gave way to a sheet of grey and what looked suspiciously like sleet. The beautiful emerald sea turned an inconspicuous grey.

Just north of Bicheno is Denison Beach, a long stretch of white sand bordering a wild sea today. Those ominous clouds crept their way along the coast as well. We took a photo for Johanna, just letting her know that we were at the beach today too - she is in Caloundra, in shorts and t-shirt no doubt, a very different kind of beach experience there.

Elephant Pass, St Mary's and the Fingal valley kept us company on the way home, as did the dark mass of wintry clouds. The drama of the sky created a hide and seek on the ground, deep shade followed by bright sunlight; dark grey and yellow chasing each other across hills and mountains, sheep and tumble down farmhouses and a grey winding road leading us home...

cute as

My mother was puppy sitting for a friend today, Johanna and I availed ourselves of the opportunity for a quick cuddle and a play...

under the boardwalk

This morning I have been watching (somewhat guiltily) the passing parade of joggers, moving with purpose and energy along the boardwalk. It has been months since I have walked regularly; the cold weather, travel and then the last month or more caring for my father have meant little time or energy. This last week I made the hour journey from Launceston to Devonport three times, attending appointments with the doctor, lawyer and bank alongside my father as well as organising a visit from the Aged Care Assessment Team. Helping him remain at home and living independently is the aim. The next month or so will probably be pretty much the same.

At the end of the day, my mind busy and my body tired, the boardwalk is a place to 'just be'. This last week there was even some warmth in the late afternoon sun, the water still and silent, a mirror beneath the boardwalk reflecting another passing parade...

surprise

Thirty minutes or so from Alum Cliffs is a place called Devils Gullet (Lookout). With a name like that we just had to have a look. When you turn off the main road you hit gravel and then you go up and up and up, til suddenly there is white stuff lying on the side of the road. Yep, still snow from a week or more ago. Johanna had never seen snow before, she was ecstatic. We pulled over when there was enough to have a bit of a play.

the first handful of snow

throwing it around

building a snowman

the first attempt

With the promise of more snow further on we continued up the road. We didn't make it to Devils Gullet, the road kind of disappeared under snow eventually and there was no visible walking track but we did find lot's more snow to play in.

onwards and upwards

a place to stop

snow, glorious snow

the first throw

the chase

taking cover

retaliation

taking advantage of an awkward situation

the sun shines through

enjoying the view

building another snowman

finishing touches

Ta Da

time to go