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Sunday, May 22, 2011

A few days away...


"The Balconies" Grampians National Park

Last month we hit the road for a ten day holiday at Lake Fyans in the beautiful Grampians National Park, in the western district of Victoria. Unfortunately we didn't get to see The Balconies or any of the lookouts, waterfalls and touristy places as the area suffered major landslip in January after a huge storm swept through, causing damage to walking tracks and roads.  Boulders as tall as a house smashed through roads. However, we did visit Hall's Gap and got as far as Lake Bellfield by road.  

The Grampians feature a striking series of sandstone mountain ranges. The ranges were named in 1836 by Surveyor General of New South Wales Sir Thomas Mitchell after the Grampian Mountains in his native Scotland, but are also known by the name Gariwerd, from one of the local Australian Aboriginal languages, either the Jardwadjali or Djab Wurrung language.  Wikipedia


Our friends' touring home 
with boat up ahead 


The little 2-bedroom cabin we stayed in


View from cabin


Grampians in distance


Mike in his pontoon boat


Flower on the foreshore
haven't found what it is


Hall's Gap shops
- all were flooded 3 months earlier
and the picnic area washed away


View from Lake Bellfield wall




Still fishing...

Tomorrow we're heading off 'overseas' again; actually it's a bit of a joke here in Australia, we say 'OS' when flying to Tasmania, which is a little less than an hour away over Bass Strait.  We'll only be away four days; hope the weather is kind, it's a lot colder over there.  I'll bring home photos.  

11 comments:

steven said...

alaine you are so lucky!!! steven

alaine@éclectique said...

Steven...no matter where we live, I think we all lucky to be able to get outside and experience nature's beauty and wildlife. I know you do so.

Maison de lin said...

Hello Alaine,

Thats look beautiful and so quiet.
You are lucky.

Have a nice sunday
Jérôme

alaine@éclectique said...

Jérôme...it was very peaceful up there. Thank you, my Sunday's nearly over and time to retire!

Betsy Brock said...

What a relaxing setting! Some of your pictures look like they could be postcards. The little cabin is charming, too!

I love the trees in that view from the great bellfield wall. Lovely!

Wanda..... said...

Very lovely place for a holiday, Alaine... the tourism photo of "The Balconies" is spectacular!

lvroftiques said...

Beautiful beautiful spot Alaine! I love seeing it thru your eyes. Vanna

LaPouyette said...

Dear Alaine,
What a wonderful country side! Would love to visit 'your' part of the world one day....
Lovely, interesting and 'lively' photos! Thank you for taking us with you!
Looking forward to the next reportage!
Many greetings from the Périgord,
karin

P.S. Sorry, to visit your blog rather late and not left any comments recently. So many things happen here, unexpected guests, family etc. Just try to catch up today with all my readers. And still battling with the technic on my blog. To write a post takes me ages!

Pierre BOYER said...

Great pictures !
Thanks a lot to share...
Enjoy your day !

Pierre

alaine@éclectique said...

Thank you Pierre, Karin, Vanna, Wanda and Betsy! We're back from Tasmania and that's another post!

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Love that last shot!! beautiful..xx