Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Grampians 09

The Grampians camping grounds are astounding from the wonderful views combined with freshness of nature, provides for a really relaxing and amazing experience. Which can be enjoyed all year long with families and friends. It seems to be one of Australia’s amazing untouched destinations; there are a lot of sites to see and explore. The sites are all free to explore and the views truly amazing, located 30 minutes from the peaceful Victorian town of Halls Gap. It’s approximately three to three and a half hours drive from Melbourne towards Adelaide. Over a three day and two night period my friends Adam Peter Rebecca and I explored and relaxed in the beauty and serenity of nature, at the Grampians.

DAY ONE: We all got up bright and early before the sun and headed to our which we packed night before. We took one pit-stop stop McDonald s for breakfast and then hit the road for our long journey; we began our drive listening to It’s a long way to the top (if you wanna Rock’n’Roll) followed by the rest of the 80’s tracks and where all singing along the whole way.

We arrived in the town of Halls Gap at the bright hour of 9 and drove the rest of the way down the windy roads past elephants back towards our campsite on old mill road. We began to set up camp which seemed more like a race of whom could set up the tents faster the Wogs (Pete and I) against the Aussies (Adam and Bec). Setting up the tent proved to be more difficult than we imagined or could have anticipated. Peters tent was too complicated and in the end required all four of us to work out its engineering, however in the end it all worked out and was set up correctly after about four attempts we where fifth time lucky.

With camp all set up and the car free from congestion we started the day with a small hike down to see McKenzie falls. The hike was around about 2k return hike down hill and stairs; which for the first day proved to be a slight challenge but we all survived. The walk to the falls was rewarding and changing on its own it had great views and stops to look at along the way so the destination didn’t seem too far away. When we finally reached the falls the freshness of the air and the smell of nature took my breath away it was then and only then I realized I was away from civilization and truly got the chance to begin relaxing. The sound of the waterfall hitting the lake in combination with the fact it began to spit rain made me feel like I had no care in the world. I was truly serine. After McKenzie falls we decided to call it a day and head to the shops to pick up fire food for the night and head back to camp.

At the campsite that night while Pete whom I believe is the undiscovered Jamie Oliver began to work on dinner, myself Adam and Bec enjoyed the little luxuries of reading and playing on Nintendo DS. Adam and Bec where relaxing away on a hammock while I decided to set up a rug and read under an umbrella which seemed to be a very relaxing idea to me. However I found it a little hard to focus on my book due to the fact Adam kept reading his aloud since I am convinced he knew it annoyed me. After reading three chapters I decided to help Pete with dinner (even though I just wanted to continue reading in the tranquil environment where I was so stress-free) the others agreed that we should help Pete out with dinner and where soon to follow. As I got up and walked over to the cooking area I heard a bang followed by scream aarhh ouch… I turned around to see what happened and saw Adam lying on the floor in pain and the hammock disconnected; the rope had snapped and he ended up on the ground unlucky landing on the only twig sticking out of the grown surrounded by soft lush grass. However all I could think and say was ‘omg Adam my iPhone was in your pocket if its broken I wont be happy’ Nightfall came quick that night and the campfire started I insisted on reading with a flash light till I couldn’t stay awake anymore by the fire. That night I felt like I got hardly any sleep I laid in my sleeping back listening to nature while it poured out side. The sound of the rain relaxed me so much that I drifted into a peaceful sleep.

DAY TWO: Wake up time for day two was bright and early 7:30am. I could hear Pete’s voice saying ‘wake up bella its time to get up’ however all I wanted to do was roll over and go back to sleep but I knew id be dragged out by the others. After bacon and eggs for breakfast the day began jam packed with activities. Which on the way too we used Pete’s car’s sunroof to stand out on and feel the wind in our hair, which was a truly amazing experience. Reids lookout was first on our list and it had the most amazing over view of the campsite and town. Standing on Reids lookout looking out at the mountains makes you feel like you’re on top of the world and you can fly and do anything.

We then headed to the Balcanies which is another amazing waterfall that the water falls to the ground and just disappears and doesn’t leave a lake or puddle it just hits a pile of pebbles and leaves. Bec and I sat and admired the view while the boys set and dangerously climbed the mountain to get on top of the waterfall. While still at the falls we dared Pete to bathe under the waterfall, as it looked remarkably peaceful, however to our surprise his high pitch tone when he entered made us aware that the water was freezing. However we all thought it hilarious and I got it on videotape. On the walk back to the car from the hike Adam managed to hurt himself yet again by racing Pete and not realizing why Pete was slowing and he began to speed up to over take and was going to fast to turn the tight corner and ran into a tree which he managed to snap. OUCH was his reaction, he said he has a tome stone now ‘in memory of my nuts’

Mt difficult was next on the list for that morning being the last activity before a late 3:30 lunch the hike to mount difficult didn’t prove to be too difficult actually however rather fun and adventurous climbing over trees which had fallen due to the fires (which covered the back of my pants in charcoal) and the boys throwing big rocks over the edge of the up coming cliffs to see them smash into pieces. When we arrived at mount difficult looking at the shape of the mountain reminded me of a claw due to the way the rocks where positioned. The boys where also very daring on this mountain cliff. Climbing and exploring the most dangerous parts, which are specify not to be entered. It was funny though as other tourists took there picture most likely thinking they where nut cases.

By this time in the day our stomachs where rumbling so we rushed back to camp as fast as we could and began making a barbeque with sausages and bacon which was absolutely delicious. After lunch we decided to take a break and hangout at the campsite till dinner. Pete decided to take a siesta and the rest of us to our own activities. (Adam and I choose to read our books while Bec decided to play DS) It was too cold to do any of these activates out side so we sat in the car with the heater on for a while. However after about half an hour the true camp sprit started as Bec and I devised a plan to tie Adam to a tree however with many failed attempts to catch him we both admitted defeat to him. All this running around and chasing seemed to have woken Pete up, only to join in our fun and then the competition was truly on; as races started. The first race was carrying the girls on their shoulders and running from point A to B, which Pete and I cheated on cutting out half the race just to win. And the second and final race was piggy backing the girls from point A to B, which Adam and I won fair and square.

After having so much fun running around it was already for dinner, which we planned to drive to town and eat at the local restaurant in halls gap. The food was amazing and the atmosphere very country but not western. It was the pine and neutral tones used in the soundings that gave that affect. Dinner went by so fast it was already time to drive back to camp, but everyone was too tired for a campfire that night we had packed a lot into our day and we all went to bed around 10pm

DAY THREE: The last thing we went to discover before we went home was Beehive fall which was only by accident as we where looking for the other bush walk path but couldn’t find the turn off. The walk to beehive falls the walk didn’t prove to be as interesting as id have hoped it was purely path and trees that seemed to be never ending for about 2ks but the over all result at the end truly amazing. We ended up staying there for hrs just admiring nature. While at Beehive falls I stole Pete’s shapes and ate them all before he got back from exploring the top of the mountain waterfall. In all honesty from the amazing caves to explore to the spectacular waterfall with rocks to climb we really did save the best site for last; beehive falls was truly astounding. Knowing it was getting to late and that we had to leave for home, we said goodbye to the lovely waterfall and slowly headed back to camp, to pack up everything and head back home to reality.

When campsite fully taken down and the car was finally packed we realized our remarkable weekend of relaxation had come to an end and we stopped got lunch and drove home in silence. Exhausted from the weekend and miserable that we had work tomorrow.

I would recommend the Grampians camping grounds for anyone wishing to go on a camp and have an awesome adventure but I suggest going for longer as you won’t want to leave its serine environment.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

bored

hrrm what to blog today ... i think writing that annoying and boring essay for publishing class this morning took all the writing energy out of me.

What if i'm the bad guy

Just a children's story i aim to publish one day

Deep in the forest of Africa there lived a baby lion cub named Liony. He loved to play and roll around in all the wild flowers and chase rainbows. He was such a humble lion whom would never hurt anyone of anything. He just wanted to be friends with other animals but according to the great legends he was not aloud to He was destined to be king and all others to fear his presence.

Liony didn’t want to believe this legend. So one day he set off on a mission to find some friends, he didn’t want people to fear him; he wanted them to love him. He dreamed of this for such a long time where he could be a part of the group and join in the games.

On Lionys mission he first came to Gira the baby giraffe, whom was so scared to see the lion she ran away into a bush and refused to come out to play, until Liony was long gone. This made Liony feel a little sad but he had hope that someone would play with him.

So he continued on his journey, he walked past the big caves where he saw to baby hippos swimming Hippa and Hoppo they where twins. Liony thought the game they where playing looked liked fun so he jumped in but as soon as he jumped in they screamed and jumped out, and left Liony all alone and wet.

Liony Began to think maybe he isn’t meant to be friends with others, and maybe he really is the bad guy, and maybe his job is to scare all the other animals, and he began to sigh and decided to walk home back through the forest.

While Liony walked through the forest his sobs and raw’s of sadness could be herd as an echo. Which scared the monkeys hiding up in the trees, and they began to through sticks nuts and what ever theycould find to scare the predator away But all Liony wanted to do was play.

As Liony ran and ran as far away from the crazy monkey and from everyone as he possible could so no one would see the tears in his eyes While Liony was running he couldn’t see with the tears in his eyes he scared Eleyla the baby elephant whom ran into the small cave in great fear of the lion but didn’t feel so scared when she noticed the lion wasn’t even following her.

Liony stopped to catch his breath and rested on a warm rock and cried “why do all the other animals hate me? I have never done anything wrong to them. I just want to make friends” Eleyla head Lionys cries and decided to go tell all her friends that Liony was nice and he just wanted to be friends and play in the flowers.

When all the others herd that Liony was just trying to play, and be there friend they felt really bad for how they had reacted and excluded him because he was a lion. So they went up to Liony and apologized and asked if they could start over and be friends and play.

Ever since that day, all animals in the jungle have been good friends. And they lived happily ever after.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Torn in the middl

If there was a time machine id go back in time. Id put a rewind on life; to a time when my friends weren’t fighting. I love all my friends and its very hard for me to see them fighting. I think its all my fault and there isn’t anything I can do. Even if people say the situations where inevitable but how true is that really?

While I sit and watch them all fight while drinking my latte pretending nothing is wrong. Imagining and hoping that one-day it will all be merry again; knowing that’s only a fantasy. If only…

I fear some day ill have pick between them. Or maybe it will happen naturally like falling out of contact with someone. Every weekend I feel the same pressure who do I hang out with I feel like I’m being made to choose a side, when I’m clearly not. Most people would love the idea of choice between friends to hangout with but I clearly do not.

My one and twenty birthday is coming up soon and I hope it all blows over by then. Mum says they all have to come along and get along for one day for me. But I see it more as a dream than a reality.

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