Portland and Cape Bridgewater

Pia stretching her legs

At the Cape Bridgewater blow holes

Awesome coastline

Wind farms are right along the coast - it is very windy!

Shelly Beach at Cape Bridgewater

A nice camping spot in Nelson

 We're still on the Victorian west coast, and have nearly made it to S.A. Today we travelled through Portland and Cape Bridgewater. Not much to see in Portland, but Capre Bridgewater is only about 20km away. We hadn't heard of it and were amazed how beautiful it was. On one side was rugged coastline with blow holes and a seal colony, while on the other side of the Cape was one of the most beautiful beaches we'd ever seen. Although it was cold and windy, we just had to have a swim and surf there. We'll definitely be going back there. Arrived at the very small town of Nelson, just on the Victorian side of the border. Camping here overnight in a lovely quiet campground.

Around Port Fairy

Tilly chasing an emu

The gang at Tower Hill





Waiting to start the Loch Ard sound and laser show

Our ticket to go on the Loch Ard

We spent 3 days hanging around Port Fairy, about 3 hours west of Melbounre on the coast. We enjoyed just walking around town for a day, and then toured around the area on other days. We visited the Tower Hill park, which has heaps of native animals wandering around within an extinct volcano. We were lucky enough to see echidnas and emus. The highlight came on the last night when we went to the sound and laser show about the Loch Ard, a ship that sunk just near Warrnambool around 1880. About 50 people died, and only 2 survived. Everyone really loved the show, which is set in an old maritime village at night. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take any photos of the show but it is highly recommended. We're now getting closer to the Victorian / South Australian border, which is very exciting.

The Twelve Apostles

Tilly at The Twelve Apostles

 

Justin and Kids at The Twelve Apostles

Pia relaxing at Port Fairy

 After leavinf Lorne, we headed West along The Great Ocean Road, following the beautiful Western Victorian coastline. A highlight was stopping to see The Twelve Apostles. Lots of tourist buses here, but really worth the visit. The kids were puzzled by there only being 6 apostles, and also a little confused by there being no bridge at London Bridge! We travelled through Warrnambool to capm for 3 nights at Port Fairy. Very picturesque, with lots of history and old buildings - and a quiet camp park with a playground and lots of grass.

Fun in Lorne

Lisa and the girls with cousins and grandparents

Tilly, Isla and Lucy

At Erskine Falls

Maia bouncing

Isla's acrobatics

Tilly!

Lorne is a couple of hours from Melbourne, heading West along the coast. The girls met their cousins (Sebby, Lucy and Heidi) there, as well as their grandparents Margie and John. We spent 4 nights there - it's a beautiful location that is similar in some ways to Noosa, except that the water is about 10 degrees colder! While there, we did lots of bouncing on the foreshore trampolines and playing with cousins. As you'll see above, we travelled just out of town to Erskine Falls where everyone walked right down to the bottom and back. The falls were beautiful. While we were sad to leave the family, we weren't at all sad to leave the campground there which was terribly crowded. It's exciting now that the school holidays are over and we can start travelling west without having to plan or book ahead. Camping is so much more enjoyable in campgrounds that are only part full.

Travel to Lorne

On the ferry frmo Sorrento to Queenscliff

All of us on the ferry

Next chapter in our journey was a trip back up to the Mornington Peninsula (near Melbourne) and a ferry ride from Sorrento to Queenscliff. From there we travelled down the Great Ocean Road to Lorne, where we are staying for 4 nights and meeting up with Mottram cousins and grandparents for Nana Margie's 70th birthday. It is extremely busy here in Lorne, where everyone is holidaying for the Australia Day long weekend. We're really looking forward things getting a bit quieter after this weekend when everyone goes back to school. We're really looking forward to beginning our journey west towards the South Australian border.

Isla's injury

While having a great time playing in the empty new dam near Papa's house, a rock bounced unexpectedly and hit Isla in the face (just below her nose). Lots of blood and tears, but fortunately no broken teeth. Isla had a very swollen lip for a few days, but is now back to normal. 

Time at the farm

Another birthday party fot Maisy

Pia on Nana Ruth's toy tractor. Note how dry the grass is, after very little rain recently.

We travelled to Eastern Victoria (Gippsland) to Lisa's dad's farm. Everyone had a great time (except for Isla's injury - see next post). We stayed there two nights and squeezed in lots of activities, including motorbike riding, skateboarding, and collecting eggs from the chooks. A real highlight was swimming in the river, just near the farm house. Unfortunately Saggy wouldn't stop chasing the chooks, so had to stay tied up (bad dog). John and Justin had lots of fun pumping water from the river to the farm, and finding a lost pipe in the river. 

A great week in Melbourne

The girls in their new dresses - thanks to Willo!

Maia having a great time with Nanny

 Not too much to report about our week in Melbourne. Everyone had a great time catching up with friends and family. Thought we'd just include this post to show off some nice photos.

Melbourne and Maia's 5th Birthday (finally!)

Tilly, Isla, Maia and Pia - opening presents

 

Birthdya party with all the Mottram cousins

What a great birthday for Maia. Woke up at Nanny and Pa's (Mottrams) and had presents from Mum and Dad. The highlight was a shiny new hot-pink Penny Board. A day of play at her cousing Heidi's house, followed by ANOTHER birthday party with the Mottram cousins. We're all exhausted, but have had a great time. A few more days around Melbourne and Bairnsdale before starting down the west coast of Victoria to Lorne.
 

Maia's early birthday party

The kids with Nana Rooney and cousins (Olivia and Jessica). Great view over Port Philip Bay from Rooney's balcony.

Still in Dromana, we were lucky to overlap with cousins again and have an early birthday party for Maia (only 1 day to go until she is 5!). 

Arriving in Melbourne and reuniting with cousins (and Sagamore!)

Kids happy to see their cousins, Olivia and Jessica, again

Finally back together with our friend Sagamore

After keaving Beechworth (northern Victoria), we headed towards Melbourne. We had a rather uninteresting and uneventful night at an ordinary caravan park in Nagambie. Lots of ski boats and jet skis. We had a relatively short drive the next day to get to Melbourne - destination Lisa's mum's house at Dromana (Mornington Peninsula). We had a brief stop for lunch at Sandy (Lisa's sister) and Steve's house, where the kids were very excited to see their cousins (Olivia and Jessica) again. Back in the car and heading to Dromana, it was a beautiful day as we arrived in Dromana at Rooney's new house - great house with the best possible views of Port Philip Bay. Great to see Rooney and Richard, and really good to be reunited with Saggy after nearly 2 months. He was pleased to see us, but has obviously been very well looked after and is healthier than ever.

Travel to Beechworth

A quick stop to see the dog on the tuckerbox at Gundagai

 

12 degree and raining in Beechworth

Walking in Beechworth

Isla in Beechworth

While we originally thought we'd head to Albury today, we decided to keep going to Beechworth. After two 37 degree days in Canberra, it was quite a shock to arrive in Beechworth when it was 12 degrees! Everyone was really excited to dig out all the winter clothes and head out for a walk into town. It's a really beautiful town and, being Sunday afternoon, we felt we had it to ourselves. We stopped at the pub for a soft drink and a beer (and Lisa had a mulled wine - it must be cold). Great camp ground with excellent facilities. It was a real novelty for the kids to be able to watch TV in the camp kitchen.
Not sure if we'll stay here another day tomorrow, or continue our journey towards Melbourne. We'll keep you updated.