Mt Gambier Getaway

Our first outing for a few days took us to Mt Gambier, we arrived fairly late and it was quite cold, the heater went on and we wrapped ourselves up in bed to try and warm up. Only problem was that it was that sort of dry heat, so mid-way through the night it was dehydration and nightmares. Apart from log fires, Australian's really aren't sure on how to warm themselves up; I guess the same could be said about us Brit's and cooling ourselves down when it gets too hot. 

We first went to the middle of town where there is a massive sink hole, basically the ground disappears into a giant hole and they aren't certain as to the precise cause. 

After seeing a mighty big hole in the middle of town (there are still shops and a pub right next to it), we went for a walk to the blue lake. It is a crater lake in an extinct volcano (so they say!) and aptly named for it's extreme blue colouring. My picture doesn't make it very clear on the hue but it was very blue, apparently it is more discernible in the summer months.

We did a big walk right around the lake and at one point decided to pick up pine cones and see who could get them in, after a mighty hoof Phil's could not be seen or heard, so who knows where it went. Maybe he dropped it at his feet perhaps? Then it was my turn, with all my effort I threw it, only for it to rustle in the trees, I don't think mine hit the water for sure. Just to explain our failed attempts, it's actually a very long way down surrounded by a 'safety' fence that's a way back from the actual edge so it needed a mighty hoof. After a good walk around it did start to rain which was a little annoying as we directly half way in either direction. This meant we decided to just keep on truckin'.

When we got to the other side there was a park with exercise equipment in it that we decided to have a go on. Phil was showing off his skills whilst I was just behaving like a small child in a play ground, weeeeeeee, swinging side to side on one piece of equipment and then mimicking Phil on the 'leg press'. Although my old personal trainer did say using your own body weight is the best form of exercise... I doubt I would be able to save myself if I was hanging off a cliff... but who knows what adrenaline will do.

After we got back to the car we went and headed for lunch at a pub, it was very nice after the big walk, but feeling slightly on the full side we thought another walk around the other big hole in the ground (this one waterless) was a good idea. I say we went for a big walk, we actually came across some stairs which Phil ran up victoriously, whereas I gently sauntered to the top trying not to exert myself and throw up my dinner. Success. Once we were finished walking we went back to the room to read our books before we went for tea... instead we actually managed to fall fast asleep until it was dark. Best. Nap. Ever! After a good sleep we went out to have tea, schnitzel time, Australian's are obsessed with them. 


The next day it was time to leave, after not knowing the check-out time and having the receptionist come and ask us why we hadn't left yet, we packed up and headed on our way home. We went via a place that had caves, although it was all tour guided which was a shame as the times we're awkward compared to when we were there. We missed the first one by twenty minutes and the next one wasn't until about two hours later and we weren't going to just stand around waiting. We went for a wander and saw Batman's hide away. We also found a bronze statue of a giant wombat, Australian's like to pay homage to things by building oversized mementos. Phil took a picture, managed to get the arm of his sunglasses in it, he's no pro at the ol' picture snapping that's for sure. Nevertheless, he captured my fantastic impersonation, look closer. 

After my brilliant imitation I drove us back, on the way we stopped and ate some fried chicken in a road house, because why not. Then the anxiety started creeping in, it would be the first time after a very long time of dating that I was going to meet his parents. Holy mother of... what if they don't like me? What if they can't understand my accent? What if, what if, what if. Phil was very reassuring by laughing at my apprehension. Sure he finds it funny, he's known them his whole life. What if there are rules I am not privy to? He did try and tell me once his Dad got angry if you say any word with the letter 'E' in it, I didn't fall for it and Courtney missed her cue to go along with it too. Well, time to man up... I met his Dad first for a brief hello, then went inside where I was introduce to his Mum... phew, the initial part was over... now comes the really scary bit...