Queenscliff to Porepunkah/Bright

Said Goodbye to Michael, Linda and Archie, had a great time catching up with them and their beautiful son Archie, who has just got the best belly laugh you could hear,  one very special little guy.  Monday our first stop was Ballarat, and walked around the Botanical Garden, very impressive,  they have a corridor where they have copper busts of all our Prime Ministers even have Kevin 07 there, wondering if they already have Julia ready?  The main street is 60m wide, because it needed to be to turn the old bullock wagons around,  enjoyed Balarat at lot a beautiful spot.    We left Wednesday morning at 8.30am  and arrived at a free camp just out of Swanpool at 4.00pm.  A great day touring, Baccus Marsh, Gisbourne, Riddels Creek, Monegeetta and then Darraweitgulma.  Then on to Whittlesea, Kingsalke where the Black Saturday fires where last year.  amazingly one year on everything green and growing back, lot and lots of new buildings, very few old buildings,Had to be one very scary time for all concerned.   We were going to stay at Yea, but hey campsite not up to our standard,  we then moved on to Boonie Doon for a touch of serenity, decided to stay at Lake Nillahcootie, set up van etc  then to realise could only camp daytime (silly us) so packed up and join some fellow travellers at Lima East near Sandpool, nice sunny afternoon and good company for happy hour.  Thursday saw us arrive at Porepunkah where we still are, will stay hear until Wednesday, (have met a with a party of poms who have invited us to join them Melbourne Cup Day.  On Friday had another amazing day, went to the top of Mount Buffalo, Cape Horn  1724m long way up, could see right across the Australian Alps, felt like a eagle sitting on top of the world,  After lots and lots of photos we then went on to Wandiligong where the Chinese diggings are and a lovely bridge they built in the Gold Rush Days.  Well until next week good luck with the Melbourne Cup and will be in touch next week.

Apollo Bay to Queenscliff

Well at long last, Robin got his surfing in at Bells Beach, had a great four days surfing,  travelled on to Queenscliff where we caught up with good friends Michael and Linda and their gorgeous little fellow Archie, he is adorable, and has the best little laugh I have every heard,  had a few too many drinkies on Friday night, so Saturday was recovery with a night at the Bowling Club for dinner, weather  great Friday, lousy Saturday and good again today.    Not a lot to report this week, enjoying the travelling and just wishing for Spring to arrive and stay.   We are heading up from Melbourne tomorrow,  Whittlesea, Bright and then back down to the coast again.     Woops forgot to mention did the Great Ocean Road, just as spectacular  the second times.    Bye for now.

Mt Gambier to Apollo Bay

Last day in Mt Gambier was spent walking around town waiting for our caravan which was at a repair place getting a back bar and rack system fitted to take Reinys washing machine.  Finally finished about 5pm and headed off towards Dartmoore.  Pulled over just short of the town and camped beside the road for the night.  Next morning into Dartmoore and looked at spectacular timber carvings all through the town.  Moved on and went onto Port Fairy staying 3 nights.  Walked around Gilbert Island which is a breeding colony for shearwater birds, which fly 10000k,s to breed and burrow all over the island.  Walked the town and generally rested.  Spent one day going into Warrnalbool for a look around not much to report.  Then started the Great Ocean Road trip and drove to Apollo Bay, hoping for a surf.  No good on the surf front and weather appalling, even had to pull the pop top down the first night to try and get some sleep.  Had a good look around walked Dawson , (and Reiny) on the beach and both loved it.  Continued on from there on Monday the 18th and arrived in Anglesea.  First things first went for a surf you beauty, then found a caravan park and set up.  Weather was nice, just starting to change again to rain, so about to hole in and have a drink.  Bye for now Robin.  PS Reiny said it was about my turn to do the blog so there it is , probably the last from me.

Victor Harbour to Mount Gambier

10/10/10  Sunday.
Well we left Victor Harbour on Monday, stopped at several town and free camp spots but nothing took our fancy, so kept driving and ended up at Robe, absolutely beautiful park right on the lake. On Tuesday we just had a R & R day at Robe, walked around the town and enjoyed the sites.  Wednesday went for a drive to Noira Creina which is a privately owned property where we met the owner who informed us that he was third generation and they lease the fibro shacks annually, which there are probably 50 or so shacks could be more, a little piece of paradise.  We then went on to Wookwine Cutting where it took a man and his sons 3 years to dig this humongous trench to drain a swamp so that he could have extra grazing land.  An amazing feat.   Then onto the township of Beachport, where you could surf, fish, the landscape going from very pretty to very rugged within a few kilometres.

Firstly we went to Port Macdonnell which is the most southern point in SA. Bloody freezing winds, bitterly cold, imagine would be nice place to stay in summer.  So decided to go back to Mount Gambier, which is a incredible city, with all these sinkholes, and caves under the city.  Walked around the Blue Lake, and numerous other walks also to the top of Centenary Tower, nearly killed Dawson and I,  Moving on tomorrow,  maybe to Portland Vic.  who knows.   Attaching some happy snaps with the first one of Dawson doing the blog.    Bye

W

Mclaren Vale to Victor Harbour

Exciting week, we made a  few purchases, firstly a new Lemair fully automatic washing machine for me,  yippee i am excited,  seriously a great investment.  Does a really good job.
Monday:   Waiting patiently for the Territory  to have her gas installed, but whoa and behold, the mechanic decides to have a heart attack. (cant help bad luck)  mechanic survives, but of course this delays our trip by a couple of days.
Tuesday,    Still waiting for car,   Over it all by now
Wednesday.   Arrived at Victor Harbour , car going great, weather improving.
Thursday.  Robin went  surfing (at last) little bit cool, but still very enjoyable for him.  We went to Port Elliottt, Middleton and Goolwa and then finished the day with a lovely Pork Roast.   Yummo.  Sorry Sharyn and Tricia didn't save you any crackling.
Friday: Went for a long walk around Granite Island, didn't take the horse drawn carriage,  lovely day for walking.  Borrowed a bike from our neighbour as I was contemplating buying one as there are bike tracks all over SA, but after a 15 minute ride,  crashing into a light pole (cause if wasn't looking where I was going), bike and rider unscathed. Needless to say I am over buying a push bike.  In the afternoon we went for a drive to Cape Jervis, where you catch the ferry to Kangaroo Island.  beautiful countryside, a very pretty part of the world.

Saturday.  Went to a winery and cheese factory, sample both, bought some port and a couple of yummy cheeses.  Even tried a blue vein goat cheese,  quite nice actually.  Also went to Hindmarsh Falls, Myponga and on the way back saw a whale and her calf frolicking in the sun.   Invited the neighbours over for happy hour, two nice couples from SA and Qld.    Moving on tomorrow in the hope of finding some free camping on our way to Robe.     Love to all, miss everyone, but having a fantastic time still, and happy to say still joined at the hip and still happily married and meeting some lovely people along the way who all share there adventures with us.   See you next week.