Rain, rain go away!

It has been raining all day here: light but persistent and penetrating. A good day to be in the car. I headed out to Jamison some 35k from Mansfield through open farmland and tracts of bush sometimes skirting the edges of Eildon weir.

Jamison is a small town, remnant of a brief period of gold mining and now the jumping off point for serious 4x4 drivers exploring  alpine areas of the Aberfeddy Track. I had thought to travel further but after viewing a number of very dirty, mud-caked landcruisers parked outside the coffee shop and speaking to a friendly local, once a resident of Canberra, I turned back. The roads looked so inviting! Maybe not on my own though!  

Deletite Winery for lunch was my next stop -  regretfully declining the wine tasting I settled for the Vinter's Plate with mineral water,  although I did buy of bottle of their Shiraz for later. Covid has severely impacted hospitality! Something is lost when really great food is delivered in a cardboard box with a paper plate and bamboo cutlery!

Still it was pleasant sitting sheltered from the rain and looking over the vineyard.

Although still raining I drove up Mt Buller - stupid really because couldn't see anything! Numerous road signs warned of kangaroos and lyrebirds, falling rocks -"...do not stop for next 500 metres", hairpin bends and "Slippery when wet". The village is substantial -  buildings of grey-green and brown timber and stone fitting into the colours of the bush. Like most ski resorts in summer pretty much everything is closed with most activity building, renovating or repairing for the coming season. The ski runs look fabulous.

Despite the signage I saw no wildlife until I came across a group of Subocrinus Gnomus or Mountain Gnomes.  Subocrinus Gnomus may be spotted at times in the village but always congregate at a treehouse half way up the road.

Subocrinus Gnomus are approximately 15 - 30 cm tall and may weigh as much as a ski boot! They love the snow but also enjoy summer when they can play with their friends the Mountain Pygmy-possums who hibernate during winter.

What a delightful way to draw attention to the precious Pygmy-possums who are found on the mountain. 

    Deletite River - beautiful despite the rain.

Now I 'm watching a re-run of JAG (remember this show from years ago?) and drinking a glass of that Shiraz!