Crossing the bridge: Phillip Island

After living on King Island (located on the western side of Bass Strait, midway between Tasmania and Victoria) where the only way on and off the island is by plane, the fact that Phillip Island has a bridge is a big plus.

Built in 1969, at a cost of 3.25 million, this 650 m long concrete and steel structure spans a stretch of water known as the Eastern Passage.

George Bass discovered this passage in 1798. The channel, which is closer to San Remo than Phillip Island, is 7 to 8 m deep at low water, but up to 18 m at its deepest point. The water tends to rush through the passage, at a speed of 9 knots.

But back to the bridge. As it has only two lanes (extending to three very narrow lanes during major events such as the Motorcycle Grand Prix) traffic builds up over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Several poorly designed roundabouts, as well as the bridge, mean that the 65,000 people driving onto the island yesterday and today often experience major hold-ups of traffic. Boxing Day is usually the worst day, traffic-wise.

A couple of years ago we had a near head-on collision midway across the bridge, when a man driving towards us had a seizure and swerved onto our side of the road. It was a terrifying moment and it was only Doug's quick reaction that saved us. Consequently, we are now always on high alert when crossing the bridge.

Even so, I love the bridge and its symbolism of entering a special place -- an emerald green island surrounded by glittering blue sea.

Our Christmas Day: Phillip Island

Happy Christmas to all my friends.

Among our wide group of friends and family we see many different ways of celebrating Christmas. Some people help provide community Christmas dinners; some give gifts such as goats to overseas aid organisations; some buy all their gifts from Op shops with nothing costing over $10; some invite neighbours to join them for Christmas dinner; some give a donation to a charity -- there are many, many ways of helping people less fortunate than ourselves.

Our Christmas meals are no different to our usual meals. My very limited diet means I can't eat a traditional Christmas dinner and Doug chooses not to eat that sort of food. Neither of us feels left out or deprived in any way. We have all that we need and desire: we realise we are privileged to live where we live, and in Australia.

This morning we enjoyed coffee, gluten-free cake and spirited conversation with our Jewish friends Owen and Jade. Which reminds me of the jade plant I have growing in a pot by our front door. This plant is symbolic of friendship: it welcomes people to our home.

On Christmas day, phone calls to family and friends, as well as Christmas cards and letters keeps us in touch with a wide variety of people from all over Australia and around the world. For us, this is the best part of Christmas.

I'll include a couple of photos that show ripple effects on sand -- at our beach. I love the way waves carve ripples into the sand. This is my Christmas day gift to you.

The last few days before Christmas

These last few days before Christmas mark a lull before the frenzy that hits Phillip Island over the Christmas, New Year and summer holiday period. The population goes from around 7000 people to about 70,000!

Needless to say, our island undergoes a change. While most visitors behave in an agreeable way, there's also an element of bad behaviour -- vandalism, road rage, uncontrolled dogs and children, bad manners in shops -- -- --. The police are busy; locals tend to lie low.

Therefore, we savour these last few walks along beaches we've had to ourselves throughout December. For the next couple of weeks our dogs will stay home on particularly busy days, not because it's illegal to have them on the beach, rather that we're not prepared to run the risk of other people's dogs rushing up aggressively to our two shepherds on leads. It's too stressful and too much of a risk. Our dogs are not aggressive but they are large and we don't want them subjected to provocation.

Exercise wise, Major and Del will be fine. With at least 12 rabbits living in our garden, the dogs tear around at high speed and then collapse exhausted into their beds on the verandah. As far as we're concerned, we'll continue our beach walks but instead of the focus being on the dogs, we'll be meeting people and beachcombing.

Having kilometres of beach to ourselves is a luxury, I know. All that glistening water for the dogs to swim and play in, all that sand on which to run free. Today was the last day of freedom, with the hordes arriving tonight, tomorrow and Boxing Day.

1950 Norton Dominator rebuilt from boxes

Doug's workshop holds an unbelievable quantity and variety of tools and works in progress, and Doug is an expert at fixing all manner of things.

After four years of work, Doug's 1950 Norton Dominator motorcycle is nearing completion. Bought in boxes of parts, pieces of frame and wheels, Doug has patiently and methodically reconstructed the motorcycle. Parts he couldn't buy, he made up on his lathe; others were sourced via the Internet or from his motorcycle friends.

Engine, gearbox, clutch, wheels, frame -- they went together like a massive jigsaw.

Yesterday, after three kick starts, the engine roared into action. Victory. Congratulations, Doug!

Sand flies are a curse: Phillip Island

My grandfather was a cynic and one of his favourite sayings was, "There's always something to spoil everything". I have to admit there's some truth in my grandfather's quote, especially when it comes to sand flies.

Currently, sand flies (known locally as midges) are a problem on Phillip Island, both for us and the dogs. Yesterday we had to take Major to the vet because of intense itchiness. He was breaking his skin into sores through severe scratching and biting of sand fly bites. Today, after a cortisone injection and a soothing cream, he's much more comfortable. Fortunately Del is not as sensitive to sand fly bites.

We are trying to prevent the dogs lying on grass, because this is where the sand flies live -- as well as in shrubbery. I'm allergic to sand flies too and got bitten last night when I paused to take photos along the bush track. Although I was aware of them swarming around me and I was wearing protective clothing and a hat, still they burrowed into my hair and bit my scalp. Today I have very itchy lumps between my collar and where my hat sits.

Soaking in cold water and standing wet in a breeze are well-known remedies for relieving itchiness. This Major knows, choosing to stand still in the cold water of the bay, as well as retrieve sticks, swim and chase Del through the water.

The salt water also soothes skin abrasions. When dry, the water leaves a residue of salt on the dogs fur and skin which probably deters sand flies; to a degree. All in all, sea swimming is therapeutic as well as great fun.

In my experience, positives always outweigh the negatives. Happiness is a chosen state of mind. I tolerate sand flies because they are part of the coastal ecology in this part of the world. On the other hand though, I don't like them one little bit!

The rich tapestry of life in and around me: Ph. Is.

Every evening we walk from our house, down a bush track, along the boardwalk that goes over the mutton bird rookery and then, stepping onto the beach, walk for about 1 km to Opal Point. While Del and Major swim, run and play, Doug and I walk, talk and beachcomb.

Every beach walk is the same yet different: every day I see something unusual. Today my treasures included a cowrie, a cone shell,a sea urchin with unusual red spines, and a piece of burnt wood that's been smoothed and moulded by the combined action of rocks, sand and surf.

Coming back up the boardwalk I noticed purplish-red bird droppings splattered on the pine planks -- and then nearby, a seaberry saltbush shrub with its dark red berry-like fruits. Birds had been feasting! I know these are only small things in the scheme of the universe, yet each thing tells me a little more about the rich tapestry of life in and around me.

Shipping on Western Port Bay: Phillip Island

Even on cold blustery days when beach walks lose their appeal, the view of Western Port Bay -- as seen from our lounge room -- offers variety and interest.

The Seal Rocks ferry makes a daily (twice or three times daily in the peak tourist season) trip between Cowes and Seal Rocks.

Sea kayaks, yachts, oil tankers, gas ships, oil rigs, bulk steel cargo ships -- all these and more move across our seascape.

Today I've played my guitar, seen an oil tanker pass by, experimented with my new watercolour paints, had two long conversations with friends on the phone, been for a walk along the beach with the dogs, found some unusual shells -- and I've done some housework as well! Nothing very dramatic; just a pleasant day at home.