Made it to Melbourne! I understand that the students at one Seattle high school have been provided with my less than stellar blogging skills/site for evidence of how not to manage your e-journaling! Alas, there's no pleasing some teachers, but do feel I left several of my readers behind with the two week hiatus-what can I say, wine and wildlife lured me away, that, and the fact that finding petrol is more of a priority than internet acess in the outback!  The Australian Open just started yesterday, here in Melbourne, and before you could even find a seat, Ol' V. Williams was back on the plane for 'Merica and sis Serena barely eeked it out against China's Na Li.  I am comfortably viewing the events on the telly in the Yarra Valley Wine Region. It's all wine country in southern Oz! Thanks to the generous hospitality of winemakers, Phil and Al Sexton; I've been toured around, treated to fabulous libation and cuisine, and even been flown over the valley in Phil's open cockpit bi-plane-a very special way to see the region! Am at a crossroads at the moment, whether to go to Tasmania or stay on the mainland to watch the Golden Globes! Well, truth be told, I'm hesitating the hop to Tazzie because the temps are down to the 60s over there-trauma, I don't want to lose my tan! Can't say I've ever had to worry about that in January before. Well, things are winding down, as I only have 10 days left to my journey, and somewhere between now and when I leave, I would sure like to sell the Aussie Pulse-she's been a fine ride, and I hope someone else will accept a new adventure with her- I know she's up to it! Mark your calendars-Aussie Day is just around the corner, January 26th. A lovely time for all of the country to BBQ some of those foul Aus-a-sages( The equally respected meatpie is a different story, can't get enough of them buggers!), and fondly remember all the convict ancestors who were left to rot on the island in the late eighteenth century!  Now, that's a holiday! Cheers!

I've really gotten lax at this blog entry thing, haven't I?!! My apologies, again. Has been busy since the new year came in. I left Alice for Uluru on New Year's Day and basked in the magic of the rock for a few days. I followed storm clouds into the park on my journey down from Alice Springs and thought that would make for a less spectacular visit.  When I first started to walk around the base of the rock, a fierce wind blew in and the rain began.  I took cover in a little rocky overhang, thinking this was bad timing when I realized the walls of the cave had Aboriginal paintings on them which were very interesting, and as I turned from checking them out I noticed giant spouts of rain water coming down off the rock- really beautiful! The heat was pretty heavy duty in that part of the country. Moved south to the "Opal Capital of Australia" , Coober Pedy, where they live underground to avoid the heat. It's also an excuse to dig out a home in the city limits and accidentally find opals  that you technically can't mine for in town, but there are plenty of mines, rock piles, and deep holes all around the town- everyone trying to find their fortune. Claims are only $50 for a 50m x 50m plot, thought about trying my luck, but my bulldozing skills are slipping. I found some little opal flakes in the tourist "fossicking/noodling" ( They let you sift through what's already been processed.) piles. Moved on to the southern part of South Australia, all the way down to Kangaroo Island, a very beautiful place to explore wildlife-koalas, sea lions, wallabies, lizards, and, of course, kangaroos( which gave their name to the island because they were the main source of protein to the sailors/outlaws who use to hang out there). Hit the Barossa Valley- the oldest wine country in Oz and plenty of very yummy wines to show for it. In fact, there are too many wine regions in South Australia to explore-plus, there's plenty in Victoria, too. Am headed to Victoria, now- Thg Great Ocean Road, Melbourne, and maybe pop over to Tasmania. Still trying to fit in everything! Hope all are well! Cheers!