King Hut, Craigs Hut, Mt Stearling

We woke late and had a relaxed morning.  About 10am we decided to head out for a trip up to Craigs Hut.  Along King Saddle track we crossed the river 5 times. The river crossings can be very deceiving they look much shallower then they are, none were too deep but deeper then we thought.

We first stopped at King Hut for a quick photo and look around.  Then we pushed onto Craigs Hut.  As we climbed the tracks the views were amazing we stopped and took a photo of the group with the Mountains in the back drop.  We arrived at Craigs hut around 11.30am and it was such an amazing feeling to the area.  It was cool in the wind but the air was incredibly fresh.  We soaked up the atmosphere took photos and explored around the hut.

We then did our first Black Diamond track up Stirling Mt to the summit.  It was steep and rough in patched but the convoy had no problems traversing it.  We climbed to 1746 meters and the view from the top was incredible.  There we not many things around us that were higher than we were.  We could see Mt Buller and Mansfield and several mountain ranges.  We took photos and decided that we would push on down to Howqua Gap for lunch.  The track out was just as good only we were going downhill now and gravity helps.

We pulled into Howqua Gap and we all made lunch had a look through the well used huts and caught up with a guy from the LROC club we had met at the last Khanafari.  He was here with just his family cruising around. 

We then turned our noses back to camp and made it back by 3pm.  The fire was built and relaxing was done and we had a great night around the fire.

Blowering Dam to Pineapple Flat via Mansfield.

The Convoy

Swimming at Pineapple Flat.

We woke early and packed up.  Most things were wet as it had bucketed down late yesterday and through the night. We managed to get everything in dry and ready to leave camp by 8.30am.  We hit the road and had a smooth run into Albury.

We met up with Matt, Mel, Lachlan and Laura first then not long after Ben and Lani showed up.  We exchanged greetings talked packing and equipment and hit the road by 12.15pm (YAY we were no time).  It was an easy quick run from here down to Mansfield.  We all fuelled up got last minutes supplies and headed for the mountains. 

We hit dirt aired down started taking photos and headed for camp.  Just as we were pulling into camp we were relaxed and happy and on time.  I had wanted all along to get to camp around 4pm and the clock said 3.55pm woo hoo love being on time.

Pineapple flat was busy but we managed to find a nice area toward the back with our own river access.  We made camp and it was not long before we were in the river cooling off.  The water was cool but once in it was very refreshing.

We had a very quiet night with all heading to bed early.

Victorian High Country - Christmas 2011, Day 2

Christmas day!!

We woke to the sound of birds chirping ah the wind had stopped and on taking a peek out the door oh man what a cracker of a day.  Almost no clouds in the sky a gentle breeze and birds happily flying about camp.

I laid in bed and read while James made coffee and then he spotted my Christmas gift from Santa.  Santa had left me 3 baby Emu’s they were right there 100mtrs from camp having a drink from the lake.  I decided that I really didn’t have room to keep them so I just took pictures instead.

We had a slow and relaxing morning having a cooked late breakfast then opened the gifts we had got each other and one from mum.

It’s now nearing to midday and we are just sitting back watching the world go by.  We wish each of our Families and Friends a Very Merry Christmas and we hope you are all having a super spectacular day.

Us2Martins relaxing through Christmas at Blowering Dam.

Victorian High Country Christmas 2011, Day 1.

Our tree so Santa finds us.

The first set up.

Camp under the trees.

Heading off!!!

We got packing just after we got up and were finished and showered and ready to leave with coffee in hand at 11am.  It was a little later then we had hoped but it didn’t matter not one little bit cause we were now in holiday mode.

Our first stop was to drop a little gift to Linda, Chris and Buzz they were not home so we left it on the door with our well wishes and headed for the Hammo’s place.  We were lucky they were just pulling in the drive as we did so we handed over our little gift said our final farewells and hit the road.  From here we stopped at Bundanoon servo for fuel and a sambo for lunch and pushed on.  We then did another quick fuel stop at Gundagai as we were not sure when our next fuel would be.  We pointed out nose south east from here and headed for Batlow.

We pulled into Batlow about 4pm and headed straight through cause we could now feel the joy of setting camp settling in. It takes only about 30min of dirt road before you get to the start of Blowering Dam, from here it can take another 30min to drive to the other end of the camping areas. We were surprised how quiet each of the camping areas were.  We looked around at a number of different spots but alas ended up almost in the exact same spot as last time.  Under beautiful big trees, flat grassy spot with views of the lake and mountains.  

It didn’t take long to set camp and there was a lovely breeze blowing keeping us cool. I even got time to set up our little make shift Christmas tree (just for you Mum).  As we cooked dinner the wind died off and it was still.  We decided to put up more shelter as off in the distance there were clouds.  Just as we got it up the wind turned and boy did it blow hard?  We battened   down the hatches secured everything got our things organised in the tent for we thought it was going to dump down. 

We sat out and watched the storm rolling in there was lightening and the clouds were very dark but slow moving.  I don’t know if I have ever camped in such strong winds it was blowing and hard.  As it got too dark to see we made sure everything was safe and headed to bed.  As we got in it rained just a little but the wind blew hard for hours.

Us2Martins at Blowering Dam.

Sculptures By the Sea 2011

Bondi Sculptures by the Sea 2011.

Hunter Valley Christmas Lights

We met Rhys and Effie our fearless leaders or maybe just partners in crime in Broke mid afternoon. We enjoyed a beverage or 2, set up camp and then our trusty designated driver took us into see the lights around 7pm.

We arrived and walked straight through with our tickets being prepaid it was easy. Then after picking up a slushy to cool off we took a walk through the gardens just on dusk. After having a good dose of red or blue sugar we decided to have a Tea party with Alice and a few other familiar friends.

We passed many fun nursery rhymes and this one in particular made us laugh. James just had to make up the missing sugar bowl so there was a full set.

Down past the Light tree, and onto the lake with the glorious waterfall we progressed.

It was a fairly long walk around the gardens so a rest with the reindeer was needed.

Once we finished we decided anther cool drink and light dinner was to be had while sitting watching the biggest Christmas tree in the grounds.

Now it was dark and there was about an hour till closing time we made another loop of the park to see the lights in their full glory.

Hmmmm nothing much to say but aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh how sweet

This was one of my favourites.

While I had my back turned Rhys and Effie decided Humpty needed a push,

Luckily James was there to catch.....

BUSTED!!!!!!!

After making sure Humpty was ok I moved the “kids” on past Santa’s workshop.

Back past the light trees.

From here we headed back to camp for a cool beverage before bed and to finish off the weekend we enjoyed breakfast in a cafe then hit the road for home. It was such an enjoyable night we will be doing it again next year.