Great Ocean Road

After quite a blast of wintery weather I wasn't looking forward to the ferry from Sorento to Queenscliffe, but the seas calmed and the sun shone for our 40 minute trip past the heads over to the other side of Port Phillip Bay. 

 

Port Lonsdale was our first Port of call (pardon the pun) once we had alighted, it was full full hidden delights, the clarity of the many rock pools was astounding, and the rock formations that made you appear to walk out to the breaking seas. You wouldn't have a Buckley's chance of surviving  out there, which by the way is the place that saying comes from, Buckley was an escaped convict who survived for 30 years at this site living with the local aboriginal tribe, white society couldn't believe he could have survived hence "buckley's chance".

Heading further along the coast, the wintery weather returned but Wow, What a coast line, and the company wasnn't bad either.  Dave and Julie braved the cold and met up with us down at Otway National Park, where the koalas and echidnas, foxes and even a mouse kept our company too.

 

Do you know there were never twelve apostles, there was ever only 9 and now due to corrosion only 7 remain

We enjoyed being back in the van and are now looking forward to moving on to the snow fields
Brrr. Even though Les may catch one more game before our departure.  We'll see.

Back to Melbourne

Back in Melbourne after the week at home, Straight back in the van and headed up to a mates block near Castlemaine, It is so good to see old friends again, no one has changed, we had great fun up there.  Thanks to Trev and Ona for having us, you have an amazing spot to escape from the city's hussle and bustle and my 21 point turn to get out of there was legendary.

 

Then back into Melbourne, have been to the Vic Markets, and an AFL Match at the MCG, a pity about the result, Carlton lost, if we had of been a couple of days earlier we could have caught up with the Costas, at least their team had a win. We were lucky we booked when we did as the game was a sell out with close to 85,000 spectators in attendance.

More catching up with family and friends, you can't beat the choice for coffee houses down here, but Adelaide still has the best cream buns (Yum).

We have taken off down to Rosebud for a couple of days before heading over to the Great Ocean Road and catching up with some great friends at Otway N.P.  Planning to see the 12 (sorry 8) appostles and other iconic landmarks along the coast from there.  Before any of this however we must catch the Queenscliffe ferry from Sorento. As the ocean waves and my stomach don't really go well together, should make for an interesting morning, especially if the wind is blowing and the seas are as choppy as they are now.
In saying this though we are lucky (or I am lucky) the ferry is in the bay, we went over to the back beaches today and watched the surfing comps going on, Incredible waves. Have also seen Arthur's seat, and for exercise did the Cape Schank walk, and we thought those Port Lincoln sandhills were a good work out!

 

 

Into Melbourne

Melbourne here we come, after Yarrawonga we headed south and had a short stay at Glenrowan - site of Ned Kelly's last stand, then straight down the freeway into Melbourne.

 

No time to enjoy the sights yet, we have a plane to catch.  Time out from holiday mode and back into work for a week.  Must say really enjoyed the warm weather in Cairns, while there the girls went back to school for a day, and loved it, and Les back on tools.

Five days went past so quickly, and before we knew it back in Melbourne and appropriately being Easter, to take thanks for being able to do this tripanad continue on our way. 

 

Yarrawonga

I have to apologise its been too long between posts.
From Swan Hill we bush camped along the Murray at various spots the last being just west of Yarrawonga on Thursday 21st March, this date may ring a bell for some, but if not it was the date the Tornado(s) came through Yarrawonga.  For once luck was with us and although we had severe storms (no damage) our choice to bush camp and not stay at the caravan park paid off.  As we left the area the following morning the landscape resembled Cardwell after Cyclone Yasi, the caravan park was non existant, not one van or building left standing, and our hearts go out to all those residents  now faced with massive clean ups and the task to rebuild. 
As for our camp we had huge electrical storms that night, we had pulled up in a clearing aware of the danger of dropping limbs from the infamous gums along here, also hail stones the just size of 50c pieces. I dont think the kids will let me forget that I told them it was just gum nuts falling as the sound of hail stones echoed on the tin roof only inches from our heads. Yeah right Mum.

Leaving Yarrawonga

The hail stones