Well here we are home again over a month since being on the farm. We spent the time in the Yarra Valley just relaxing mainly, weather was cold for most of the time and wet. Our dearest Karina came and spent four days with us. Painful going to airport to do the pickup but we went via Yarra Glen and bipassed Melbourne. Silly girl may have three university degrees but she booked the wrong airport for her return and we had to drive 145 kms each way to get to Avalon. We did spend a lovely time in Geelong with a terrific lunch prior to her boarding so it wasn't too bad. She was nearly back in Lane Cove before we got back to the farm.

Spent some time exploring the Redwood Forest at Warburton and Marysville, a particularly nice drive. But above all just pottering and having our days made happier by the duck antics on our pond at the front of the property. Mum and Dad duck cared for their little ones with a zealousness. We can't believe there were still 18 at the end of our stay as there are plenty of foxes about. Delightful seeing them learning to duck dive, one of which couldnt, and one got his nose stuck in the mud with much thrashing came upright again. By the time we were leaving they were flapping wings a lot and flight was not far away. Small things may amuse small minds but we did have silly grins on our faces daily with their antics. The cows were just cows and ate and pooped a lot. We did not see Jacqueline as much as we would have liked as she was busy working two jobs but still had some hugging time.

Eventually Ave and Jane arrived home from their travels and after our usual wine and food and chat smorgesbord we were on our way north east to home via Beechworth for a two night stopover.

Beautiful spot at Beechworth by the lake and we had just missed a hail storm but the sunsets spectacular. Spent the day with Jess, Sean and the girls and then finally to home. Stopped at Gunning for lunch and then onwards again. Worst part was coming over the mountain from Mittagong but sight of home eventually.

Well the only thing green was our pool, lots of dead treees and the grass very crunchy underfoot. Drought conditions but our neighbours had all lent a hand to keep things going. So nice to be back and we have survived our street Christmas Party at our house so all is back to normal.

Some facts:

Cost of accommodation: $2288

Avg cost per night: $34

Number of kilometres: 18946

Number of litres used: 2769

Total cost of fuel used: 3861

Max cost of diesal: $1.76 per litre at Madurah Pass on the Nullarbor

Avg cost of diesal: $1.40 per litre

Towing average: 15.2 litres per 100 kms

Best caravan park: Streaky Bay

Very worst Caravan Park : Nundroo, we gave them a second chance, bad mistake on our part

Best spot: Still love Esperance and Coral Bay

Great tour: Karajini National Park

Best views of the colours of our country - fantastic as always and a great person to share all this with, my old man, Wally. Many thanks to Gina and The Fonz for surviving another Wally tour without letting us down, well maybe the tyres were a let down but hey all good.

And so the sun sets on another trip and we definitely cannot fit in another this year so we will have to wait and see what next year brings.

xxxx