Spring is in the air...

We're starting to see more sun and less rain, which is a nice change of pace considering we went from winter to spring to winter again. After nearly a year of gray, rainy weather, we're ready for something new. To celebrate the arrival of spring, we headed to the hills for a little bushwalking. We took the train to Dandenong National Park, about an hour from Melbourne, where the couple at the visitor center recommended that go along the 1000 steps trail. We followed the steps up walking through red mud, under ferns, past eucalyptus (the smell was so refreshing), seeing interesting birds, hearing lots of strange noises (the birds here don't chirp like the ones back home), and of course, taking lots of breaks along the way. When we got to the top, we rested a bit, and then decided to continue along another trail. About a third of the way down the second trail, the sky started clouding over, and not much later, it started pouring. We turned back and headed toward the picnic area at the trail head. Unfortunately, by the time we got there, we were soaking wet. Oh well, at least we were able to take some cover from the rain and get out of the wind. We waited out the storm and then decided to just go back down the 1000 steps trail and catch the train home. I guess it must be a little early yet for bushwalking!

PS. Remember when looking at our pictures that the camera (not the bikkies and meat pies) adds 10 pounds!