A Pocketful Of Rye

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Tuesday morning (22nd) dawned pleasantly bright and sunny - the weather forecast had not been brilliant and showers were likely later in the day.So after having breakfast on the verandah we made plans for the day. I prepared a flask and we identified a couple of places we might visit for a walk – we’re spoilt for choice in this area.We drove along through Sorrento and headed for Portsea where we found our way to the Nepean Point National Park.Access to the very end of the peninsula is restricted so, to get there, we would have to walk (too far), cycle (too energetic) or use the shuttle train (too expensive).Because it’s the quiet season, we were allowed to drive to the half way point from which several walks are sign-posted.The lady in the Information Centre had recommended the walk to Observatory Point where it would be possible to walk along the beach (if the tide had gone out far enough) to Cheviot Bay and then back along a footpath to Gunners Cottage near where the car was parked.So that’s precisely what we did and it was lovely.The views across the bay from the beach were brilliant and although the soft sand made progress tough it was well worth while.I managed to have a paddle though I wouldn’t have fancied a swim as the water was a bit too cold.After our walk we drove back into Portsea and found a suitably placed picnic table near the bay to have a cuppa and some cake.A stroll along the jetty followed where we watched a few keen fishermen and women trying their luck, and quite successfully too.Our drive back to the holiday house was interrupted briefly by a quick detour to see the ocean beach (as opposed to the bay beach) which was altogether more “active”.The contrast between the nice, calm waters of the bay and those of the ocean are quite marked but both are fascinating.We’ll return to the ocean later in the week but today’s detour was just for a quick glimpse before we had our lunch.



Back at the house lunch was followed by some relaxation and then we meandered to the main shopping centre in the area which is at the delightfully named Rosebud.We had a little bit of shopping to do but the main intention was to buy a replacement toaster for the holiday house. The original toaster had failed to function while the last group of visitors were here but it had not been possible to obtain a replacement before our visit.Up ‘til now we’ve not had a need for a toaster but having acquired a very good looking Breville one, toast may well feature on the menu in the near future.Whilst we were in Rosebud we spotted an Op Shop – the Aussie term for Charity Shop.David’s announcement of his forthcoming marriage has put us in a slightly awkward position – we hadn’t come to Aus equipped with the sartorial finery for such a grand occasion – and several people had suggested that Op Shops may be a likely remedy.Out of curiosity we poked our heads around the door and we were amazed at the quality and appearance of many of the garments on display.Some had clearly never been worn and the asking prices were so ridiculously low.Graham found a couple of suits that almost fitted the bill but unfortunately they were both at least two sizes too big!!We may well find ourselves visiting more Op Shops before 27^th January comes around, otherwise we’ll be wearing shorts and tee-shirts!!! We returned to the house for a quick cuppa and then set off in search of one of the main ocean beaches.Alas we couldn’t find the one we were looking for and ended up at a different one.Determined to find the main one we drove around for ages but without success.How could we get it so wrong? To make amends we found our way to the Bay beach at Rye and sat for a while taking in the natural beauty of the area.Back at the house we rustled up another feast before settling in front of the TV for the rest of the evening. We were able to have a chat with Barb and Tony on Skype before turning in for a relatively early night.



Wednesday 23^rd started quite brightly and we sat outside to have our breakfast with the sun creeping through the clouds – it was lovely.Unfortunately the clouds thickened a bit and the sun disappeared – it looked altogether more dull and influenced what we planned to do. We decided that a ride around the wider area might be the best bet and perhaps a lunch out.Cape Schank and the small town of Flinders were identified as our morning destinations with Flinders being the place to have lunch. We headed for Cape Schank arriving at about 10:30am.There were just a couple of cars in the car park as we set off along the main trail.There are stunning views from here but the main feature is a boardwalk built in the style of a meandering wooden staircase some 500 meters long.It wound its way down the cliff-side to a couple of small bays.From the top we could see just two couples enjoying the scenery but as we began our descent about thirty other people appeared from a sheltered spot on one of the beaches.They were part of a walking club and we met them about half way down the stairs.It was quite narrow and most of them were carrying rucksacks so it took a while to negotiate our way past all of them.At the bottom of the descent we spent some time on one of the small beaches taking photographs.A young Dutch couple came to our aid when I was trying to balance the camera to put it on automatic so that I could take a group photo.I took a couple of photos for them also and we chatted for some time before they began the climb back up. At the top of the boardwalk was an alternative route back to the car park taking in the lighthouse.Back at the car we decided it was cuppa time and Daphne invested in some slices of strawberry pie from the small information centre – lovely.Eventually we drove the short distance to the small town of Flinders where we thought we would have lunch.There was an outside chance that Anna may be able to join us.We had spoken on the phone earlier and it so happened that she had an appointment in Flinders but couldn’t be sure what time she would get there.We strolled around the shops in Flinders – many of them touristy – and found a lovely café where we had our lunch which was mainly salad but came with the obligatory bowl of chips which was really over the top – nice though.



After lunch we continued our stroll around the shops just as Anna arrived for her meeting.We had a lovely chat before she had to dash off and we made our way towards the Flinders beach area. We stopped at the lookout area which gave us a magnificent view of the ocean and Phillip Island.It was a truly delightful location which was all the more pleasing because we just happened upon it.Our next destination was to be Arthur’s Seat, an area renowned for its glorious views and a chairlift which travels between Arthur’s Seat and the town of Mornington below.On the way there, though, we passed near to the Main Ridge Winery which is owned by friends of Daphne.It was only a short way off the road so we diverted along the gravel track to their house where they also have a “Cellar Door” facility and a small restaurant.However, signs indicated that they had “sold out” of their current batch of wines (good business at $56 a bottle!!!) and were away.Sure enough the house was deserted and Daphne recalled that they often take their holidays at this time of the year.However, we may see them again on New Year’s Eve as it’s traditional for Daphne, David and friends to spend New Year at the winery drinking, singing and dancing the New Year in.We were due to be there last year but we were both poorly and couldn’t make it.Perhaps we’ll get another opportunity this year.We carried on to Arthur’s Seat to take in the magnificent panorama, and to indulge ourselves in an ice-cream each.It’s a truly beautiful location and we spotted a sign for The Seawinds Garden which boasted some William Ricketts sculptures.This is an area that even Daphne hasn’t visited before so we parked nearby and completed the 1 kilometer walk which, apart from the splendid sculptures, took in a couple of lookouts which gave views of Port Phillip Bay at its best.The journey back to the holiday house was easy and after a brief rest we settled down to a light dinner and relaxed for the rest of the evening -it had been a truly splendid day.



Thursday 24^th November started as a much brighter day although a slight, fresh breeze made us think twice about our original plan of having a swim in the sea.Instead, after breakfast, Daphne and I did some washing and hung it out to dry while Graham attempted to mow the lawns. The poor dab struggled to get the mower going – he wasn’t strong enough to pull the starter cable fast enough to turn the motor over.Even with both of us trying we couldn’t get it going.Alas we had to give up on that so we drove into Sorrento for a casual stroll around the many attractive shops finishing at one of Daphne’s favourites – a café where they serve “The finest vanilla slice in the world”.Both Graham and Daphne indulged accompanied by coffee but I took the slightly more healthy option of fruit toast.Sorrento is a lovely small town – very touristy and perfect for spending a casual morning.The day had warmed up nicely so we returned to the holiday house for lunch still contemplating having a dip in the sea. After lunch we drove off to Rosebud complete with bathers and some refreshments for mid-afternoon and parked close to the beach.Graham took the opportunity to visit a hairdresser’s salon he had spotted on Tuesday and which was just across the road in the main Rosebud shopping complex. With a forthcoming wedding to worry about he was anxious to get rid of his long flowing locks in favour of something more appropriate for a 63 year old. Daphne and I boldly approached the beach with a determination which gradually disappeared when we saw just how far out the tide had drifted.There was still some low-lying water nearby so we contented ourselves with a paddle and a laze on the sand.By the time Graham returned, duly shorn, we were ready for a cuppa so we found a nice picnic table and brewed up using the flask I had prepared earlier.We sat for quite a while chatting, listening to the birds and watching the kiddies playing in the park.This part of the Mornington Peninsula is extremely pleasant and lacks nothing whether you are a resident or, like us, just visiting.We returned to the house at about 5:00pm and found time for a bit of reading before starting the cleaning and tidying up process ahead of our departure tomorrow.The evening sun made for a lovely atmosphere on the back verandah where the ambience is most relaxing. We had a rather late evening meal which consisted mainly of all the stuff we had brought with us and which we didn’t want to take back to Daphne’s.It was brilliant and very filling. The clearing and cleaning up would take a little while as it’s a substantial house although there are large parts of it that we didn’t need to use.Actually, we didn’t have to complete the cleaning tonight as we would be in no rush to get away in the morning and could easily finish it off then. So, with a few tasks completed we all retired to bed.

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Photos

to have my paddle - and it was a little cool!
Cheviot Bay where Aussie Prime Minister Harold Holt mysteriously disappeared in 1967.

Are those wavy lines really my footprints?
I must have had a drop too many!

The huge area of Port Phillip Bay
Rye is on the Mornington Peninsula which is down the bottom of the map on the right hand side.

One of the five sculptures by William Ricketts in the garden
Aboriginal children with an emu

Memorial to the Collins Settlement
one of the first convict settlements in Victoria - two boats arrived in 1803 but it was soon discovered that it was not an ideal place for a number of reasons: the treacherous seas and lack of water and timber.