During our last set in the "Mechanics Institute" (a beautiful little theatre where we played two of our three shows) Caroline ran backstage to grab her camera to videotape our audience. We, Lovelies, quick to learn that the common greeting in Australia is: "How are you going?" and not "How are you doing?" asked our audience how they were going with the camera rolling - and the hooting and hollering that ensued was hilarious! They screamed and shouted and said hello to our parents back home! And now we have proof to show our moms that people did in fact come to our concerts down under.
Monday morning, after saying goodbye to the beach, and to the amazing coffee shop "Wickens" (that we visited every day to use the internet and drink "flat whites" and "long darks") we headed further across the Great Ocean Road and took in some incredible vistas and stunning rock formations along the coast line.
This photo above is a rare one of the three of us taken at the 12 Apostles (now apparently there are only six apostles as the sea has battered the other six down to wee nubs.) The photo below is a shot of two of the apostles that remain. In person they look like pottery standing still while the waves whip them day and night. Truly they are a sight to see.
During our drive to Bendigo we counted at least a thousand sheep (I'm sure there were more, I just couldn't keep up.) We passed alpacas and cows, and horses and ponies. In fact - in one town there was a horse in his own private fenced-in area, where passers-by like us could get out and pet him. Sue pulled over and immediately made friends with him. A little further down the road in a town called Beeac, we spotted five children - all under the age of 12- riding two ponies in their front yard. There were no adults around - just these five kids and two ponies. Everything looked perfectly normal... the kids were great with the animals and the ponies looked to be having a delightful time as the kids climbed on them and rode them around.
What is this magical place? (Below is a photo of some newly shorn alpacas...I love alpacas and llamas and can't get enough of them.)
We learned that peppers are called 'capsicum' here. When we asked our pizza girl what this word was she looked at us like we had three heads. We're learning something new every day and making friends while we do it.
The sun set while we meandered along the highways to Bendigo and we couldn't resist snapping a shot of the three of us in the romantic hue of sunset while storm clouds gathered behind us. When we stopped, we could hear the noisy chatter of what looked like a dozen bright red parrots. What I wish I could convey through this blog are the noises and aromas that are leaving an indellible impression on the three of us. These parrots are so loud from such a far distance, I can't imagine what they sound like close up.
I'm delighted to tell you that this morning while having a sip of coffee before heading out to our ABC Radio interview, I spotted a spider the size of my fist. In an effort to keep my cool, I grabbed Caroline's arm with the strength of ten men, and dragged her to my discovery. We determined this fuzzy creature was not harmful and we let him be - but I may regret that decision later if I find him inside my suitcase. :)
Our first band tarantula.
We're here in Bendigo now, and our hosts Prue and Keith have been amazing. Prue made us coffee this morning and escorted us to our interview. She gave us a tour of the town, and let us know what the must-see attractions are. We've wandered around today and are excited about playing our show with the folk club tonight under the grandstand just down the street.
It's Tuesday afternoon here, and back in Ontario it's just after 1:15am. I hope you're enjoying the beginning of spring time.. I hope it keeps up.
xo/ko
