I know I haven't told you about Harrietville yet. So much to process, so much to do and not enough photographs. It will happen, but we have been a little overwhelmed by our building works.
On being told that our services were to be cut off for a good couple of days, we decided to head down to Phillip Island.
Having only a limited time together, Peter and I decided we would do the walk up to Cape Woolamai. Basically, we walk along the beach right to the quarry. With the tide right out, this is much easier than usual. Then up we go to the highest point on Phillip Island. It's called Snapper Head and is a whopping 112 metres above sea level.
The views are spectacular all over the island to French Island and the rest of the bay and then all along the coast to Wonthaggi.
On a crowded Easter Weekend, most people are there for the beaches, which are spectacular, the sites, Penguin Parade, Churchill Island, etc and the amusements. The walk to this point is quiet, so much so that we were rewarded with an echidna at the side of the path. Crazy little creatures!
At the top is a beacon which is now automatic and solar powered, but in earlier times the local farmer, a, I think the first name is James, Cleeland, after whom the bay and streets are named after, would ride his horse, daily to the top to light the beacon on the southern most point of the island. The ocean passage being a particularly hazardous one.
The whole area used to be a farm, but they've been revegetating, getting rid of feral animals, and, whilst this is an ongoing problem, the vegetation and mutton bird nests attest to the success.
We finally got back home to find:
We had expected the front wall to come off, but not so quickly! Unfortunately, they've hit rock, so the process has slowed for the moment.
Anyway, more on Harrietville soon.
PS. Saturday I'm giving a Colour Theory and Design Workshop at the Handweavers and Spinners Guild. I hope I'm prepared and it turns out fun!
