Buller Crew Banter Thread

[snowgum]

(I’ve copied and pasted this post from the Reports thread, and hope it’s okay with mods to post here)

Thank you @snowgum. We’re about 20 kms or so south of Mt Buller, as the crow flies.

Off grid and far from communication which has it’s pros and cons. Latter being phone connection is pretty poor, wifi non existent. There are a couple of places we can go for it but even then it’s usually brief and infrequent, which is why there are often frequent delays replying to posts

Pros are that it’s very remote, isolated and very peaceful, and absolutely no one for many miles

We do get plenty of visitors keeping us company though

Although this was today’s guest of honour

great shots thank you. One bird mid size on ground - I don’t recognise species. nightjar?
Very peaceful place - enjoy!

 

[rime noreason]

great shots thank you. One bird mid size on ground - I don’t recognise species. nightjar?
Very peaceful place - enjoy!

Thank you @snowgum . That’s a female Satin Bowerbird

They’re completely different plumage to the males, which have a superb electric blue sheen. Both have electric blue eyes, and the males purloin blue items to decorate their bower nests, and entice the females.

We’ve found their bowers littered with blue pen caps, bottle caps and other blue bits and pieces. We’ve been entertained watching the male trying to pilfer blue items from around our place that are far too big and heavy, such as our chainsaw carrier, or a section of blue on a large crate.

The pair of juveniles below waiting for dad to feed them are similar to the females, but are darker brown and more darkly speckled.

You can see on the last picture, an older juvenile male is starting to grow it’s blue-black adult plumage, which they only begin to do when they’re around 6 or 7 years old and beginning to reach maturity.

 

[nezumi]

Someone needs to explain the difference in notation between millilitres and megalitres to whoever writes the Buller Resort Roundup.

 

[snowgum]

I was going to add ‘Boggy McBogface’ but changed my mind.

 

[Rick Ross Da Boss]

That’s almost as good as the songs they put on there insta stories....

 

[wolly]

Yesterday My Buller lost one of its own . Big Dave from Black Mountain. What a genuine man. Always there to help. Always up for a chat. My Buller and surrounding communities will miss him dearly. RIP Dave

 

[Sadie]

Yesterday My Buller lost one of its own . Big Dave from Black Mountain. What a genuine man. Always there to help. Always up for a chat. My Buller and surrounding communities will miss him dearly. RIP Dave

 

[Dave Clark]

Yesterday My Buller lost one of its own . Big Dave from Black Mountain. What a genuine man. Always there to help. Always up for a chat. My Buller and surrounding communities will miss him dearly. RIP Dave

HUGE loss. Did so much for the mountain. Will be missed by so many.

 

[Sadie]

As perfect send off as it could be. Thanks for giving him one last run. Wish I was there to ride with him one last time

 

[CarveMan]

As perfect send off as it could be. Thanks for giving him one last run. Wish I was there to ride with him one last time

What a send-off. Was just perfect, amazing job by everyone involved, tears were shed during the live stream when the boys skied him down Baldy.

 

[wolly]

watching from the mid station and see them skiing down badly followed by skiddo and groomers was one of the most moving things I have ever seen. A large group of his motorcycle mates met the hearse at Mirimbah and escorted it along the road. RIP Dave

 

[chriscross]

Maybe not the right place to ask but I think someone will know: does Grocon have any connection with Mt Buller? Or are they completely separate?

 

[CarveMan]

Maybe not the right place to ask but I think someone will know: does Grocon have any connection with Mt Buller? Or are they completely separate?

Completely separate

 

[chriscross]

Ok, thanks. Good.

 

[CarveMan]

Yep Rino and Bruno Grollo separated their interests many years ago.

 

[rime noreason]

The last time we were up in the mountains we’d made the most of the snowfall at the start of May, thinking it may be our one and only opportunity to see it this year. At the time, Covid almost appeared licked but how prophetic that turned out to be

So it’s been a long time since we were able to access our mountain retreat (ironic, when it’s at least 20 kilometres from anyone and is the safest place to be during a pandemic not only for ourselves but for everyone else as we couldn’t have spread it to anyone, had we been infected). I'vs posted in this Banter thread rather than the summer report thread as it's photos near Buller, rather than from it.

We’re hoping to plant our feet actually on Buller in another week or two

Despite the months being away, the locals hadn't forgotten us and formed a welcoming committee. Even the King Parrots could hardly wait to get back on the beers.

Colourful mountain wildflowers are in full bloom.

The mountain views are superb

Here she is

Not to be outdone by the colour on the ground, the sun nad clouds got together to create some colour too. This was quite amazing, I've never seen such a vivid sunbow in Australia.

Although the snowgums are next level

 

[wolly]

The last time we were up in the mountains we’d made the most of the snowfall at the start of May, thinking it may be our one and only opportunity to see it this year. At the time, Covid almost appeared licked but how prophetic that turned out to be

So it’s been a long time since we were able to access our mountain retreat (ironic, when it’s at least 20 kilometres from anyone and is the safest place to be during a pandemic not only for ourselves but for everyone else as we couldn’t have spread it to anyone, had we been infected). I'vs posted in this Banter thread rather than the summer report thread as it's photos near Buller, rather than from it.

We’re hoping to plant our feet actually on Buller in another week or two

Despite the months being away, the locals hadn't forgotten us and formed a welcoming committee. Even the King Parrots could hardly wait to get back on the beers.

Colourful mountain wildflowers are in full bloom.

The mountain views are superb

Here she is

Not to be outdone by the colour on the ground, the sun nad clouds got together to create some colour too. This was quite amazing, I've never seen such a vivid sunbow in Australia.

Although the snowgums are next level

jamieson ? howqua ? direction. amazing place

 

[rime noreason]

jamieson ? howqua ? direction. amazing place

We're a little east of Taggerty, @wolly . It's such a privilege that the locals allow us to share their home

 

[FixedGrip]

Great pics

Will try sneak up next week for a poke around - haven't been since our brief window of freedom mid year.

 

[rime noreason]

Great pics

Will try sneak up next week for a poke around - haven't been since our brief window of freedom mid year.

thanks @mx_boarder.
That was our first trip since those precious few weeks inbetween lockdowns, too.

We’re making up for it now though, as we’ve also made a sneaky trip up here for a few days.

I suppose that makes us a good pair of sneakers (lame Dad Joke)

We're only staying at the base as there didn't seem much available on mountain. What a stunning day for it though, it’s spectacular up here today! We plan to hike around the summit at some point, perhaps catch a sunset.

It sure is good to getting amongst it all again at last. I hope you enjoy it as much as we will (I’m sure you will)

that first sweet glimpse

Its so good to be back, thanK you for the welcome, Mansfield!

 

[wolly]

thanks @mx_boarder.
That was our first trip since those precious few weeks inbetween lockdowns, too.

We’re making up for it now though, as we’ve also made a sneaky trip up here for a few days.

I suppose that makes us a good pair of sneakers (lame Dad Joke)

We're only staying at the base as there didn't seem much available on mountain. What a stunning day for it though, it’s spectacular up here today! We plan to hike around the summit at some point, perhaps catch a sunset.

It sure is good to getting amongst it all again at last. I hope you enjoy it as much as we will (I’m sure you will)

that first sweet glimpse

Its so good to be back, thanK you for the welcome, Mansfield!

you need to go to the Mansfield coffee merchant

 

[rime noreason]

Thanks @wolly, we do. We did! That was our lunch plan for the homeward trip. No need for the fire which we’ve sat in front of during winter, and the food was equally good. Beans and goodies, Jobkeeper for the win so we can bring a little bit of Mansfield home with us

I’ll continue a mini trip report here. I can’t even describe how good this week was, all the more precious in this Year of Covid. With the rainy forecast for Tuesday, we hiked up Buller on Monday afternoon not long after my previous post here. With a group of people already at Summit hut, we watched the sunset from Kofler’s instead. With thick low haze possibly from several burn offs in the valley, we knew the sunset wouldn’t be as grand as some so it didn’t bother us not to climb the rest of the way up. It wasn’t the best sunset we’ve seen here but it’s always a good day up here, especially when it’s your “once in a Blue Moon” Birthday.

Before long, that Blue Moon came to my party, peering through Venetian blinds above Mt Stirling.

Heaps of wildlife on the night drive down. Wombats, roos and so many deer we lost count, including a stag with a pair of massive antlers standing raodside.

The sky made more of an effort the following night. Looked stunning as we wathed it surround the mountains from the base

The storms that other areas experienced on Tuesday missed us. A couple of midday showers after which plenty of Delatite trout said G’day. Always only catch and release only so they're still blurping about the river pools.

The morning was warm so we spent it poolside where we had quite a few locals joining us for sunbaking.

 

[snowgum]

A great set of pics RNR!

I love how trusting the bird life can once accustomed to human presence.

It’s quite a calculated risk - as we discovered when an injured adolescent raven chose our porch and ‘us’ over mixing with bigger ravens up above the house!

 

[djam]

sleet/snow here, I wonder if the bike buses are very full today, plenty full yesterday. Good day to
catch up on the paperwork for me.

 

[rime noreason]

I'd wondered if it might snow today @djam. Had to turn the heater on this morning at home, and I can't remember the last time we had to do that in December!

@snowgum , it sure is wonderful to befriend these beautiful creatures. Rosellas are notoriously timid, and I’ve managed to gain the trust of one over these past months of lockdown. We’re fortunate to live on a little bit of land, so other people can’t hear me, but it’s a little known fact that I’m fluent in speaking parrotese

If it’s not snowing, last week was stunning mountain weather, Mother Nature turned up the dial to spectacular. Cloudless deep blue from horizon to horizon, beauty in every direction. An early start on one of our days, only 2 degrees in the village at 8am. Colder than it sometimes is in winter. The clear cloudless sky accounts for the the crisp starts which were perfect for hiking. A little part of me thinks spring and autumn may be just as scenic as winter.

According to SM (Soul Mate) we hiked every single Buller trail, twice over.

SM is not a skier or into long hikes, so I encouraged and praised by saying things like, Well done you, there’s not many who could hike the whole mountain in a day, and twice over that’s for sure. (We actually only hiked the loop to Corn Hill that day, and just the once)

Wildlflowers spread splashes of colour across the mountain. Showy blues pinks and vivid yellows to the tiniest little white ones. The tip of my finger is beside these microscopic things as an indication of size.

Delicate ferns unfurled new growth.Love the iridescent wings on the photobombing bug

We saw a couple of the gorgeous green Macleay's Swallowtail butterflies but they just flitted so quickly and didn't settle so I couldn't get a picture. I only managed to get one of the common Forest Brown

 

[snowgum]

Stunning pics!

 

[rime noreason]

Thanks @snowgum . Speaking of which, I could admire the mountain's majestic snowgums all day. The colours, textures and shapes are incredibly beautiful.

I love the shadow cast by this one

Ths pair appears to be saying May I have this dance?

The natural sculptures outshine the manmade ones, some by a long shot. It may be “renown” and world travelled, but I thought the gender stereotypes of this sculpture went out with Medieval times. The Powder-hound in front, the "little lady” ski-bunny at the back, trying to hang on keep up as though she can’t ski on her own. Really, Mt Buller?

The facial expressions on the locals summed it up

Thnakfully there are plenty of natural views that make up for the sculpture.

 

[MickM]

Awesome pics, keep them coming.

Great to see even if there is no snow around!

Really missed the Mountain this year, sigh!

 

[DbSki]

 

[Dave Clark]

I'd wondered if it might snow today @djam. Had to turn the heater on this morning at home, and I can't remember the last time we had to do that in December!

@snowgum , it sure is wonderful to befriend these beautiful creatures. Rosellas are notoriously timid, and I’ve managed to gain the trust of one over these past months of lockdown. We’re fortunate to live on a little bit of land, so other people can’t hear me, but it’s a little known fact that I’m fluent in speaking parrotese

If it’s not snowing, last week was stunning mountain weather, Mother Nature turned up the dial to spectacular. Cloudless deep blue from horizon to horizon, beauty in every direction. An early start on one of our days, only 2 degrees in the village at 8am. Colder than it sometimes is in winter. The clear cloudless sky accounts for the the crisp starts which were perfect for hiking. A little part of me thinks spring and autumn may be just as scenic as winter.

According to SM (Soul Mate) we hiked every single Buller trail, twice over.

SM is not a skier or into long hikes, so I encouraged and praised by saying things like, Well done you, there’s not many who could hike the whole mountain in a day, and twice over that’s for sure. (We actually only hiked the loop to Corn Hill that day, and just the once)

Wildlflowers spread splashes of colour across the mountain. Showy blues pinks and vivid yellows to the tiniest little white ones. The tip of my finger is beside these microscopic things as an indication of size.

Delicate ferns unfurled new growth.Love the iridescent wings on the photobombing bug

We saw a couple of the gorgeous green Macleay's Swallowtail butterflies but they just flitted so quickly and didn't settle so I couldn't get a picture. I only managed to get one of the common Forest Brown

Beautiful!! Any chance I can share on Buller's social stories please? Can credit / no credit whatever you prefer.

 

[rime noreason]

Awesome pics, keep them coming.

Great to see even if there is no snow around!

Really missed the Mountain this year, sigh!

thanks @MickM , it felt like a physical ache not to be there most of this year, not just psychological. It was fantastic to be up there again although this trip will have to sustain us now until the worst of summer is over. Bring on 2021.

Beautiful!! Any chance I can share on Buller's social stories please? Can credit / no credit whatever you prefer.

Thank you @Dave Clark . I've sent you a Private Message

 

[Just up from Merrijig]

Hope we all enjoy Covid tests……

 

[BullerBoyz]

Please tell me that idiot Andrews is surely NOT proposing this :

What are Victoria’s new COVID restrictions?

The government has eased rules for Victoria’s latest lockdown, here’s everything you need to know.

www.theage.com.au

The Age ...​

Travel limit​

The 25km limit on travel outside the home will be scrapped. Movement to regional Victoria is unrestricted.

Travel to Alpine Resorts is permitted if visitors have a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departing Melbourne. Visitors will have to show proof of the test to be allowed entry to the ski fields.

 

[Just up from Merrijig]

And we have had our first cancellation….

Makes a weekend trip a big adventure…

No need to isolate between test and result….

And for parents/kids doing squad - wow!

 

[Gototakahashi]

The quest to destroy the Victorian Ski Industry continues!

I hope everyone remember this come election time. Adolf Andrews must go.

 

[Alexg1687]

Presumably the entire day trip market just disappeared. And I assume most people wont want to get a test every Wednesday for the duration of the season, so there goes most of the weekend crowd. For those lucky enough to be able to spend 2 weeks up there at a time it might work. But can BSL operate under those conditions? If there is good snow, would you bother opening anything other than Bourke Street and Wombat when there are maybe 1,000 people on the mountain?

 

[xuěboarder]

Presumably the entire day trip market just disappeared. And I assume most people wont want to get a test every Wednesday for the duration of the season, so there goes most of the weekend crowd. For those lucky enough to be able to spend 2 weeks up there at a time it might work. But can BSL operate under those conditions? If there is good snow, would you bother opening anything other than Bourke Street and Wombat when there are maybe 1,000 people on the mountain?

I mean, ill get a weekly test. I won't like it, but I'll do it

 

[CarveMan]

How's the line at the toll gate going to be ?

 

[Gototakahashi]

So how does this work?

Can we get a test if we are asymptomatic?
Are asymptotic tests free?
Do we have to isolate in between tests and results?

How will day trips work? We need answers!

 

[CarveMan]

So how does this work?

Can we get a test if we are asymptomatic?
Are asymptotic tests free?
Do we have to isolate in between tests and results?

How will day trips work? We need answers!

Right now Asymptomatic tests cost $170

This is the company that runs the testing site near my work: https://www.starhealth.org.au/covid19/

 

[BullerBoyz]

I mean, ill get a weekly test. I won't like it, but I'll do it

...WAIT 2 HOURS EACH TUE/WED NIGHT ? doh.

 

[xuěboarder]

...WAIT 2 HOURS EACH TUE/WED NIGHT ? doh.

Yeah? Even a 4h wait pales in comparison to missing another season..

 

[djam]

finally they have found a way to address the mid week booking issue

I'm sure this is somewhat temporary until the Melbourne cases stabilize. The snow will hold off till then so as not to disappoint.

 

[MickM]

Do regional people need to get the test?

 

[absentskier]

Do regional people need to get the test?

No.

 

[wolly]

It's good. Those keen enough to ski one run will get a test and be done with it. It will keep the ski resorts staff safe and hopefully in a few weeks you will not need a test before you head to the slopes

 

[BullerBoyz]

I've heard from people who are connected with mountain management that the resorts did in fact request this to avoid the complete shut down a la Whistler and others. So, the rule will be here for the season, Buller's 80% weekend trade is shot so I'd call that an own goal.
Maybe the mountains could have considered the challenge of getting a test, before 9am or after 5pm, before making this decision. What do we do, pull kids out of school mid week to get a test? Skip work myself? Pure lunacy.

...but please, continue to go to the rub 'n' tug "massage" centres here in the inner city suburbs, go to the gym, go and stand in queue at Coles because "Professor" Sutton has said that's fine.

 

[CarveMan]

I've heard from people who are connected with mountain management that the resorts did in fact request this to avoid the complete shut down a la Whistler and others. So, the rule will be here for the season, Buller's 80% weekend trade is shot so I'd call that an own goal.

When you’ve got a gun to your head, what can you do? I’m sure the resorts would prefer to be working under the NSW government who would be actively working to keep them open, not threatening to shut them down completely.

 

[absentskier]

I've heard from people who are connected with mountain management that the resorts did in fact request this to avoid the complete shut down a la Whistler and others. So, the rule will be here for the season, Buller's 80% weekend trade is shot so I'd call that an own goal.

Fascinating if correct.

Edit: unless the other option was closure!

 

[xuěboarder]

Fascinating if correct.

Edit: unless the other option was closure!

Could have been a rock and a hard place sort of situation with the timing of the recent outbreak. There's enough connected people on here, im sure there will be word soon enough.