Portland, Victoria - Waiting, Watching and Sawdust

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Portland collage  

We're still in Portland, waiting for a weather window to head west towards Adelaide. The winds in this area have been reasonable, but the winds further to the west have not. We have to wait for them to get in sync and play well together. Perhaps soon?

 

portland sunrise over the breakwater

 

In the meantime, we haven't been bored in Portland. The sunrises and sunsets here have been awesome.

 

portland victoria white kangaroo

 

Beyond our first foray, we've been in town most everyday and always found something to amuse us. We walked out to the Fauna Park to watch the white kangaroos one day.

 

portland victoria maritime discovery museum lifeboat

 

Another day, we visited the Maritime Discovery Museum which houses the famous Portland Lifeboat used in the rescue of passengers from the sinking ship Admella in 1859.

 

portland victoria maritime discovery museum whale skeleton mc

 

Also on display is a huge sperm whale skeleton, large enough to walk inside. Gives you a Jonah kind of feeling as you sit inside its ribcage. Both blue whales and southern rights still visit these waters frequently. Whenever one is spotted, they fly a yellow flag outside the Visitor's Center to alert folks to be on the lookout for spouts.

 

portland victoria cable tram

 

There's a vintage cable tram with a restored 1886 saloon car that travels a 3.5km route along the coast and harbor. We prefer walking, but we enjoyed watching a little bit of history pass by.

 

portland victoria roundabout street signs1

 

There's a charm to this little city … its little alleyways, historic bluestone buildings and street signs at each roundabout in town.

 

portland victoria outboard cover

 

I did manage to get the cover and lifting harness made for the new outboard engine and the IRS tax prep work is done. Taxes are much easier now that we're unemployed and don't have much income.

 

portland victoria sawdust

 

The only negative thing about Portland ... it's done us dirty. The decks, canvas, the rigging … every surface inside and out is covered in sawdust from the wood chip plant across the bay. A good rainstorm of the non-violent variety would be a blessing.

 

Days and Ways to Celebrate
A daily list of mostly obscure holidays and fun ways to celebrate them.
International World Thinking Day
Inspired by worldwide Girl Scouts/Girl Guides organizations. This year's dual themes are children's and mother's health.
George Washington's Birthday (2/22/1732)
Really! Eat some cherry pie!
National Margarita Day
End of a busy day celebrating? Relax with this wonderful tequila-based concoction OR enjoy it just as much without the alcohol.