home

on the plane tomorrow - hopefully can sit better!

animals

We saw real Koalas and Kangaroos at a sanctuary today - also saw an animal hospital doing surgery on a bird's leg - better pictures when we get back.

Tennis

Tennis was great - saw a fantastic match with Federer!

Tram

we rode the tram 2 days ago FOREVER - but we managed to get back eventually. We were the only ones who validated our pass on the tram. Also learned that not only do you need to drive on the left, a good idea to walk on the left also in the foot traffic - can easily spot these crazy Americans!

more pictures

Harley

OK - this netbook doesn't like the memory card in my Nikon D90 - can only load pictures from the small camera. So, it limits the pictures I can show now.
We ate in Chinatown last night - very nice. Went to the Harley shop today - our pipes are illegal in Australia - the noise isn't allowed - most of the bikes we see on the road here are Suzuki, Honda, etc. Any Harleys must have the loud pipes removed!

Red Knight Friends

pictures of our Australia friends!

Red Knights Chapter 1, Australia

On the way to Melbourne we stopped in the little town of Craigieburn - I can spell it and pronnounce it! We met with the Red Knights of Australia - a new chapter formed in the last year. We were treated to a fantastic Bar B Q at Steve's house with his family and several Red Knights and families. It was a great visit - we were taken on a tour of the local Fire Brigade also a trip to Kinglake area, site of the Black Saturday brush fire of 2009. Great friendly people - it was a really nice visit - we will stay in touch!

Bed and Breakfast

The picture of the Bank Building was in Rutherglen - that was where we stayed. I am still working out how to post this stuff so it makes sense.

pictures

All Saints

All Saints Winery - this building is 130 years old - an old castle

All

All

Murray River

These are gum trees - they are everywhere! Also lots of black flies, but no mosquitoes.

kangaroos

Be careful as you drive -

Melbourne

I am actually on-line and my computer types at my speed! Toured a number of wineries in Rutherglen - scenery is beautiful - trees are huge! Good thing we don't have big trees when hurricanes arive. Murray River is impressive - should have a canoe over here -

Old Bank building where we stayed in Rutherglen-

Last Day in Rutherglen

This computer is slower than I type - having to re-spell things a lot. Went to the Murray River yesteday and hiked around - saw some kangaroos off in the distance - going back to that area today hoping for a picture.
Will go to Melbourne tomorrow - maybe I can get some pictures up then.

Went to a really neat cheese factory at one of the wineries - there was even a blue cheese that I liked. Time is almost up on this segment -

Rutherglen

There is no WyFi in this small town. Rutherglen was establised in 1860 because of the gold rush in the area. Most of the buildings are over 100 years old. The primary school was built in the early 1900's and is still used. No bond issues trying to tear it down and build another one to keep up with the other school districts! The B@B that we are staying in used to be the bank - still has the safe in the dining room. The Victoria Hotel, next door is 140 years old. It is a lot of fun to see so many old buildings that have been kept up. We see a lot of the English influence here - not much "take away" haven't seen anything in styrofoam yet.

We toured wineries with two other couples yesterday on the wine bus - leave the driving to them! Today we are riding bicycles for awhile - maybe a winery, but not much while on peddle power. It was 42 celcius yesterday which is about 110 our temp - much cooler today - Yea!

I am on a computer at the information center - so it does not recognize my camera card - will have to send pictures when we get to the big city of Melbourne - I expect they will have WyFi there. Had to pay for this 15 minutes and it is almost up -taking lots of pictures!

We made it ot New Zealand!! Long time on the plane - I walked the aisle a lot! It is raining now - off to Australia in about 30 minutes!