Inspeckted Earth: New Victorian Wales

A memorable (Jerry will understand more than anybody else) journey around Victoria and New South Wales.

The Great Ocean Road was still impressive, despite one of the Twelve Apostles having martyred itself to the sea since the last time Phileas visited.

The Grampians was a place designed to test the stability of rock formations, urge to jump into vast chasms and off open cliffs. Mr. Phileas never was able to really test himself due to the close vocal discipline and emotional blackmail techniques of Mrs Phileas.

But certainly a place to exercise the legs and avoid tour groups.

On we went to Ballarat, site of Victoria's gold rush. The excellent living museum of Sovereign Hill was the perfect place to practise the old art of panning for gold.

Some were more proficeint and successful than others. Some could even afford to find some and throw it away... twice. So, yes, we found gold! About 10 pieces. We found so much in fact, we've decided we can manage to stay away for another 5 months! Excellent!!

Yet, despite our new found wealth, we were not able to match the cost of the gold bullion bar we witnessed being smelted, cooled and paraded. Was it real gold? Yes. Was the demonstration done by an occasional Neighbours cast member? Yes! I think we're the ones being stalked! Any ideas who?

Lake Hume - a place of wonderful colour contrasts and trees than only better with age.

And a great place to set your chairs and admire the peace drift by.

The Three Sisters and One Beautiful Wife.

We stopped by the Blue Mountains - a last bit of wilderness before the metropolis. Mr. P. particularly enjoyed guiding Mrs P. to an expansive viewpoint... at night... during a lightning storm. Fear is a curious thing!

And the last hurrah went to Sydney. We didn't actually do very much. A stroll around the Opera House, across the bridge and through The Rocks; back the next day for a Shakespearean performance - you know how cultured we are.