Starting a story with a bit of self-indulgence I guess is a little… self-indulgent! :)

So bear with me. We’ll get to some real bears soon!

Some of you may have heard of the sci-fi novel Dune, first published in 1965 - considered one of the best books of all time. Actually part of a series of six books written by Frank Herbert.

Ten years after his death in 1985, his son partnered with sci-fi writer Kevin J. Anderson to expand the universe even further. At the last count I think there are around 21 novels in the Dune universe.

Why is this book so significant I hear you say? Thank you for asking.

I haven’t been much of a reader. If it wasn’t in the sports pages or published in Rugby League Week, I probably didn’t read it in my teen years.

I’m not sure who it was, and I’m forever grateful to them, but someone in my first year at Uni handed me Dune to read. And I did.

It resonated with me enormously. The rich universe, with diverse cultures and characters.

Over the years I’ve read Dune many, many times… I’ve tracked down and read around 12 of the other novels. All good, but nothing like the masterpiece that is Dune!

So when Mitch and I heard that a new adaption of Dune (don’t bother with the previous) was being brought to the big screen we were both extremely keen to see it.

I arranged a couple of days off work to head down the Hume Hwy and spend some time with Mitch.

He booked tickets for us at the IMAX. And the film?

Well, it was stunning. The soundtrack was an experience in itself.

And while in Melbourne, I took the opportunity to wander around the streets and try my hand (camera!) at street photography. A little daunting to me, but encourgaed by Mitch I found it really enjoyable.

The quality Melbourne brunch and coffee certainly helped.

As part of our catchup, we’d planned to spend some time searching for wild koalas at Cape Otway, and then hopefully sunset and sunrise at the 12 Apostles.

Heading down Lighthouse Road, we found a promising forest of Manna Gums and started our search.

But where to look??? At the top of the trees? Halfway down? Could they just be congregating around the bottom just waiting for us to shoot them?

Well, nearly 4 hours later, after searching several sections of forest, we had managed to site and photograph the grand total of… 2 koalas!

“Good just to be out” we told ourselves!

Onwards to Port Campbell National Park and the 12 Apostles.

A beautiful drive leading to a stunning coastline. First we scouted a new location that offered a different view of the Apostles. We put that in our pocket as a possibility for sunrise next morning,

Sunset, after a well earned Schnitty and Prickly Moses Dark Ale, was nice with a golden glow.

Alas, sunrise did not go to plan.

Up early, we had plenty of time to assess the conditions - not as much cloud cover as was hoped for. Nothing to the east and looked like a little to the west.

So we headed to Gibson Steps to say Hello to Gog and Magog again. Some nice late sky colour. And high tide provided a nice challenge, with our gumboots frequently re-filled with rogue-ish waves!

Video Highlights of our adventures …

Well, the end of another great catchup with Mitch.

The highlight? Every chance we get to catch up!

Or, as a great warrior once said “Dreams make good stories, but everything important happens when we're awake” - Duncan Idaho.

Or perhaps “Happiness, not in another place but this place... not for another hour, but this hour.“

Until our next adventure.