Halls Gap

 Hi Everyone,
 I have had a great few weeks since I returned from the cruise. Of course it wasn't a good start with a flat tyre from my newest tyres! Luckily , although the roadside assist people couldn't help me directly, they pumped me up and directed me to the right tyre people. It is just amazing how quickly the people were able to repair the tyre, and for such a small amount! So off I went again.
 Back to Geoff and Adele's to pick up my mail, my herbal pills, and just say hello again to my good friends. Then the big plan happening, down to the travel agent to make the booking for my next big trip. (A surprise for you for the moment!) Next day I go with Adele to the hospital for her visit to her Kidney specialist. we meet up for a coffee with a friend of hers, and afterwards on the way home, poor Adele had a nasty tummy upset, and I had to drive the rest of the way back! I am really spoiled with a GPS! It was a bit tough finding the right roads with poor Adele groaning in the seat beside me! But we made it! Sh e made a good recovery. It is just one of those things that go with waiting for a Kidney transplant.
Next morning off to Loxton and back to favourite cousin Pauline's house for a last visit before I finally say goodbye to SA! On the way I go through a fruitfly checkpoint, have done this many times as I criss cross the states, I realise I have done a big shop of salad  and potatoes and onion, I decide to take a chance, and carry on. Guess what, just up the road the guys are out doing an inspection! I 'm sweating big time as I know I have been naughty! and then God feels sorry for me and the inspector waves me past as they had a full checkpoint! I swear I will never risk it again and give all my stuff to my cousin!.Next day I head off to Victoria.
I took the slow road to Halls Gap via a route that I have done part of before, stopping at a couple of caravan parks where I was able to do my washing and get ready for a few days at Halls gap. I arrived at the town ship and was quite surprised as I thought the town would be up in the mountains, instead it is down it the valley. But what a lovely spot! I always love mountains, as of course WA doesn't really have any! I had another couple come and share my time at the caravan park, this was a "travel auction" best buy! We had some lovely weather for the first 4 days, and then it rained as I was packing up to move out. Hazel and graeme were lovely companions to have, they drove us up the mountains to Mt William, one of the tallest in the Grampians group and there were some lovely views as we drove through this picturesque area. We took a drive to Great Western to wine taste at Seppelt  which makes some great bubbles wines!! My favourite! Naturally we had to buy a few bottles! We also went to the Halls Gap Zoo, whuch I found pretty amazing! I expected it to be a pigs and sheep and rabbits sort of thing, but it was great, they had Meerkats! lots of cute monkeys, the white fluffy faced ones , mostly miniature ones, snakes, lizards and big monitor lizards, crocodiles, But only small ones! Koalas, wombats, Tassie Devils, emus, kangaroos, of course, ostriches, brolgas, cassowary, so quite a few animals I had never seen before. The really good thing though, was that each evening a big mob of Kangaroos came through the park and there were sulphur crested cockatoos which ate out of your hand etc. I hope to include some good photos .
Next is motor homing rally at Yarram.
Keep laughing and loving and I hope you are all in good spirits, until we meet again. Vicki