Day Thirteen - Central Tilba - Bairnsdale

I had a good nights sleep, it was so dark where we were staying and I slept well.  Up washed, dressed and breakfast consumed we were soon loading up Bonnie and Bonnie and the Boy were off.  As well Central Tilba it was almost

Road signs have just melted

busy, I counted six people.  We found the A1, Princes Highway, and we were off. I should have known it was going to be a challenging day as I saw one dead kangaroo by the side of the road, and one, I am so sorry to say, dead wombat! So sad.  We passed through so many small towns that had suffered terribly with the bush fires.  You would see just the brickwork left of the buildings. I did not want to stop and take photos as these were people's homes and it really did not seem right. I cannot tell you enough how terrible this country has suffered with the bush fires.

As the road continued we witnessed miles and miles of forest that had just been burnt to a crisp! Yet, some trees had little green shoots coming off them, giving us, at least some hope.  Roads were closed and there signposts that had just

melted.  Terribly, terribly sad.

We ended up at a place called Eden. The garden of Eden it was not; it was more like the gates of hell!  A cruise ship had arrived and it is crowded with tourists (yes OK arguably I could be one but you know what I mean).  We walked passed the school and three girls, aged about ten shouted where do you come from; to which I replied London.  Their response was wow! I stood and had a little chat with them and they thought I was on the cruise.  I made it perfectly clear I was not, they were so sweet.  We left Eden and continued along the highway, seeing more and more destruction.  We stopped of at Caan and went to what I have now named the Carrie-Ann Cafe.  Why I hear you cry? Well it was 2.00 yet some of the tables had chairs on top of them, just like the film Poltergeist.  I asked the woman for a coffee and she said it would have to be a take away as they were closing at 4.00 ........ yes you read

correctly, it was only 2.00.  Andy and I did wonder for a second if we had gone through a time zone. Australia does not do late.  Most coffee shops, even in Sydney close at 4.00pm.  5.00pm the latest.  I know I live in London but this seems really early. Also, restaurants close around 8.30-9.00 with a late night being 10.00. I really do not know what people do here.  I have seen a lot of men, sitting in pubs, at the bar and that seems to be a pastime.

From Cann we made our way to our next destination, Bairnsdale.  It looked like Neighbours.  We found our digs which are fine, plenty of room and clean and then went out to get some dinner because if we did not go early we know by now they would be closed.  We walked up and down the 'High Street' and

settled for an Indian meal.  You cannot go wrong if you are vegetarian with an Indian meal.  It was lovely and the young woman who serviced us was lovely.  She reminded me of my friend Nita.  Paid up we walked home.  We were both tired.  Australia is a huge country and today we drove 400km which is approximately 248 miles which is the equivalent of driving form London to the Isle of Man.  Our total trip is around between 1200 and 1500km which is 745 and 932 miles which is like driving from London to Slovakia or Budapest.  Then when you look at a map of Australia we have just done a bit of a right angle at the bottom corner.  I am so pleased we have SUV as it gives us a comfortable ride.  However, Kylie died a death today.  Her voice was getting on my nerves anyway.  We tried numerous attempts to reboot her but she was not having any of it; so we download via some free wifi from Eden Tourist Information, the map on Andy's phone and we were sorted.

As we are driving through the middle of nowhere the radio in the car does not always work well and when it does, some of the programmes.  Today it must

have been suicide Friday as this guy was playing around the theme .... the end of the world!  There was us driving through what looked like an apocalypse and this depressing music.  I turned that off and played my birthday playlist off my phone and before you knew it we were both Voguing to Madge!  I did manage to see a little wallaby out of the window at some point but still no kangaroos, wombats or stars oh my.

Australia is truly a beautiful country.  I feel so much for them now as they are trying to rebuild the damage done by the fires.  The accommodation we stayed in last night was almost burnt down.  It is really just awful for the people.  I have said to a couple of people this trip and to the three little girls today ..... 'you have such a beautiful country, please look after it'.

As always, with my love x