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Published: June 13th 2016
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Port Fairy -Oldest hotel in VictoriaOur start on Sunday was interrupted by a lock on the front tool box which seized up. I got some Graphite Powder from the reception and solved the problem. On leaving the first stop was Bunnings for some more powder - probably never need it again on the trip.
We made our way about 15km up the coast to Killarney Beach - $20 a night - much better. It is a "local" sports field, very quite, but even has a free laundry. Unfortunately we had already done all our washing in Warrnambool. We dropped the van and set out to explore. Just down the road was an interesting antique shop. The photo of the boiler gives an inkling to the interior. I bought Liesel a cake lifter she wants used on a project when we get home. Further on we turned off at Tower Hill. Photo again - it is an extinct volcano which has a massive rim and a central row of hills. Today it is a recreation park and was full of locals taking their kids for walks or BBQ's. There are plenty of Emus and plenty of sign boards as to how to react to them. For
example if they attach you are to stand up straight and hold one arm above your head. They think it is a bigger emu and give way. Interestingly they still allow duck shooting in season on the reserve, but with set rules and times.
Adjacent to the volcano is a small town by the name of Koroit. The area was originally settled by Irish and their main crop was of course potatoes. It is still a major potato region. We had fish and chips for a late lunch but I could not finish it - not too fresh. That is the second time on this trip. I think I shall stick to my own sandwiches in future. The town has lots of original building still standing which makes it quite quaint.
Monday saw us rather slow at getting up. It was bitterly cold and though the wind of the past week had dropped quite a bit it was still cutting. After breakfast we drove 10 km up the coast to Port Fairy. Back in Warrnambool they told us it was just a small village. To our surprise we found a nice sized town. It reminded us a lot
of Onrus (where our batch was in SA) The rock structure on the beach was the same. There were streets lined with Norfolk Pines - Liesel made me take a photo just to prove it so that is included! Also a phot of the oldest continuous operating hotel in Victoria. The town was very busy. It is Queens Birthday Weekend so to day was a holiday and the passer by were getting into their coffees and meals. I think the restaurateurs made a killing.
Back at camp around 3pm I got out my tools and set to work. In making the caravan I had the front side lockers specially made slightly higher so as to take a Webber baby Q BBQ on a slide out. But I specified that it must fit the 1200 model which has a thermometer in the lid and is slightly higher. The sales guy had it all set up - no problem. When we picked up the van the BBQ was not there and they told me to go out and buy one and they would reimburse. (which they did.) But then I found the BBQ was 15mm to high and would have to
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Port Fairy Streets lined with Norfolk Pines be dismantled every time it was taken out or put back. Pain in the............ I took the caravan back to them and explained that if they lowered the slid out 20mm - and there was space to do so - it would fit. Their floor manager told me it could not be done. I think he was just bloody lazy - or stupid. I drilled out the pop rivets, made new holes and bolted the slides in 20 mm lower - THE WHOLE THING WORKS. Maybe I could get myself a job there. Liesel says I must stop complaining.
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Cecile
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Port Fairy
Did you find out why it's called Port Fairy ?! It is cold here, too but have not had any wind in the city bowl. Did Liesel tell you it was -9ºC at Sutherland this last weekend ? Haven't had much rain, only started in June. So glad you sorted your BBQ stash, you should go back to the van man and show him, lazy git. Thanks for the pines, Liesel !