The Tale of The Great Ocean Road and the Little Zip Pull

Ahhhh, I know its a cryptic post title but all will become clear.

It concerns this inch long metal zip pull possibly from a tent or some other camping (or surf gear) item.

Anyway, we left Port Fairy for a days leisurely drive along the South Coast,

Along with all the other tourists and lots of those ‘Wicked’ camper vans full of British youth.

We stopped at London Bridge – which is no longer a bridge since the arch fell down in the early 1990’s.

Still grey and cold with occasional showers, we are glad we have our coats with us.

Here I am below.

Then up to the next lookout which is the arches.

Walking back to the car in the car park

and

UH OH!

Obviously, a flat tyre.

11.35am on a Saturday morning in the middle of nowhere –  Crivens!

But fortunately, the old garage in Port Campbell was still open.

The old garage man repaired the tyre, told us all about his various illnesses

(and showed Graham his colostomy!)

but only charged us $20.

(for the tyre, not for the medical show and tell, ha ha)

Of course he pulled out of the tyre the before mentioned zip pull.

Anyway, we completed the drive with no further mishap.

We visited Loch Ard Gorge, named after the ship that sunk off the coast in the late 1800’s with only 2 survivors.

And finally to the 12 apostles where we battled the crowds

before heading for our last night at Geelong.

Until next time, Kim

Taking the Scenic Route to Port Fairy

We left Creswick today for the last couple of days of our holiday.

We’ve decided to head south and do the famous drive along the Great Ocean Road.

We have both done the Great Ocean Road before so we can see

if any more bits have fallen down since the last time!

Still a grey and showery day, but not as miserable as yesterday.

Today we took the long way today, stopped at Stawell for lunch,

and then drove through the Grampians National Park.

Above is the appropriately named Mount Abrupt.

As there are all these open plains and then suddenly up pops a craggy mountain.

We are staying tonight near the River at Port Fairy.

 

Until next time, Kim

Back in Ballarat its Miserable and Wet

 

 

Its wet with icy drizzle today.

So we visited the Ballarat art gallery.

(these aren’t my photos – too wet for picture taking today)

Its where the parts that are left of the Eureka flag are on display.

Last time I was here the flag was in the Eureka Centre,

which is now nearing the completion of a 10 million dollar redevelopment and will reopen in July.

 

 

We then wandered through the antiques centre before going back to our

villa to sit in front of the fire and watch DVDs.

We leave tomorrow to head for the south coast.

Until next time, Kim

A Touch of Monaco in Bendigo

Today we went to the Bendigo art gallery to see the Grace Kelly exhibition.

It had lots of her clothes from her movies and life as a Princess.

 

Also displayed was her magnificent Wedding gown. She had such a little waist.

All these beautiful gowns – I think Graham was bored out of his brain!

 

Afterwards we went on the tourist tram for a tour of the town.

(Note for Sean and Andrew – the Aussie Disposals store is still there in the same location – sweet.)

 

 

There was once a lot of wealth in this town.

 

 

Below is the beautiful conservatory,

 

full of chrysanthemums ..

 

and here is my own style icon, he he he…..

“Graham…” says Kim,

“Can you stand next to this flower so I can take a photo and use your head for size comparison”

Until next time, Kim

All the Rivers Run in Echuca

We took a drive today up to the border to look at the paddle steamers at Echuca.

We didn’t go for boat ride as our timing was out.

(I’ve done it before anyway)

But we had a nice lunch and went down to the river.

Until next time, Kim

Wandering around Ballarat

Today we spent the day in Ballarat.

We did a self guided walk to look at some of the old buildings.

This means that I walk along reading out of the guide book

while the locals give me funny looks.

 

We then went to the gold museum to learn more about the gold rush.

 

We were planning to go to the Eureka exhibition but it is currently being reconstructed. 

 

Until next time, Kim