Penguins

Tues. 16th May(continued)
Robyn and I drive down to Phillip Island over looking the Bass Straight. We have sunny bright weather and the countryside on the way is flat containing mangrove swamps as well as much reclaimed fertile farming country.
Phillip Island has many Isle of Wight names like Ventnor and Cowes. We stop at Cowes and walk along the beach there.
We drive to the furthest point - to the Nobbies - a series of small islands/rocks created from sea erosion of the land. Once the resting place of over 200,000 seals before settlers came (sealions, walrus and seals noted for their fur.) Seals where reduced to a few hundred but now with protection are increasing again and now number some 20,000. A very sensible wooden walkway (managed by Parks Victoria) now protects the cliffs from visitor erosion.
On to the Penguins' Visitor Centre. This is a magnificent place managed by a separate Trust (the Penguin Foundation) for school tours and coach loads of tourists. We are in the low season and enjoy comparative peace and space.
At 5pm we (a number of tourists) are escorted by a Ranger down to a platform and are told to be quiet and not to use photographic equipment etc. so as not to frighten the penguins. At about 5.55pm (late dusk) a 'raft' of about 10 miniscule penguins bounce out of a wave and start their waddling up the beach. They are the smallest penguin breed in the world (used to be called 'Fairy' penguins: but in the light of political correctness are refered to as 'Little' penguins.) Then another raft arrive - perhaps 80 plus and they too start their nightly tortuous waddle to their burrows - some of which are high up in the cliffs, up steep penguin pathways. We see about 800 in all. The nearly mature chicks who have stayed at home all day in the burrows, screech a loud welcome to their parents (full of fish to regurgitate) and there is much chattering and noise as they all settle down for the night. At dawn of course they all set off into the ocean for another days fishing. Some of the penguins look at the humans looking at them - it is a curious interaction.
Tonight the sky was clear of cloud and bright. For the first time I get a full sight of the Southern Sky at night. Orion is at an angle I had never personally witnessed before, as are all the other stars and the moon is now waning but again 'upside down' to what I am used to.

Wednesday 17th May

Today (after yet another necessary trip to the vets with Polly as her lumps are growing rather too quickly for our liking) we set off on a day trip (with Polly and Percy and Robin this time.)
Travel north to Olinda - an attractive country place in hills and forest and onto Hamer Arboreatum where we get a good view of the Great Dividing Range. Dogs enjoy a walk.
On to Yarra Valley and lunch (in a sumptuous setting: Chateau Yering!) at Yering Station. Yering Station is a well established winery - producing excellent wines of many different grape varieties. We enjoy the extensive gardens and buildings. Again we are in the low season - the grape harvest is in and there is not much happening.
On to Sylvan Reservoir - another walk for the dogs.
Today we see excellent autumn colours in the trees - but all these trees are 'imports' - the natural indigenous trees shed all the year round without autumn colours.