F is for Fry's Hut: a mountain man tin and log hut in the High Country

Built in the mid 1900's, Fred Fry lived as a mountain man, an isolated life until his death in the 1970's and he is well remembered for his building talent and he influenced the style of many of the heritage huts here in the High Country. We walked the 3km Heritage Trail in the Howqua Valley, saw the remains of the gold mining from the mid 1800's ending at the hut. I must remember to get Inel to sketch it for me in my journal, the lines are remarkable.

So while I was finishing high school, here was this man, in his tin and wood hut, living the simple but rich life, too marvellous.

F is for Family: a surprise visit!

A late night intrusion here at our timeshare near Mansfield in Victoria.

Inel, Guy and Joss had arrived after a 7 hour drive from Cowra, NSW. So special.

We ran around here in the High Country, tasted Tin Shed ciders; visited Dalzotto, of Masterchef fame for me, in the King Valley for crisp, cold Prosecco; walks are the lake, along a heritage trail and up the summit of Mt Buller; made good food; found the King Parrot and of course loads of coffee and wine.

We saw them off at 5am this morning and look forward to our return visit at the end of February.

G is for Grasstree: a Western Australian icon

A road trip can surprise. I assumed the landscape would be dominated by the wondrous gum trees that Australia has, until we stumbled on this scene along the Indian Ocean Highway. A vast plain of Grasstrees and as the info board says, they can survive for over 500 years. Such an interesting sighting indeed.