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Published: September 7th 2010
Hiya everyone.. Well we had a lovely day today. The sun was shining this morning so we got up and went for a walk down the beach and to the bluff. Mark told me some stories about how they used to try race the waves to the jetty and end up wet.. don't mess with Mother Nature!
We packed up the car and had a drive around Barwon Heads, checking out all the changes that have happened to the place in the last 20 years... progress darling! lol Then we went to visit one of Mark's old mates, Russell, before heading off. Russell and Mark used to spend a bit of time together working, and drinking, and building houses, and drinking, volunteer firemen, and drinking, and drinking,... and drinking.. lol. It's been nice to finally meet some of the people I've heard so much about.
Well off we went to Torquay. Mark took me down some back roads to see some sights only to find that the roads have been closed off... progress darling! lol We arrived in Torquay and it is surfy heaven! Russ would of been in his element there.. there was HUGE stores for Rip Curl,
The Bluff
Taken from the ANZAC memorial at TorquayBillabong.. and... well others that I can't remember the name of.. but there was HEAPS of them... but not one camping store where we could buy a kettle! It's a lovely town though, it still has that "beachy town" feel even though it's pretty big..
Then we drove to Bell's Beach... Keanu wasn't there and Patrick (well we know he wasn't cos he's talking to my Russ up there) but I had to go... Russ had always wanted to... but sorry boy, it was too cold for me to get in the water.. and the waves were shit.. lol.. It's only a little beach really.. but very pretty coast line.
Actually the whole coast so far has been so pretty. And the houses are just HUGE... One house was built on just one big pole.. Mark was driving to fast for me to get a pic.. only joking.. lol. it was on a bendy bit and we couldn't stop safely cos these Victorian drivers are soooo rude and tailgate you all the time. lol
We headed back to Torquay because Mark thought he'd missed the big over the road sign saying Great Ocean Road, but it wasn't
there so we went left again and drove to Anglesea. We stopped and got some lunch from the bakery and found a nice scenic lookout and sat there enjoying the view. Now... just in case you do this trip.. Anglesea is a plastic bag free zone. So don't do what I did and ask for a bag because you will get "the look" and be told "the whole town is plastic bag free and has been for several years".... take your woolies recycle bag..
After lunch, (the pastie was yumm but the sausage rolls below average!) we took off down the road again.. passed this couple doing a cycling holiday.. now that would be good... but... you gotta hate getting there... because you just gotta get on ya bike and head home! Now if they had someone waiting at the destination with a van to put the bikes in.. maybe... well... no.. I just felt like leaning out the window and yelling "dickheads!!" lol We did pass them several times today though.. so we stopped to sightsee and they didn't.. don't seem like a holiday to me!
Aireys Inlet was lovely. We went to the lighthouse and then
Torquay
These guys are in a canoe that is feet propelled with a paddle to steer themselves. They were catching waves and surfing. Well almost.. lol. waves weren't high.. lol walked around the trail to Eagle Rock and Table Rock. Then to Mr Peace's grave... can't remember his first name sorry. We would of loved to do the tour up to the top of the lighthouse but I think I would of died climbing those steps.. and likely Mark's zapper would of gone off so we gave it a miss this time.. The last guy to be the lighthouse keeper scratched some of the black paint off the back of the window so that when he went to the pub on a night a little light would shine out the back and he'd be able to see it and know the light was still working... clever man.. lol
Then... guess what... we found the sign... you know.. the one over the road saying "Grand Ocean Road"! Well it was actually the 4th one. The road was built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932, and is the world's largest war memorial; dedicated to casualties of World War I. Four memorial arches have to date stood over the Great Ocean Road. The first was at the site of "The Springs" toll-gate, near Cathedral Rock. It read: "Returned Soldiers and Sailors
Memorial Great Ocean Road" but was demolished in 1936 when tolls were removed.
A second Great Ocean Road arch was constructed at Eastern View in 1939. The arch weighed 50 tonnes and stood until 1970 when the Country Road Board indicated it wanted to demolish the arch because it was too narrow and a traffic hazard. A public outcry prevented its destruction, but the job was soon completed free of charge by a wayward truck.
In 1972 a third, larger arch was built also at Eastern View, but was reduced to charcoal by the devastating Ash Wednesday bushfires of February 1983. Initially it was decided not to replace the arch, but public opinion was too strong and a fourth Great Ocean Road arch was built on the same spot.
Then we drove to Lorne. We're staying in the caravan park in a cabin. I slammed my knee into the car door and Mark's back is sore so we've just stayed here and relaxed... Tomorrow... probably to Cape Otway.
Talk to you all later.. xxxxx
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Rhonda
non-member comment
Howdy, Great Uncle and Great Auntie
Glad you are having a wonderful time. I like it when you go on a trip, your blogs are just great to read. Cooper George is a little honey, mother, baby and father are all doing well. Jodi goes home today. Let me know when you maybe visiting and I will give you her phone number so that you can call before hand, just to make sure they are in. Keep having a wonderful trip, see you soon Love Rhonda