Happy Birthday Rosemary - June 26,2007

Today was Rosemary's birthday. We had a small gathering at a local restaurant. Grandma, Howard, Barb, Mick, Greg and I attended. It was a lovely evening.

This necklace Barb found at a market she shopped at. It is made with genuine freshwater pearls.

Ro wearing her new tiera... Doesn't it look beautiful?

This is the gift that Greg and I gave her. We took several pictures of Buddy, her puppy and put them in a nice frame.

Top left: Greg, Natalie and Mick

Bottom left: Howard, Grandma and Ro

Top left: Greg, Barb and Mick

Bottom left: Howard, Grandma and Ro

Melbourne With Larry - June 21, 2007

Larry took us into Melbourne today. Three of his four step children live in Melbourne and the youngest, Victoria, has only been here for two months. We decided to visit here and hire her as our guide as she had the day off school.

This is where Victoria lives with three other people. The building was built in 1883 and was the first Salvation Army in Melbourne.

This is the park across the road from Victoria's flat. She is only a two minute walk from downtown. It's a very nice, clean city.

This is where they dropped lead and made bullets for the war. It is located in Melbourne Central which is now a train station as well as a mall.

This is where you will find Ned Kelly's suit of armour. This is the Melbourne Library. We were too late to see the armour as it closes at 5pm. Beautiful old buildings though. This is located right in the downtown.

This is a free Tram that has an automated tour around Melbourne. It gave brief decriptions of places of interest. It was very interesting and gave us a nice feel for the city and what it has to offer.

To The Bush With Larry We Go - June 20, 2007

Last Wednesday uncle Larry asked us if we wanted to see where he logged in the bush. Fortunately for us he had the day off due to rain so we got a first hand look at the ins and outs of logging the the beauty of the terrain.

This machine is called "The Processor." It is used as sort of a "super mulcher"

The Processor's "claws." The trees most sought after are Ash. They produce the best wood for lumber.

This was an area that was logged year. The area logged is burned afterwards to help stimulate new growth.

The likeness of this area is not unlike that of a area burned by bushfires. Larry spent more time fighting fires last summer than logging trees.

This machine knocks a tree down with one hit. Loggers still cut trees with chain saws however obviously these machines are much more efficient.

Natalie pretending to operate the machine.

Natalie operating the machine with the assistance of Larry.

Waterfall in bush that runs through Middle Tyers Creek

Mick and Larry relaxing after a good Canadian meal. Natalie and I made Canadian Chili for Mick, Trish and Larry. Good eats, good wine, good times had by all.

Australian slang

For the inquisitive and/or for future reference to understand some of our blog entries, Natalie and I have decided to give a quick lesson in Australian slang.

So here goes:

billabong: a water hole in a dried up riverbed
bloke: man

bloody hell: damn
boomer: very large male kangaroo
bottle shop: liquor store
buckley’s: No chance at all

bugger: pain in the ass
chewie: Bubble gum
crack the shits: lose your temper

crazy canuck: Natalie or Greg

dingo at my baby: not funny here...
g’day: obviously good day
good on ya: well done
'ow you goin'?: A very slurred fast version of How's it going? A standard greeting
lollies: candy
mate: friend, or a general term of familiarity
no worries: no problem or that’s ok
pot: a glass of beer (roughly a half pint)
reckon: you bet!
root: sex!

root master: Greg
she’ll be right: no problem, no worries
slab of beer: case (two dozen beer)
Ute: short for utility, a pick up truck

Gumbuya Park - Saturday, June 16, 2007

Saturday we visited Gumbuya Park with Howard, Barb and Jessica. The park offers visitors a look at the crazy Emu, along with a variety of other birds, Dingos and of course the Kangaroo. The Kangaroos are wild and come and go as they please.

The ugly Emu. Or as Jessica put it, dirty Emu. Is it really ugly? Greg thinks it's cute while Natalie believes it is ugly. You be the judge.

Although wild, the kangaroos have been domesticated enough to take bread from your hands. Notice in the background there is a fence. It is not to keep the kangaroos in, but to protect them from the freeway that is just on the other side of the fenced area.

Holy &*%*%. It's coming straight for us!

The Kangaroos are not sure what to make of these two Canadians. Should we run? Should we attack?

This one had a boxing match with Greg. Check out the nose. Yeah Greg got one good shot in before Kanga kicked his butt. Check out those claws. Ouch.

Big Papa Roo as Natalie called him. He looked to be the leader and stood roughly 7ft tall.

Licking her chops after eating a yummy piece of bread. Take a look at her pouch. Inside is a little Joey.

Count how many Kangaroos you can see. Thirteen, including the funny looking one dressed in pink. Little Jessica tried, however unsuccessfully to join the pack.

Natalie and a beautiful Kangaroo.

Me first, no me first... Natalie bombarded by Kangaroos as she hands out her mobile number. Possibly it was bread, however Big Papa Roo wasn't all that happy.

Some Kangaroos actually let us pet them. What a fantastic feeling. Very similar to sheep's wool, however it is a finer texture and slightly more dense.

Once again it is nice to see the animals in their natural habitat. Thanks to Howard, Barb and Jessica for a wonderful day.

Grand Ridge Brewery - June 14, 2007

We decided to go to a local brewery called, Grand Ridge Brewery for a taste of a local Australian beer. Located in Mirboo North, roughly 40 minutes from Moe, the brewery has won several international and many Australian awards for excellence.

We first tried the sampler, which came in a pretty cool wooden tray with the six styles that were on tap. We tried the Brewers Pilsner, Gippsland Gold, Yarra Valley Gold, Hatlifter Stout, Natural Blonde and Moonlite.

Greg's favourites were the Natural Blonde and Moonlite. Moonlite was only 3.3% however everything else was 4.9%

Natalie's favourites were Natural Blonde and Gippsland Gold.

The Natural Blonde was similar to Hogarden in that it had a orangy (if that is a word) aftertaste. The moonlite had a sort of nutty favour while the Gold was similar to a lot of Australian bitters.

Ready, set, go. Who can drink the six samplers quicker?

After six sampler trays and a little table dancing Natalie was still standing... What did she win?

A ride through town on the local Wombat.

Ok maybe not. After all we are responsible Canadians and since we are still getting used to driving in the opposite side of the road Natalie was gracious enough to drive while Greg tried the beer... He did dance on tables and won the ride down town on a wombat. Good times!

G'Day Canada. We've been hanging out getting to know the Aussies

Hello everyone.

Natalie and I are doing well here in Australia. It's been a wonderful experience to get to know and spend time with Natalie's family.

Mick, Natalie and I went out last Friday night to experience some of the local night life at a place called Ryans. We actually didn't get there until 2am. The funny thing is most pubs do not close until 6am so we still had plenty of time to live it up. Well I can't remember that last time I have seen so many drunks in one place. Ok, maybe at our wedding. But at our wedding I didn't have to say to a dozen different blokes, "she's my wife." But after performing the robot and the "Jim Carrey Thrust" we were accepted and enjoyed copious amounts of beer and song.

Then we were entertained by Chelsea, Kristy, Troy, Mick and a little Carlton Draught on Sunday. (Monday was Australia's Victoria Day Holiday, aptly called The Queens Birthday.) We went to the local footy club for their annual fundraiser which included free beer and burgers for two hours. Which is trouble in any country. Australians are very similar to Canadians in that they are very easy going and like to have a good time.

Tomorrow we are heading to a local brewery for a tour of from what we have been told award winning beer. I'll be the judge of that!

Then probably Friday we are off to see an old gold mining town.

Updates with photos soon.

Carpe Diem

G & N