The Bush Salute

I've been reading Bill Bryson's Down Under. Its a laugh out loud take on his travels around Australia, but its been particularly interesting how it has mirrored some of my thoughts and experiences. So in preparation for our long awaited trip to Victoria and the Great Ocean Road I dipped in to find out what Bill thought. He introduced me to something called the Bush Salute, basically you go outside for a nice walk and a fly comes and joins you. He particularly want's to get up your nose, or in your eye so you brush him off. He's quickly joined by about 200 mates, who mainly hitch a ride on your head between bouts of trying to get up your nose. What starts off as a casual brush of the hand becomes a crazed continuous waving of your arms around your head. So your nice stroll becomes a fast march across the countryside with any view obscured by the cloud of flies. Horrid!






The Great Ocean Road was a bit of a disappointment as well. The reality was a small winding highway that runs near the coast, with occasional stretches where you can actually see the sea. I think the continual drizzle did little to lift the spirits (it never rains in Victoria apparently).

As much as I'd like to continue this whinge, I can't really find anything else to complain about. The 12 apostles were worth the visit. Lots of limestone stacks sticking out of the ocean waiting to be swept away, and bathed in spray from the pounding ocean. Quite breathtaking and atmospheric. The Cape Otway lighthouse was good for a piece of cake, but also hundreds of koalas just hanging about doing their thing. And although Howard preferred staying in watching TV and drinking (someone had to babysit), the night visit to see the glow worms was also quite magical, almost like visiting the stars.


We had the same old debate with Trev & Den (the doting grandparents) about making more realistic holiday plans when travelling with the kids. Although we think we've compromised our holidays beyond all recognition, apparently there is more we could give up. They may have a point, as the kids probably prefer some unadulterated parental attention in the confines of the park/garden/pool as much as anything else. Anyway appart from coming home via New Zealand and Singapore, we haven't got any other travel plans!