To get to HALLS GAP from HORSHAM we headed south east on the WESTERN HIGHWAY which runs from HORSHAM to BALLARAT, and then on down to MELBOURNE. More long straights and flat roads. It is obvious that now we have come north a little bit, this will be the norm from now on. Some time ago we started recording the distance of some of the straights we were travelling on. We started at about 4 km, then got up to 6.5. The longest so far is 13.6km, and that was from QUEENSCLIFF to PORT ARLINGTON.
By the look of the roads on the map we may well break our record today, but it was not to be. Plenty of straights up to 10 km, but the 13.6 km record still stands. Driving in Australia, it is easy to see why Cruise Control was invented. You just set the speed you want, sit back, and enjoy the scenery. Occasionally you have to pretend you are driving by turning the steering wheel a bit when a slight bend occurs in the road.
Arriving at HALLS GAP, we were surprised at how busy the town was, especially seeing as most of the tracks and roads through the GRAMPIANS were closed. The whole town is based on tourism, with motels, caravan parks, and camp grounds tucked away in the bush everywhere. If this was what it was like with most of the Tourist attractions closed, what was it like when it got busy?
We had lunch in a park and wandered through the town. Then took a drive through the park as far as we could go. Evidence of the floods was everywhere. We spotted some more grey kangaroos sleeping in the sun, and Cameron sneaked up to within about a couple of meters before they got up and bounded off. We also saw some groups of Emus, but they were a bit more cautious and moved away as soon as we approached.
After a beer in the local we headed back to HORSHAM, for some grocery shopping and the home for tea. We were glad we had seen HALLS GAP, but still a bit disappointed we hadn’t been able to explore more of the tracks and sights the GRAMPIANS has to offer.
Sunday was of course Cameron’s Birthday. He already knew what he was getting, a remote controlled off road car. He had been asking for one ever since he saw some kids playing with one at one of our other camps, so we took him into a Toyworld in Geelong while we were there and he chose what he wanted. Unfortunately its batteries had to be charged up before he could play with it, so in the meantime we drove in to town to get phone reception and phoned Oma and Opa.
Then back to camp to have his birthday cake, complete with sparklers, and open his card.
Inside the card was $50 and together with his own money, this would enable him to buy a Police Lego Set which he had also had his eye on for some time. After cutting the cake, we Skyped through to Kerri and Bruce.
We had arranged that Lara and George and the boys would also be there so that Cameron could speak to all his family in one hit. What a surprise he got to suddenly see all his nephews and sisters. It was great to see them all and catch up. Unfortunately the connection wasn’t the best but a great catch up never the less.
After that we had to go back into town so Cameron could buy his Lego. We also booked a game of Ten Pin Bowling and a table at the local RSL, where Cameron had decided he wanted to go for his birthday tea. The rest of the afternoon was spent building the new Lego, and then it was off to Ten Pin Bowling and Tea at the RSL. On Cameron’s last ball at the Ten Pin he got a strike which made him pretty happy.
On our arrival at the RSL we found they had decorated our table with three helium balloons, and when Cameron’s dessert of an Ice Cream Sundae was bought out, there was a candle burning in the middle of it. A nice touch to round off his day.
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