November ... and a snake photo

November started off with a weekend swim meet. Fortunately It finished quite early on the Sunday and I not only got home at a reasonable hour I also managed to get in a 6km walk from Cooleman Court home around the base of Mt Arawang.

To add to my lizard photo collection I came across a blue tongue lizard racing across the track. By the time I got the camera out he was disappearing over the edge but then he stopped and I managed to get some photos.

I also managed to capture sunset which was pretty spectacular.

On Sunday 9 Trevor and I had breakfast in Civic before I headed off on a longish walk home. My route took me across Civic, through ANU (the Australian National University), into the National Botanical Gardens, up Black Mountain, down the southern side of Black Mountain, then along the shore of Lake Burley Griffin before picking up the track that leads to Weston Creek (and Cooleman Court) and finally home. All  up I walked 22.78km with 500m of climb.

A lizard in the Botanical Gardens

The gardens were awash with colour

Another lizard. This one was on the track going up Black Mountain. He played the "If I don't move you can't see me" game. I still saw him!

View from the side of Black Mountain looking over Lake Burley Griffin

On Saturday 15 November my niece Kerri-Lee, daughter of my younger brother Peter, was getting married and Trevor and I headed off to Victoria for the wedding on the Friday and we stayed at my sister Sue's. From Sue's house there is easy access to the rail trail that runs from Bairnsdale through to Orbost. I have previously walked the first section of the trail (see my post from 30 June East Gippsland RailTrail part 1) and walked bits from Sue's out towards, and sometimes to, Nicholson. With plenty of time before my appointment with the hairdresser I headed out along the rail trail. Sue had headed off on her bike about the same time and I did see her and a riding companion beetling along the highway as I headed towards Nicholson.

I turned around after 6kms and headed home.

The rabbits are still very much in evidence and birds kept tempting me to stop and try to get a photo of them but I was disciplined and kept walking.


I had almost reached my trail exit point when something caught my eye. I had actually passed something in the grass on the edge of the track. I stopped and went back to check. This was no lizard.

The yellow things are flowers. The black thing was not a discarded bike tire but a snake.

After a quick shower it was off to get my hair done.

After lunch we piled in to Sue's car and headed for Maffra where we were staying the night. Older sister Jen was picking us up and taking us out to the winery where the wedding was being held so that we did not have to be concerned about driving.

Sue, Jen and Lorraine

The weather was threatening and held off until we got back to our motel.

The groom (Chris King), celebrant and groomsmen ready and waiting

Peter escorting Kerri-Lee "up the aisle"

Exchanging vowels

Signing the register

The bridal party

Peter and Jenny with daughter Kerri-Lee and husband Chris

Cutting the cake

It was a bit nippy while we waited for the bridal party to arrive for the reception and the heaters and blankets provided by the venue were welcome.

Kerri-Lee and Chris, I wish you both the very best for whatever lies ahead.

Jen duly dropped us off at the motel but not before hairing right around the roundabout at the entrance to Maffra ... and she was sober!

The next morning Trevor and I headed out to Nambrok and niece Helen's converted church. Jen was staying with Helen and I had hiking boots and clothes for Jen to try on.

Next was a catch up with sister Liz in Sale.

(l-r) Liz, Sue, Peter, Jen, Lorraine. [Missing: John]

Trevor and I returned home on the Monday having had a very pleasant weekend with family activities.

During November there were quite a few good sunsets and interesting light effects.

And now for the November stats:

Distance: 327kms (daily average: 40.92km)
Elevation gain: 4070m (daily average: 136m) ... oops even less than October!
Steps: 658117 (daily average: 21937)