30 Adelaide to Healesville and home 21 Nov 2012

We are at Seymour, having been recently in Healesville. We drove back from Wilson's Promontory with the GPS and it brought us across Gippsland and over the Yarra Ranges. The countryside of Victoria has been bathed in six months of rain and everything is pristine, ‘picture book’ beautiful. We wanted to photograph it all - so beautiful.

We had a breakdown in Vic (out in the beautiful farmland near Yambuk) due to a leaking Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve, resulting in lost radiator water and overheated engine, and had to be towed into Warrnambool (pop 30,000). We were thinking we did not need this, but unbeknown to us, we did. The Ford repair people fixed the car in two days. 

As we were leaving town we went to one of their partner companies to have the brakes checked on the van, after the tow. As we drove out of their premises there were four mighty bangs as we exited. The mechanics who had all been watching us leave, hopped under the van in double quick time to see what had happened. It had nothing to do with them, but the U bolts that hold the axles under the van had loosened and moved out of place and one of the axles had moved sideways, with one of the right hand wheels against the van wall. Had we continued with our drive to Geelong, (which is what we were doing), there would have been a catastrophic accident. We had no idea of course that the axles had come lose. So it was really good that we broke down in the Warrnambool region, because if we had not had that annoying break-down, we would never have found that our axles on the van were loose and coming adrift. Moral from this story: When things go terribly wrong and annoy you, there might be a very good reason for it, and it may save your life.

Warrnambool is fascinating. An old town that is totally loved by its residents. There are the wildest seas, islands with little penguins which are guarded by dogs, waterways and rivers. Highly recommended for a visit. We also found the most kind and helpful people there. There is also an old seafaring village which is exceptionally well done. It looks like the real thing to me. Most beautiful gardens and roses.

By God's grace, we eventually arrived in Geelong to see family and friends. After that we went to Melbourne to see Darlene’s family and then on to Wilsons Promontory. Unfortunately, it has been devastated by two bushfires and one massive flood. So it has had a lot of destruction and will take a long while to heal. The beautiful native animals seemed to be largely gone. Two hundred and fifty people had to be air-lifted in the sudden flood and had to leave behind their cars, vans, offices. There are marvellous beaches there, such an interesting place. We found one Echidna and a colourful kangaroo, who had a good look at us.

It is a tonic to see the beauty here at the moment. We have certainly never seen Victoria look like this before. So do come and have a look. The roses and rhododendrons are out - the place is a total picture.

Hope to catch up with further family this week, and then we should soon be back at our starting place - Tumbi Umbi. Who said "adventure"?