The Adventures of Pearl !!! Host list post's #22 and #23

Outstanding posts, Chin! Thanks for taking us along on your road trip with Pearl!

The stone wall in the field reminded me of The Shawshank Redemption. Did you keep an eye out for any out-of-place stones? There might've been a cigar box full of cash buried nearby! ;) :D
 
JohnDF said:
I'm having a lot of fun reading these. Can't wait for the next installment. Thanks.
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btb01 said:
Outstanding posts, Chin! Thanks for taking us along on your road trip with Pearl!

The stone wall in the field reminded me of The Shawshank Redemption. Did you keep an eye out for any out-of-place stones? There might've been a cigar box full of cash buried nearby! ;) :D
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Ha ha, thanks fellas! You know, Barrett there probably has been some cool stuff hidden in these walls in out of the way places over the years!

The main ‘lost treasure’ tale in the area according to local lore, is the fabled Mahogany Ship.
 
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Tower Hill was formed when a rising magma column contacted the bottom of the water table, initiating a series of explosions and eruptions which left this 4km/2.5mile wide crater lake. There are a series of forested ‘scoria cone’ hills in the middle of the caldera.

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Driving down the road which enters a breach on the south side of the caldera and winds down the inside of the crater wall across a low causeway, you can see how rich an area of hunting wetlands this hidden lake would have presented.

Ironically, for the Gunditjmara tribes, who fought a fierce guerilla war against the whalers and graziers’ incursions into their long held hunting and fishing territories, this was seen as a strategically unviable area to hold, accessible as it was to mounted parties with rifles; and they retreated northwards in the 1830s and ‘40s, to the ancient Creator Mountain, of their tribal story cycles: Budj Bim, or Mt Eccles - another volcanic caldera. But the terrain around this one was scattered with volcanic scree and haphazard boulders, making the way perilous for pursuing bands of riders.

In the centre of the volcanic crater, we come to a vistors’ centre run by the local Worn Gundidj tribal council, intersected with a network of walking paths.

These are the central hills in the middle of the crater seen in the previous photos:

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Stepping out of the car, we saw Emus, a curious throwback to the megafauna that once roamed this land:

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Koalas can also be viewed (and smelt) by the alert bushwalker.

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I’m sure they’re viewed as a cute Disneyesque teddy bear of a creature by most people, but to me they’re like the surly, bipolar stoners of the animal world. By day they crash out in the fork of their favourite sweet manna gum tree, slow moving and red eyed - but when you camp in an area of Koalas during mating season - well, it’s an experience not to be relished!

The bloodthirsty grunting and hideous territorial snorting sounds of every koala in the vicinity is enough to keep you awake all night in your tent - and consequently, I have no great love for them!

I’d never seen an Emu drinking from a tap/faucet before!

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Expanding outwards in our journey, like ripples from a stone thrown into a lake, we next stop at the Tower Hill Cemetery, on the east side of the volcano.

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This next grave where one of Koroit's sons, William 'Billy' McLean lies, has been the subject of an annual pilgrimage by locals paying their respects, ever since he died:

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Billy McLean’s epitaph was said to have been written by one of Australia’s best loved writers, Henry Lawson. It concludes: 'A Good Son, A Faithful Mate, and a Devoted Unionist'.

Andrea at the Koroit Historical Society even found me a photograph of him:

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Reaching the nearby coastline, you can see the black, flat topped island known as Deen Maar, or Lady Julia Percy island. It is Australia’s only example of an offshore underwater volcano and is a very old volcano - it was formed maybe 6-7 million years ago. Tower Hill, by contrast was last active only 30,000 years ago. Part of the burial rites of the Gunditjmara tribal groups, mandated that every deceased member of the tribe was buried with their head pointing towards the island - it is an Isle of The Dead.

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In the photo above (the island is on the right horizon), you can also see that the rocks on these clifftops were used as ‘anvil stones’ to break open shellfish, and also to remove the outer marine concretion, encasing the flint ‘cores’ that wash up all over these beaches.

Here are some local flint, edged tools which were on display in the Tower Hill Visitors Centre:

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Deen Maar is also home to 30% of the world population of fur seals, and in the nineteenth century, sealers would stay there for months at a time.

During World War 2, a RAAF reconnaissance plane crash landed on the island. They had probably been looking for a German submarine which was operating in these waters. All four crew members died.

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(You can see Deen Maar on the right horizon in the above pic.)

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Next: Further!
 
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JohnDF said:
Chin, we have really enjoyed your writings and pictures. Thanks!
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Fodderwing said:
Thanks for the link to "the knives of Victoria's shipwreck coast" Chin. A wonderful read that i had no idea existed. Your hosting Pearl has been a real treat; educational and entertaining. Thank you sir.
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Night Rider said:
Very cool :cool::thumbsup: Thanks for the great pics and stories
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Thanks very much John, Dwight and Night Rider, I’m glad you’ve been enjoying our little tour. Back to it when I get home later today - we have the Labour Day long weekend this weekend.

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Great Jack! One of the finest of patinas is one that the well-travelled takes on. Pearl is looking splendid and right at home in Leeds. And yet though she most assuredly is by now a sophisticate and wise in the ways of the world...... I'm with Vince... better keep an eye on that Zorro character. :eek:---:rolleyes:
 
Fodderwing said:
Great Jack! One of the finest of patinas is one that the well-travelled takes on. Pearl is looking splendid and right at home in Leeds. And yet though she most assuredly is by now a sophisticate and wise in the ways of the world...... I'm with Vince... better keep an eye on that Zorro character. :eek:---:rolleyes:
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The Latin blood, you know....;)
 
Prester John said:
Don't leave Pearl alone with Zorro....;)
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Fodderwing said:
Great Jack! One of the finest of patinas is one that the well-travelled takes on. Pearl is looking splendid and right at home in Leeds. And yet though she most assuredly is by now a sophisticate and wise in the ways of the world...... I'm with Vince... better keep an eye on that Zorro character. :eek:---:rolleyes:
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Prester John said:
The Latin blood, you know....;)
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I can understand your concerns gents, but speaking of blood, with her history, I'm more concerned about Lucy! :eek: They're definitely sleeping in different pockets ;) :D :thumbsup:
 
Jack Black said:
Guess who just showed up here in Leeds, England?! :) Cambertree Cambertree - I have been enjoying your posts so much Chin, they have been a real treat :) You're a hard act to follow my friend, but I will try to show Pearl around Yorkshire a little ;) Thanks for shipping her over my friend :thumbsup:

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Great to see Pearl arrived safe and sound after her long journey, Jack.:):thumbsup:

Thanks for the kind words - I’m very much looking forward to seeing some more of Yorkshire as we tag along with you and Pearl.:)

r redden said:
Cambertree Cambertree that was no doubt one of the greatest series of posts I've ever had the privilege to read. I have so enjoyed getting a glimpse of your homeland thank you so much for all the effort you put into this. :thumbsup::cool:
Jack Black Jack Black can't wait to see what Pearl and yourself get into I'm sure it will be excellent as well.
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Thanks Randy, I really appreciate that, buddy, I’ve very much enjoyed having Pearl and y’all along. :)

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Thank you, Randy for all the work you put in looking after this great thread - and Rachel, for the excellent scrimshaw work on Pearl.:cool::thumbsup:

I have a bit more material on Pearl’s travels here - mostly pictures - which I may sprinkle into the the thread if we get one of those gaps between hosts in future. ;)

Jack Black said:
Thanks guys, tonight I am just introducing Pearl to Lucy and Zorro over a couple of beers :) :thumbsup:

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Looks like some tasty brews and an interesting crew of characters, my friend.:thumbsup:

I spy some cool adventures for Pearl on the near horizon!:thumbsup::cool:

I recall that ol’ rogue Earl the Barlow had such a good time in Yorkshire, a few years back, he had to leave the country in a bit of a hurry!:rolleyes::eek:;):D
 
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