Superb day in Lakes Entrance today and ideal for a walk along the Marina. No matter what the weather, there are always plenty of photo opportunities!

Snowbird returning to port.








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Friday

A quick trip into Lakes Entrance today for supplies, then around to Bullock Island to see what’s what.   Nothing much happening.  The dolphins were still there, but too far away for pictures, few boats coming and going.   Decided on a drive around to Metung,  bit windy and brisk off Shaving Point, but nothing photo worthy happening.   Always a nice drive home from there, the countryside is green and pretty. 

Again I think what a great place we live in!

If I drive to the end of my street, I can turn right and go into the high country, if I turn left I can go to the sea – isn’t that the best of both worlds?  And what a great decision to have to make when wanting to go for a drive!  The sea, or the mountains?   I’m not sure which I love best!   If you can’t have the sea, have the high country with it’s beautiful mountainous terrain and wonderful opening vistas as you travel the roads, winding and twisting through the area.   You never know what you will find around that next corner, what magical vista will open before you next.

We have found that people in the high country are different, and it’s a good kind of different.  They may not be as sophisticated as others, but their hearts are pure gold, and they are open, honest and friendly, they look you in the eye and they grin – a somewhat cheeky grin and you sense a spark of genuine love of life, and love of a shared joke, a shared sense of the ridiculous and a unique ability to laugh at themselves, and you too if you do something funny.  But it’s not a malicious kind of humour,  and if you are in need of help, they are right there with all you need, no questions asked and no repayment required.  They are, generally, the most honest, hard working and friendly people you will come across.  That being said, don’t do the wrong thing by them, don’t try to cheat them, they will be merciless in their pursuit!  Being honest people themselves, they expect that you too, will be honest in your dealings with them, and if you are not, you better move on quickly!

So I’m cooking meatloaf and roast vegetables, better go and make sure they are not getting burnt beyond redemption!  Thanks for reading my blog, comments are more than welcome.

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Magical Thursday

What a magical day!  Cold, and some spectacular clouds, but enough sun for some great photos off Bullock Island, Lakes Entrance today.

 

 

Wednesday 24th August

 

A slightly chilly, windy day in town today, but not enough that the Walking With Friends group was not able to do a 5k circuit around town before coffee at “Vibez”  on the Esplanade.

Vibez is a great place to stop in for coffee (or something more)  Service is friendly and you are always greeted with a smiling welcome as you come in the door.  Coffee is excellent, served promptly and hot.  Atmosphere is pleasant with just the right amount of ambient noise so that you don’t feel you are sharing your conversation with the entire establishment, but not so noisy that you have trouble hearing your friends speaking on the other side of the table.  You get a cute little biscuit bear to enjoy with your coffee, and the pot of tea one of the ladies ordered, arrived with a hand made tea cosy!  It’s those little things that make for a great experience. Staff are friendly, premises is impeccably clean, and we love going there.  So a big “thank you” to the girls at Vibez!

 

 

 

 

Shared a coffee, chat and lots of laughs with the lovely ladies of the Walking Group, before heading around to the Supermarket for the weekly grocery shop.  As I’ve mentioned elsewhere,  the nice thing about shopping in Lakes Entrance is the friendly and helpful people you meet along the way.  A quick chat at the checkout, involving not only the girl on the cash register, but a whole line of people waiting as well,  no one fussing about having to wait in line, everyone chatting and sharing a laugh.   So nice!

Get all my groceries into the car (eventually, after doing battle with the slightly quirky alarm system on the Ranger) and finally think I can head for home.  But no,  I have forgotten that I need some things at the Chemist.  Lock the car again, wondering if my “frozens’”  with still be frozens when I get home,  I head back in to the Chemist.  Choosing the one in the arcade near the Supermarket as being the closest and most convenient, I go in.  I am greeted by a staff member, with a smile and a  “Can I help you?”  I resist the temptation to say  “ Only if you’re a psychiatrist”  and tell her what I am there for.  She is sweet and friendly and inquires if there will be anything else and assures me the wait will not be long.  She did not lie,  I did not even have time to wander the aisles before she was saying my things were ready and thanking me for shopping with them.  I proceed to the pay counter,  there is a hold up apparently, but I don’t mind it means I have a chance to stand still and simply wait and relax, however,  the staff member who is busy takes the time to alert another staff member that I am waiting, and she comes to serve me immediately,  again with a smile and light conversation.  I think what a great town we live in – MOST people are friendly and pleasant, and we are blessed to live in this amazing part of the world.

I leave the Chemist and start back to my car, but wait -  I wanted to get some Candles from the Reject Shop. I turn in that direction and approach the pedestrian crossing.  I see there is a car approaching, so I step back to allow them to go through, but the young man behind the wheel has already spotted me and signals me to go across.   I trot across the crossing, with a wave to say “ thanks”  and he calls out  “No worries mate”   I think what a great town we live in.

I go to the Reject Shop, the young man who is stacking shelves turns with a smile and says  G`day, moving his things out of the way so I can pass.  I thank him and he says  “ no worries”  I find the things I am looking for and the same young man serves me at the Register  “ Have you had a nice day”  he inquires as he’s processing my articles ,  “ Busy”  I reply, thinking how nice it is that the young ones take a moment to speak to their older customers.  I thank him as he hands me my bag of purchases, and he tells me to enjoy the rest of my day.   I leave thinking  yet again, what a great town we live in.

I head back to my car through the arcade.  There are about a dozen young ones on scooters in the alley way, just milling around talking and laughing together.  One of them does not see me and almost hits me with his scooter, one of his mates admonishes him to “ watch out for the lady”  I say “ No problems, but thanks” to him and he grins, a happy open blue eyed grin.  Again I think,  I love living here.

I arrive at my car, again do battle with my quirky alarm system, and get into the car.  I’m watching two young high school students approaching. One of them looks up at me with a frown, and I think what a shame she’s looking so cross, she’s such a pretty girl.  She looks away, but then looks back at me and nods and smiles to acknowledge that I waited for them to pass in front before moving my car.   I think how nice it was that she smiled and bothered to thank me silently for waiting for them.    It takes but a moment to acknowledge another human being, to even silently with nothing more than a smile, thank someone for a small gesture, and I thought how lovely it was that she did that.  Obviously her parents have raised her well.

As I move away from my parking spot, I’m thinking about how a simple gesture, a smile, a wave, catching someone’s eye and nodding even,  can make such a big difference to someone’s day.  We never know what another person may be going through, what pain they may be feeling, perhaps the loss of someone dear to them,  the problems of a wayward child, perhaps (God forbid) the death of a child, and yet that simple human contact, can be powerful, healing and wonderful.  

It is a special thing about this town, that mostly people are not rushed, not dashing from one place to another, only to dash to another place.  We are living our lives at a slower, more relaxed pace and we have the time to really SEE each other, to acknowledge each other, and to hopefully,  by a simple gesture of kindness, make a difference to someone’s day.

That all being said, I know there is a darker side to the town too, as there is in any town or community.  Where there is goodness, pleasantness and hope, there is also badness, unpleasantness and pain.  I know there is a drug problem here, just like in other small country towns.  There will always be vultures who prey on the vulnerable and the weak for profit.  There will always be those who want to tear down what others have built,  that’s just the way of the world.  I am not such a dreamer that I don’t see the bad with the good, but I try to see the good, even in the bad.  I try to see hope rather than hopelessness.  Maybe I’m naïve, but I believe there is some spark of good in most people ( I am also worldly wise enough to know that some people are just evil and should not be allowed to be part of our society)  but as a general rule, I think there is good in most people, a wish to be liked and loved and accepted.

As I drive out of town, leisurely at the wonderful 40ks an hour that is the limit all through town,  I am amazed that most people seem to have already left the town and gone home.  I look at my watch and discover it’s 4:30.  The school Mum’s have picked up their offspring from the local schools,  the older children have left their schools and are either with friends or have gone home.  There are a few cars at the pool,  and I think what a nice way to end the day, with a swim in the warm waters of the pool.  There is very little traffic as I leave the town speed restriction behind and travel at a heady 60ks an hour up the hill.  Glancing in my rear vision mirror I see a car coming up out of the town, obviously doing far more than the 60ik an hour allowance, he roars up behind me, almost crossing the white line, impatiently waiting until he can pass me, although I’m doing the limit already.   As soon as the road divides out to two lanes, he roars around me and powers off up the hill, well over the limit, and I feel sorry for him, that he needs to be in such a rush, and is missing the glorious colors of the evening sky.   Did he see the Echidna, slowly making it’s way across the road?  He must have almost run over it, yet he did not slow down.  I think to myself, What’s the rush?  Life is so very short, it will be over before you know it, and here you are tearing headlong as though you are chased by the devil himself.  So to the young man  behind the wheel of that black Mazda, screaming out of town tonight, slow down darling, you’ll be safer, other road users will be safer, and you just might find  that sticking to the speed limit actually does get you to your destination on time, and not in a coffin.

I turn off the highway onto our road, and I relax knowing I am almost home.  What a magical word that is  “home” .   There are many views of what home might mean, but to me, home is where my husband is, where I have chosen to live my life, by his side.   As I negotiate the curves, I’m thinking that the only thing that would make this life more perfect would be to have my children and grandchildren living here with us.   I feel the prick of tears in my eyes as I think of my family, and as I make the last few turns to arrive in my street,  I let my feelings have free reign, but only momentarily, for I refuse to be unhappy, and I know that the times we can have with them all, are wonderful and special because of the separation.   Sometimes in life, you make hard decisions, decisions that hurt but must be made.  You make memories with your children, and then memories with your grandchildren, and you hope that those memories will outlive you, that when you are gone, your children and grandchildren will remember and share the memories you all made together, it is part of the legacy you will leave behind.

I arrive at my home, and I see my husband is waiting for me, smiling slightly.  I sigh, but it is a happy, contented sigh,  I am home!

Happy Dance

 

Bullock Island, Lakes Entrance. August 23 2016

A compilation of video shot off Bullock Island this afternoon.

Bullock Island, August 22, 2016

 

 

Went out to Bullock Island for a look see at what might be happening.  We did see a seal quite near the island, but every time I got the camera up and focussed, he disappeared again!  I’m certain they know that you are trying to film them!

 

 

Storm clouds looking threatening, but amounting to nothing

 

We saw the Survey vessel  heading out.

 

Victoria Police Boat - off Bullock Island

Getting a wave from VicPol this afternoon 

Monday August 22 2016

 

Storm clouds all around today, but very little rain so far.  Quite spectacular with the sun shining directly on the clouds

 

 

Loving Lakes Entrance

 

There are lots of things I love about this town, and about living here in this beautiful place,  but what I love most are the people of Lakes Entrance.   I would like to do a series of photos, following the trend of the “People of New York” series called the  “People of Lakes Entrance”  to try to capture the diversity of people who live here.  But photos don’t tell the whole story, they capture but a moment in a lifetime.  Everyone has a story, it would take a lifetime to record everyone’s story, but I would love to try!

You have to admit that there are those with the “small town mentality” that seems impossible to break, not only here, but in all small towns I think.  Particularly prevalent amongst those who have lived their whole lives in a small town, or the majority of their lives in a small town, most especially if it’s been only one town.  It’s like they get “closed in”  by the environment of a particular area, and are no longer capable of seeing anything different or new.  I am not saying that everyone who has lived in a small town all their lives has this mind set,  certainly not,  I am simply observing a fact.

That being said, there are many new people coming to live here, not only retirees, and there certainly has been a wave of those recently, but also young people, perhaps trying a “sea change” or simply choosing to bring up their children in a safer, cleaner and healthier environment.   We are also seeing  “old” businesses being bought by younger people, who are bringing new life and breath not only to the businesses, but to the town as well.  I love that young people are committing to the town, and setting about to make a life and living for themselves here, thereby enriching the town and it’s culture for all of us.

There are others who have run businesses here for years, people who have dedicated their lives to the tourist industry and who are still, after many years doing so,  enthusiastic about promoting the area and all it has to offer.  There are those whose small businesses do well during the holiday seasons, but who struggle in the off season,  but they stay on,  patiently, stoically almost, because they love the town and can’t see themselves anywhere but here.

When you go shopping in the town, it can take a long time sometimes, because everyone wants to chat, particularly during the “off”  season, when the tourists have gone home and it’s just “us locals” around.  In the Supermarkets, people will stop and chat whether they know you or not,  people will help each other, and most people will say  “gday” or simply smile when you catch their eye.  As a country girl from a small rural town, living in the city for many years, I had forgotten this aspect of small town life, and I’ve rediscovered the pleasure of knowing  and being known.  Of course, this aspect of small town life can be an aggravation for the young people,  being known can get you in trouble if you step out of line.  No big city anonymity in a small country town! 

We love seeing tourists in the town, they are the life blood for many businesses, and we encourage them to come and stay in our beautiful little town.  What gets me going though, is when people do come, and show such disrespect and lack of consideration, speeding through the town for instance.  We know that 40 seems slow to you city folks, but here it’s the norm and not only that, it’s the law,  so please, slow down, obey the speed restrictions, you’ll get there safer and really, a few minutes here or there does not matter, after all you’re supposed to be on holidays!    Dumping rubbish is another thing that I really find hard to understand!  Why come to enjoy the beauty of our sea-side heaven, and dump your rubbish everywhere?  How hard is it to take your rubbish to a bin, especially along the foreshore and park areas that are enjoyed by everyone?   It is bewildering to me, that people come here for a holiday, but rush around as though the town is on fire, pushing their way ahead in the Supermarket ( I actually had one woman physically push me out of the way so she could go ahead of me in the line at the register,  if she had only realised, I had actually stepped back to let her go ahead of me anyway, since I was not in a rush to go anywhere!)  Surely you go on holiday to relax, unwind, enjoy some  “down time” with your family, if you are pushing and shoving and rushing all around, what is the value of a holiday?

But then, of course, human nature is a strange thing!  How absolutely wonderful that we are so different!  How boring would the world be if we were all the same, clones of the one model?    As I get older, I realise that I am not going to change the world, I am not going to be the bringer (is that even a word?) of some newer better thing,  I am simply me,  a small pebble on the beach of life, hopefully bringing some pleasure and joy to the lives of those I know and care for, and making some precious memories with my family.    Perhaps that is one of the most precious things we can give to the world we inhabit, pleasure, joy and happiness to those we know,  a good example before others, especially the children,  respect for all and  love, acceptance and wise guidance to the family we cherish.   Would that change the world, if we all endeavored to live by that creed?  I am sure it would.

There are those who live here, and only find things to complain about, for those of us who have chosen to come here and embrace the town and the lifestyle, it’s a little slice of heaven right here on earth, our very own  “sea change”  and the ideal retirement destination.   Here you can as involved as you like, or not involved at all.  You can choose to become a part of the community, or to stand apart from it, but Lakes Entrance will find a place in your heart like no other town I know!

So, if you do live here, make the most of it, contribute to it, bring your own special talents to it,  but don’t come here and complain about it, we don’t want to know!   If you don’t love it, leave it, move on, find your place elsewhere.  And if you’re visiting our town, do so with respect and with consideration for  “the locals”  you are visiting OUR town!

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Paddle Steamer Curlip

Great news for the Curlip!

Purple Hats

 

If you live in Lakes Entrance, you are likely to see a whole group of ladies wearing purple hats meeting in the town. We are the Lakes Entrance Purple Hat Society meeting monthly in town.   Today we went to MMM Truffles, on the Esplanade, and  had a wonderful time.

MMM Truffles is a unique little coffee shop, with a wonderful olde worlde charm.  The coffee is excellent and the service impeccable.

The ladies enjoyed the day, participating in a “game” of  “Two truths and a lie” where we write down two true things and one lie about ourselves, and the rest of the group have to guess, via questioning, which is the lie.  Hilariously funny and a great way to get to know each other a little better.

The rain didn’t spoil our day, although we had to cover our heads and hats to get back to our cars.  I had put purple color in my hair, so could not let it get wet for fear of ending up with purple streaks down my face!  Not a good look!

 

If you would like any further information about our meetings, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

 

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Funny!

 

From Gippsland Fires and Floods Facebook Page

Video Footage of Dolphins from Lonsdale Eco Cruises

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From Lonsdale Eco Cruises Facebook Page

Saturday 20 August 2016

So with nothing further to do after several more cups of coffee, a trip into town seemed in order, despite the first signs of rain!

Town was relatively quiet, with the usual folks going about their usual business.  After a trip to the supermarket for some necessary supplies, a drive to Bullock Island proved interesting and exciting.

As we watched, dolphins began feeding just inside the Entrance, slowly moving toward Bullock Island.  The birds were quick to spot a free meal and were soon flocking to the area, jostling for position as the Dolphins brought fish to the surface.  We estimated about six dolphins in all, and one seal also quick to get in on the feeding action. Unfortunately all too far away for photos, so I decided to simply enjoy the spectacle through the binoculars and not try to photograph any of it. 

A quick message to Lonsdale Eco Cruises that the dolphins were around, and we soon saw the mighty Lonsdale come into view and swing out to the Entrance for a look,  getting a bit of a ride on the outgoing tide as they watched the action.  Check their Facebook page via the link above, as I'm sure they will be posting photos when they are back in port later today.  By the way, I highly recommend a cruise aboard the Lonsdale, informative and great fun, and of course, Mel serves the best scones around, always served with a generous dollop of cream! 

Lonsdale 

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Lots of pelicans and other water birds around, always looking for a quick and easy meal from Fishermen/women on the Island.

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Sea Safari Eco Tours "Explorer" also out and about today.

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What a spectacular place to live!  All of this and so much more, right on our doorsteps!  

Don't forget to check out our Facebook Page for more photos and videos and please give us a "like"

Gorgeous Gippsland

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Sunshine

Gorgeous sunny morning (for what's left of the morning) here in Lakes Entrance this morning, the sky is blue, the sea looks almost black from our front verandah, as I sit in a place out of the wind that is rustling the trees near me. There are clouds drifting lazily across, so perhaps my sunshine will be short lived! What to do with the day? Let's start with another cup of coffee and take it from there!

Friday August 19th

Well a bit of a "mixed bag" weather wise in Lakes Entrance today.  Started off sunny, turned dull as big gray clouds rolled across the sky, the sun broke through again, making the clouds look even darker and more spectacular, and finally it rained.

Right about then was when the power went off and we were plunged into pitch blackness!  Thank goodness for mobile phones with torches in them!  Since your mobile is never far from you, of course, you always also have a light.

Power was only off for a short time, just long enough for us to find candles and lanterns and get them going while we went around turning off power points on technology so as not to get "spiked" when it all comes back on.  Mentally telling myself that I should have bought those extra surge protectors!

Power back on and the house surges back to life, a few moments of concern as the modem doesn't immediately leap back into action, but eventually a row of green lights tells me all is well and I am connected to the world again.  Television springs into life, frightening the life out of me!

Didn't get out to take any photos today, but did discover a new site that lists all your social networks in one place, so anyone looking for our sites can find it all at one URL, check it out HERE

Also put together a new website Gorgeous Gippsland - why?  Just for the fun of it!  LOL!!!  Have a look at it and let me know what you think?  Oh and feel free to comment on any of my posts here, would love to hear from you, at least then I would know I have at least one reader! 

And now, back to my book! 

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The Face behind the blog

The face behind the blog - Wendy

Some of the wild life from Mallacoota

Along the side of the road, we found this fellow scratching around with a couple of fairy wrens ( remember you can click on any photo to see the original sized photo)

These guys have taken up residence at the local Golf Course

Scenic shots from Mallacoota today

Lots of photo opportunities in this pretty place

Live from Mallacoota today

More From Mallacoota

Mallacoota today

Today we decided to make a trip up to Mallacoota.  It was a lovely warm and sunny day, and Mallacoota is a wonderful quiet and friendly place.  We enjoyed exploring along the water front, a lovely hot Pastie from the Bakery with a wonderful cup of coffee, and a drive around to see the sights.    

We fuelled up at the local Servo, where we were served at the pumps, and given the name of a place to get a coffee - Cafe 54 in the main street.  We went there, the lovely ladies were friendly, and although they were packing up to close for the day, they told us not to hurry and to enjoy our coffees, which we did. 

We would have to say that overall Mallacoota is a great place to visit - we thought everything was very well set up for tourists, people we contacted were friendly and informative about their local area.   

There are some great places to visit, along the waterfront.  I'll post up some photos that we took at Bastion Point in a little while.

Wednesday 17th August

And yet another fabulous day in our fabulous town. 

 The sun was shining, and although the wind was a little chilly, especially near the water, it was a joy to walk along the waterfront, and enjoy a coffee at "Hmm.... Truffles"  on the Esplanade. People are generally very friendly as you wander along the Esplanade, and will give you a "G'day" and pass the time of day with you. 

If you are in town and looking for a friendly, relaxed place to have a coffee, try Truffles the atmosphere is intimate, old worlde charm, the music is at just the right volume to be background and not interfere with conversation.   The coffee is excellent and the chocolate perfect!  What better way to spend an hour or so?   I highly recommend it!

Fabulous day in Lakes Entrance today

Bullock Island boat watching. 

Quick visit to both Lake Bunga and Lake Tyers.  Bunga is very full and Lake Tyers is open to the sea.



See the photos here

Absolutely fantastic day here in Lakes Entrance today - beautiful warm sunshine for the whole day.  I believe the temperature may have got as high as 21 - a hint perhaps of things to come!

August 10 2016 - Marlo

Stoney Creek Trestle Bridge, August 10 2016