30th May – Saturday
Very cold morning in Horsham but clear skies – quite a relief to get into the Pajero with its climate control! The first part of the journey was still very flat with grain crops but this eventually changed to sheep country and a few minor hills (or bumps, rather). We followed the Grampians for quite a while, and the sun was just right to highlight the rock formations. The countryside around Hamilton looked very prosperous with the beautiful green paddocks and well-fed merino sheep. This quickly changed to tree plantations of Tasmanian blue gum, with the odd pine plantation. This whole area is covered with plantations!
Arrived at Mt Gambier shortly after lunch – jet lagged of course, with the half hour time change!!! The caravan park is next to the lakes, which are a lovely grey colour at this time of the year. There are lots of walks around the lakes and would be a lovely place to spend some time, if it wasn’t so COLD. Cat was quite content to stay inside out of the wind.
We visited the information centre for some directions and discovered a replica of the Lady Nelson outside. When I asked the lady why the Lady Nelson was at Mt Gambier, she immediately asked if I was from Hobart. I gather that everyone from Hobart asks the same question. The answer, of course, is that the master of this ship saw the mountain when sailing past (the sea is 30 kms away) and named it Gambier’s Mountain.
After this it was on to the Umpherston Sink Hole – a sink hole which has been turned into a garden. Very impressive, even at this time of the year. We climbed down the stairs to the bottom, took some photos and them climbed back up.
Then it was a short drive into the country (and more plantations!) to visit seedEnergy and meet Di and Andy. A very nice couple who showed us around the property and seed orchard.
Very cold morning in Horsham but clear skies – quite a relief to get into the Pajero with its climate control! The first part of the journey was still very flat with grain crops but this eventually changed to sheep country and a few minor hills (or bumps, rather). We followed the Grampians for quite a while, and the sun was just right to highlight the rock formations. The countryside around Hamilton looked very prosperous with the beautiful green paddocks and well-fed merino sheep. This quickly changed to tree plantations of Tasmanian blue gum, with the odd pine plantation. This whole area is covered with plantations!
Arrived at Mt Gambier shortly after lunch – jet lagged of course, with the half hour time change!!! The caravan park is next to the lakes, which are a lovely grey colour at this time of the year. There are lots of walks around the lakes and would be a lovely place to spend some time, if it wasn’t so COLD. Cat was quite content to stay inside out of the wind.
We visited the information centre for some directions and discovered a replica of the Lady Nelson outside. When I asked the lady why the Lady Nelson was at Mt Gambier, she immediately asked if I was from Hobart. I gather that everyone from Hobart asks the same question. The answer, of course, is that the master of this ship saw the mountain when sailing past (the sea is 30 kms away) and named it Gambier’s Mountain.
After this it was on to the Umpherston Sink Hole – a sink hole which has been turned into a garden. Very impressive, even at this time of the year. We climbed down the stairs to the bottom, took some photos and them climbed back up.
Then it was a short drive into the country (and more plantations!) to visit seedEnergy and meet Di and Andy. A very nice couple who showed us around the property and seed orchard.
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