Another ‘lousy’ day in Australia.   The first bird of the day was a rosella spotted as we were climbing into Colette’s car and then later we screamed for her to stop as a flock of black cockatoos flew next to us.  They alighted in a nearby tree and we leapt out excitedly to get photographs – not an easy task as the light was wrong and the birds kept flying away.

Eastern Rosella

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

Our first port of call was Blue Gum Hills Regional Park.   It is a beautiful place with lots of wonderful gum trees and it is here that one can have a tree top adventure.   If you are young and brave and after a short training course and $45 you can get all harnessed up, walk along rickerty boards and fly through the treetops on a ‘flying fox’.   Yes – I thought – this would be fun but my darling husband was too terrified to let me go.   On second reflection I noticed that most of the participants were under 20 so perhaps he was right to restrain my enthusiasm.   Instead we took a gentle stroll along uncomplicated paths but the only excitement we achieved was watching the younger generation fly through the trees.

This requires good balance and nerves of steel

I called to the young lass on this shuddering course.  “Isn’t it scary?”     “Yes!” she replied but with a broad smile on her face!

From a high platform they zoom along the ‘flying fox’

Screaming all the way

Having seen many of Australia’s animals in the wild we weren’t that keen on visiting a zoo but Blackbutt has a good reputation so we decided to take a look.   We had to pay for parking but admission was free.  The park is set amongst beautiful trees and everything is pristine. Boardwalks take you to each section and you have to look quite carefully before you spot the creatures.

The boardwalk

Rock Wallaby in his cave

A river runs through it

Pied Heron

Gouldian Finch

Forest Kingfisher

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo – Saw this one free in the gardens

Colette and Leonie (who is feeling a little better after her tooth ordeal) then took us to The Sixteen Footer Sailing Club for lunch.  This is yet another wonderful lakeside spot with a fabulous view.  The food was excellent too!

Belmont

Sixteen Footers Club

Fabulous Food and Good Company

Boats everywhere

A yacht sails by

Welcome Swallows on the wire

Closeup

The weather was really warm today but there was a cool breeze where we sat on the deck.  What a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

Tomorrow is our last day in Cardiff and then its off to Sydney for a week on Sunday.  We certainly have had a very happy time here!