OCTOBER 2017

As seems to happen these days, we did not intend for there to be such a time span between trips. However, as always, life intervened.

Investigation into my thyroid health – or otherwise – extended to specialist visits and procedures. Ultimately, it was decided to let the status quo be, but only after a particularly unpleasant experience called a needle biopsy. This involved not moving whilst a needle probed the gland in question. “Keep very still now, this is really close to the carotid artery” is guaranteed to scare one – literally – rigid, I can promise!

As well, yet again, an ulcer opened up on my lower leg, and required many medical visits through much of winter.

Then, too, the winter weather in Victoria was not conducive to short breaks in this State.

In the way? Just helping, Dad

There were school holiday periods to avoid…and, of course, the bowls season started up again in spring.

Being grounded did give me the opportunity to create another crocheted patchwork blanket – this one claimed by M, who loved the autumn colours.

The latest blanket

John thought he would give some of his vegie garden a head start on spring, by putting up a greenhouse. The plastic structure lasted only until the first strong winds.

Once was a greenhouse…

A little window of opportunity opened up in mid-October, so we quickly planned a few days’ break, to give Bus a run and remind dog about “holiday in Bus”. We just had to hope that the weather did not suddenly get hot enough to adversely affect John’s young vegie plants. It was the very productive vegetable garden that usually kept us tethered to home through the summer months.

Yet again, we contemplated a run along the Great Ocean Road, but decided against that. With the short time available, it would have meant driving most days. Also, dog-friendly caravan parks along that stretch of road were few. The options were too limited for my preference. Given the increasing volume of travellers along the Great Ocean Road, it really was time that the quality of parks, and the range of travellers they catered for, was improved. I would like to see some pet friendly establishments with some en-suite sites – not too much to ask, surely?

So, we decided to go in the other direction, and spend our time at Lakes Entrance, where we could basically just relax and not do much. Whilst we’d overnighted in that town several times, had not spent a longer period based there.

For those previous overnight stops, had used caravan parks close to the town centre, so we could stay hitched up and walk to shops, especially the fish suppliers that were an attractive part of the place.

This time, for a longer stay, space, attractiveness and access to places to walk the dog were our main needs. I focussed on the Eastern Beach Holiday park, initially because it advertised as an NRMA park, and we’d previously found these to be of a good standard, if on the expensive side.

Google maps showed the park to be within walking distance of the ocean, and with a grassed area nearby where we could take dog. What I could see on the satellite view looked pleasant. They offered en-suite sites too, which would keep the driver happy.

I phoned and booked us in for five nights.

The packing needed was minimal, given that most needs were kept permanently in Bus. As I intended to indulge in fish meals whilst in this town that was home base to a decent fishing fleet, the only frozen foods that needed to be transferred from the house were a pack of the dog’s mince, a few rashers of bacon just in case, and some of the Magnum ice creams John had taken to eating for dessert.

Unfortunately, packing did have to include all the paraphernalia required for my leg dressings.

Fed dog a Nexguard tablet, to give her some protection against paralysis ticks, which can be found along the eastern Victorian coast.

Preparations thus complete…