April already

I just realised that it's April already, where has the time gone - I've been here over seven months now, only three months until the end of my contract.

Last Saturday was quite a big day. Members of the threatened species group (Frank and I included) went out looking for Brush-tailed rock wallaby scats and Downy star-bush. Our group had no luck with either but we did see some wonderful bush with an unexpected chain of pools high up the gorge which still contained water despite the very dry weather. They were far more impressive than Venus Baths but also a lot more difficult to get to. Sunday was another hot day so we went for a bit of a drive and ended up having lunch at the Mt Zero Olives Café – very pleasant.

Wednesday I drove down to Williamstown after work but as I was a bit later getting away than I had hoped it was almost eight before I arrived. Thursday I went for a nice long walk with Carol, then did some gardening and then to Matt and Erin’s for dinner. Matt cooked a very tasty stir fry. Friday I went to visit dad in the morning and then went for a climb at the gym with Phill after lunch. Frank and I got away about 4pm and finally managed to catch the Vines Café in Ararat open – had a very nice meal but very very filling.

This weekend I was on patrol. Saturday I caught up with some people I know from Melbourne uni, they had a group of masters students in the Grampians and wanted to compare different burn areas (areas that had been subject to a controlled burn in previous years and areas that hadn’t). Today (Sunday) I did the round of the campgrounds that are still open so quite a bit of driving the Wannon, Strachans, Buandik, Stapylton, Troopers Creek and the Plantation campgrounds.

Looking forward to seeing Mal and Morag and Matt and Erin later this week,