Sunday 27th December

Clive went off to Sunday Mass and then on the way back decided to go through town. They had the local markets on with plenty of stalls selling arts and crafts. He managed to get me some nice fridge magnets and Norfolk Island pen.

So Clive is off on his walk again. Today he wants to go to Mt. Pitt. At 320m this is the second tallest mountain on the island and easy to get to as you literally drive straight up there. A great view of the island and also the airport area. 6kms off shore directly south is Phillip Island, which is slowly recovering thanks to a successful eradication program in the 80's to get rid of rats etc. Phillip Island is now reclaiming it's importance as a seabird breeding site.

Then he decided to walk to Mount Bates which at 321m is the tallest mountain on the island. This is called the Summit Track for obvious reasons. Well an easy 500m walk that goes up and down so it's not just a matter of 'climbing' up a metre. He then decided to start on the Red Road Track. If you have a few hours to spare this one actually meets up with the Bridle Track that is at Captain Cook Monument. After about 15 minutes on this track it was time to turn around and start heading back to the car.

Using a post he tried taking a 'selfie' but with the camera timer only being two seconds this didn't prove to be very successful. Reading the manual later he found there was a 12 second timer!! Driving back to Tau Gardens from here you go past the Botanic Gardens and so in he went to have a walk around there. He did most of the tracks they have including the Rainforest Gully Circuit. They have over 170 actual steps you have to go down as well as smaller ones along the track. And of course you have to come out from the bottom of the gully too, although this seems easier as there is fewer steps as the track seems to slope upwards following the gradient of the hill.

Clive finally got home at 5.30 - 30 minutes late and is now on restrictions!! He had me worried as we have limited communications.

We tried to capture a few sunset photos but these were generally unsuccessful.

Tea was left over roast chicken and vegetables.

It turns out the all the signs in teh Botanic Gardens were done by the printer next door to where we work - Print Central.

9.00am Mass starts with the Rosary at 8.30.	It's beautiful inside the church.	.	.
.	Their Manger scene.	The Prestbetry even comes with a car.	Gai thinking.
National Park on the other side of the island.	Mount Pitt .	.	Neapean Island is the closest one.
.	Upto the radio towers.	.	.

Looking back to the first lookout.	Beware the easy walk.	Down steps first.	Part way along. Seat and viewing platform.
Not a bad view.	.	Another seat to rest.	Nearly there.
.	The remains .	.	The track continues.
More steep hills.	.	.	Made it .
This hole was hand dug.	Great views .	Phillip Island in the distance.	The airport is centre picture.
.	.	.	The Red Road Track.
.	The selfie .	Unfortunately I had to go uphill.	.
Then downhill.	.	.	.
.	The Botanic Garden.	Wheelchair friendly access.	Plenty of walking tracks.
Start step counting.	You have to climb some on the way back.	.	.
The gully is finally reached.	.	.	It's back to the top.
Tree Fern Valley Circuit.	Plenty of informative signs.	Back at the cottage.	.
.	.	Sunset .	.