This time we headed off for a 'baker's week' - like a 'bakers dozen' - one extra for good measure! we based ourselves in Mansfield in a quiet little spot in a room with a view at Mansfield Valley Motor Inn. From there we ventured out into north-east Victoria to Mt Buller, King Valley and the surrounding gourmet region.
After climbing Mt Buller (in the car), narrowly missing a female lyre bird who erupted from the roadside scrub and careered across the road, a road I might say with more hairpins than an ancient Aunty. Well after that ... we emerged in a mini suburbia almost. The snow village development on Mt Buller is staggering and somewhat disconcerting on this quiet and lovely mountain top, this panaramic veranda overlooking the roof of Victoria. Down the mountain, we stopped for a picnic and a wander in the Mirimbah Conservation Reserve tucked under Mount Stirling. Totally peaceful except for the incessant chattering of birds and the crazy babbling monologue of the rushing mountain stream. We collected 'pine' cones and inspected trees, followed the path of weird looking insects and of course looked for birds. Pretty nice way to spend a few lazy hours.
Next day we headed for the King River Valley and a pub lunch at the Whitfield pub - deep dark squid ink pasta with crab and prawns - deeelish! Of course we never visit King River region without going to Walk About Honey to stock up. We came away loaded up with goodies - olives, honey and other tid bits. We'll be back for new seasons fruit and walnuts after Christmas. Just love it there!
And through the hills back to Mansfield the fragrance of the bush was heavenly - peppermint gum, candle bark, wattle, bushes smelling of the spicy, heady aroma of cloves conjuring a flash memory of tooth ache. Royal purple hovea curling around low bushes. A totally delightful day.
All too soon it was time to head for home but we took the slow scenic route via a pub lunch of heavenly lemon risotto with goats cheese at Redesdale Pub. Life's pretty good.
Next??
Great place to stay - motel with a garden view.
A totem pole made from skis! Cute.
Road up Mt Buller
The village! It’s huge and still expanding
Love the shadow of trees on snow - on the rare occasions I see it! In fact snow is a fascination.
Roof of the Victorian Alps
Regeneration everywhere- a tiny bud sprouting from a gnarled tree trunk
A very curious currawong. He tip toed around our picnic bag a few times but didn’t pluck up the courage to really look inside
Willie catkins like pretty pussy tails
Strange but cute little beetle
A pair of king parrots were very interested in what we were doing. Photographing of course! But I suspect that my red phone cover might have made them more curious - another strange king parrot? I don’t know what their 3D vision is like. Pretty good probably so maybe they were just curious. They kept peering at me hanging out the car window.
This is the female. She kept her distance but was curious too
Hume and Hovell! This monument on the road through King River Valley took me back to high school history ‘Shaw’ I think it was. I remembered little so it was interesting reading about their explorations anew.
The monument stands at this cross roads
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