I have finally taken the time to try and finish figuring out how to get this blog publishing program to work on an iPad. I think I may be getting it but we will see. I had put together picture galleries but could not get the comment feature to work in the iPad application mode and  the web based method is of course for a “computer” which I have come to learn the hard way that an iPad is not. Anyway that is one of the excuses for taking so long updating the blog. I will publish the gallery called something like Places Near Takaka SI NZ (SI stands for South Island) along with this update to see if I have truly worked out this software.

Meanwhile the Australian update  is that we are down on the south coast of Victoria near Melbourne. Roger has been honing his coastal flying skills at some very beautiful cliffs above some lovely coves with some very nice local pilots.

Here he is flying the famous surfing beach Bell’s Beach. He flew about 10 km down the coast to land at the estuary in Anglesea.

We have also spent some time going on hikes and seeing some of the Australian wildlife. We have actually been seeing Koala bears up in the trees, out in the wild, while hiking. We have seen many kangaroos while driving or at campgrounds and also emus out in the outback. Here are a few critter pictures from our hikes or at the nature park.

This is a Kookaburra which is a good sized bird with a great call, laugh and a pretty catchy song about it.

We saw this fellow when we were out hiking above Adelaide.

This guy was a bit sleepy.

A Roo for you!

These next few pictures were from a nature park we walked through near Adelaide.

This is an Echidna which is about the size of a small cat. They are very interesting little critters that eat ants and have quills like a porcupine. We have actually seen one in the wild as well.

This is a Tasmanian Devil, he is obviously in his retirement years.

Ever wonder what a Wombat looks like? Well here ya go.

This handsome fellow is a Dingo.

And the star of the show…….Emily Emu! This lady can easily look me in the eye, she is that big.

Ok so now for a few pretty pictures of the scenery we have been enjoying.

Here are a couple of pictures of our van, we have named “Chido” short for Echidna. It has a nice tent that fits on the back.

That’s all for now, I am now at a campground in Bright near Mt Buffalo and have access to wifi so hopefully will get this published.