Another day in Oz has come, And finally, a half way decent sleep... after a few Advil Night-aids and an electronic heating blanket to warm up my frozen parts - aka all of me - then just blissful sleep, beautiful really... Morning came easy and quick as I rose and joined Uncle D in the kitchen for some cereal and toast and jam and a few chapters of my e-book.
Question?...
Think about what you see when you look out of the window in the morning......... Now what is it? Pigeons, geese, ducks, nothing? Well I woke to squawking, I had thought that it was simply in my head and therefore I got on with breakfast but as I read my book it came again and in reflex I turned to see 3 Sulpher-crested cockatoos wondering over the roof of the shed in the backyard looking for seeds from the pigeons. When was the last time I woke up and saw Cockatoos or anything other then say a pigeon or a goose out the window - or a dog more accurately - well Mum and Pop... when was the last time we were here as a family and I undoubtedly ran in to tell everyone scaring them off - which is precisely what I did this morning, which then prompted us to create a somewhat duck-blind out of the curtain in the living room just to grab a few photos of the beauties (well worth it!).
As the morning dragged on we decided that the house work was done and we could head out into town and into Healesville for a great day as it turns out despite a little bit of rain and some cold air pushing around.
We went to lunch in central Healesville at the "Harvest Café" which is a little box of a restaurant with fresh new sandwiches, salads and sweets each day. After a very delicious Ham and Cheese on a croissant we were off and going. The rain came in a little but by the time we had taken the short trip to the outskirts of Healesville to the "Healesville Santuary" the rain had stopped and we gathered our cameras and coats towards the entrance.
What's the first thing you think of when you think of an Australia animal sanctuary? Koalas... We luckily arrived just as a presentation was starting and new Gum leaves were being placed in the enclosures so we got a great show! Meeting 3 very friendly and open Koala's as well as getting a glimpse of 3 more that decided not to come down for a visit. The presentation was very interesting and the changing of the gum leaves proved to be a beautiful turn of events as he 3 koala's came out for a nice meal. One older one was a very friendly and old slow koala who had been with the Sanctuary for a long time, she was beautiful and proved to be a very camera ready little bear. Next we passed onto the next enclosure where we found 2 koala's up front and center ready for "hello's" and camera shots, we stayed for a while and spent time admiring the friendly and goofy nature of the bears. The feeding and new gum leaves brought a lot of excitement and it was a great to see the bears get up and show some life instead of simply sleeping among the gum leaves, up high near the skies.
For all who may not know: The birds-of-prey presentation no matter in what zoo or sanctuary in whatever town, city and country, is my very Favorite! I love how the birds can fly through the air with ease and amazing pride and grace. Today the show proved to be a lot more interesting as a wild raptor passed overhead competing with the beautiful captivity raptor that was on show to us all, because of this it seemed "Beatrice" the captive raptor was in 'fight mode' and as the wild bird swooped in they tried to have a go at it. Luckily - due to the ages in attendance - there was gap between them and they did not actually get into a good bloody scrap over territory which was a better turnout then having a bloody battle between two extremely violent and large birds, but it did prove to be a little of a scare either way.
After the beautiful bird of prey presentation a man came out and did a presentation with a diggery-doo as well as a boomerang, he mastered throwing and catching it as it whirled above the crowd.... Seems that my attempts over the last 21 years have failed in comparison! But either way he was a very interesting and very entertaining man to say the least.We headed for the shop and in turn the exit, and after a few goofy photos by the entrance statue and a new Aussie hat that would make my Pops very proud we headed for home.
It seemed the day was over as I sat alone in the back seat and read the 24th Footrot Flats, but as we headed down the hills Uncle D suggested that we stop into a winery for a quick wine tasting and a little enjoyment before we headed home for tea. Rochford winery is a beautiful place, apparently in the summer months - as Uncle D was telling me - they have an amphitheatre where they have names such as Rod Steward and Mike Finn and etc and where spectators can come and buy snacks and food as well as wine and other drinks and sit in the grass and watch the performers, due to winter months it is obviously closed but they are building a new and improved amphitheatre which I'm sure will be a gorgeous improvement to the scene and the crowds. After a little wine tasting - of wonderful wine might I add - as well as the purchase of a few trinkets and yes a present for you D, we gathered back into the car, I took up my Footrots again and we headed home for tea really this time.
So as the smell from the kitchen of Master Chef Camilla rise through the house and our mouths begin to water we sit joking and talking over a cold beer and the days events I am reminded dearly of my family as we sit just like this while the smell of another Grange's cooking takes over our trains of thought and of course of my father who is reflected so strongly in his beautiful sister and my wonderful Aunt. I may miss home but this is home also, just a little farther South.
All for now. Cheers,
-A.G
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