Category: travel

Tuesday in Lakes Entrance

Funny day here in Lakes. Yesterday it was so hot, today it’s almost cold!

The town is really busy – which is great and will go a long way to helping some of the local businesses continue into the new year. The new works on the Esplanade are terrific, and that end of the town was really busy this morning, with virtually no parking in any of that section.

Lots of boats out and about enjoying our beautiful waterways. Most seem to be doing the right thing, being patient and courteous with other boaties, but of course, there are always those few who go roaring around, creating backwash that can damage the environment and other boats. Boaties need to observe the restrictions and signs as to speed, but also remember their manners when it comes to passing other vessels, particularly those moored at jetties. Remember that not everyone is an expert at the boating thing, and many need time to learn the skills needed. So relax, chill, be patient and considerate, and we’ll all have a great time on the water.

Remember to watch out for our dolphins and seals too – there are restrictions about how close you may be to our wildlife, and we take that very seriously!

To our wonderful visitors to Lakes Entrance and surrounding areas, thank you for visiting us, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the town. BUT, please remember that you are our guests, we live here and you are visiting us. You come here because of all the things we have to offer for your enjoyment, please respect our town, take home your rubbish, or dispose of it properly.

Be patient in shops that are not used to dealing with big crowds, we are doing our best to accomadate you all. Many of our local businesses are struggling and have had to put off staff, so we may not be able to serve you as quickly as the big shops in the city. Remember you are here to relax and enjoy, so do that, and everything will be fine.

Show respect and it will be shown back to you. If you have a problem with anything, approach the owner of the business with respect, and it is certain they will listen to you. Don’t go posting nasty comments on social media about “backward” towns and people, that does not help anyone, and certainly does not resolve any issues you may have encountered.

The lifestyle here is relaxed, chilled and laid back, isn’t that what you come here to enjoy?

We have all had a rough year – particularly those of us here in East Gippsland, first with the bushfires and then the virus. I have to say that we have been blessed to have been kept safe during both events, and we genuinely thank all those who worked so hard to keep us safe, and those who obeyed the rules, did the right thing, and made their contribution to everyone’s safety.

To the others … well what can I say?

We had a pleasant afternoon tea at Johnsonville today, with thanks to the staff at The Black Stump for excellent coffee again!

Johnsonville, East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.

Cape conran

Went for a drive yesterday. Lunch in Orbost at our favourite “Chooky’s” – their egg and bacon rolls are fabulous and make a very satisfying lunch!

Wintery Orbost

We left Orbost and drove around to Cape Conran. We had not been in this area since the fires, and it is heartbreaking to see the damage. Fire must have literally roared through here, over the sanddunes and right to the waters edge, destroying everything in it’s path. All the infastructure is gone, toilet blocks and picnic areas. Some has been replaced, but the blackened, dead trees stand mute and still, a stark reminder of the power of fire.

Road signs still not replaced at Cape Conran.

The scale of the fires here must have been enormous! Right down to the waters edge the trees and undergrowth are devastated. It looks to me like many of the trees are dead, completely burnt out and not likely to regenerate. I hope this is not the case. It is so sad to see so much of the area gone, I didn’t even take any more photos, I felt too sad. We love our East Gippsland areas of natural and wild beauty, and we stand in awe of the power of fire, way beyond our control. It is my hope that this entire area will recover, and become green again. It will take some time I’m sure and perhaps some help from us to plant new trees, shrubs and grasses.

Colors of a Bushfire – East Gippsland 2020

Went for a drive today through some of the areas most affected by the recent bushfires. Our hearts go out to the many who have lost their homes and properties during this time. I have not shared any photos of your loss, but I have taken photos along the road, and I am astounded at how quickly the bushland begins to regenerate and renew itself. The vivid green of new growth is the thing that strikes you most, as you look through the blackened forest. Does new growth signal new hope, that a solution to the bushfire problem can be found?

I hope that as you look through my photos (we could not stop along the way, so most are taken from the moving car) you are reminded that life is precious – not only human life, but all life. The trees that were devastated by fire, have almost immediately begun to sprout new leaves, the tiny tree ferns have poked their heads through the blackened earth, and are the most vivid green of all. Nature it seems, is quick to move on, to repair, to rebuild, to renew, and that which cannot be renewed, lies on the forest floor to provide habitat for surviving creatures, and to eventually break down to provide for new plants and new growth.

To any who have lost everything in the fires – I pray you will find the inner strength to rebuild, renew, repair, and discard that which cannot be renewed, and to move forward with hope in your hearts, that no matter how bad things seem now, life has a way of making even bad things come out good, in time. If you have faith in a living God, I pray you find solace, comfort and joy at His Throne, as you work to repair that which nature has taken.

Please follow this link to see all the photos: Colours of A Bushfire Album

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