It dawned cloudy and cool which many would call perfect hiking weather and I would call grey and terrible for photos. No one ever accused me of being a fan of the gloomy day! But a walk had to be done, so after a quiet morning in my cabin, watching kangaroos out the window and making a filling breakfast Drew…
Thursday, March 30: Great Ocean Walk — Castle Cove to Milanesia Gate, 16km
When I woke at 6:30 this morning the wind was howling and it began to rain again. I lay there with a cup of tea, trying to decide what to do if it continued storming like it was at the moment. (The house was freezing so I spent a lot of time under the covers while staying there). I figured…
Wednesday, March 29: Great Ocean Walk — Parker Hill to Castle Cove, 25km
A later start today, which was good as cooking my own breakfast and preparing lunch took a little time in my limited little kitchen. I was dropped off at the spot where I finished yesterday, and began walking at about 9:15. It was sunny and bit warmer than yesterday, but I knew that the weather was meant to change with…
Tuesday, March 28: Great Ocean Walk — Apollo Bay to Parker Hill, 28km
The outfit that I’ve organized with is called Walk 91 and they offer support for various lengths of walks, with and without full meal catering. I had opted for the “Fit and Fast 5 Day Walk”, because at the time that made sense. I will say that it seems to be challenging, even for the fit walker I claim to…
March 27: Apollo Bay
The Great Ocean Road is listed as an Australian Heritage site and runs between Torquay and Allansford for 243 Km/151 Miles. Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to soldiers killed during WWI, the road is the world’s largest war memorial. It winds through varying terrain along the coast and provides access to several prominent landmarks, including Cape…
March 26: Last day in Melbourne
I arrived here on February 27, and with the exception of 9 days in Adelaide and Perth and environs, I’ve been here in Melbourne. And it’s a really great city; easy to navigate, sophisticated but laid back, beautiful gardens and restaurants and street scenes, artsy. But I’m ready to move on. Cities aren’t really where I find my bliss these…
March 24 & 25: (Still in) Melbourne
I’ve seen so much of this lovely city that there isn’t much more to report/comment on/photograph, so the days are getting ganged together. Yesterday I did have a chance to go to the National Gallery of Victory with my sister, primarily to see the William Eggleston photographic exhibit which was wonderful. This exhibit focussed on portraits that he took in…
March 23: The Warby Trail
I was much looking forward to a day out of the city, and was quite pleased when it dawned sunny and clear, but with definite autumn temperatures. A 50 minute metro train ride brought me to Lilydale, located on Melbourne’s eastern fringe at the northern end of the Dandenong Ranges. It is the main gateway to the rich wine and…
March 20, 21 & 22: Melbourne
Melbourne is known for the strange weather — they say it’s possible to experience all four seasons in one day. I’m pretty sure that’s an Aussie exaggeration, but I will admit that the forecasts haven’t been very right, and that it’s changed pretty rapidly each of the last 3 days. But each day had some rain, so activities were curtailed,…
March 19: Melbourne & St. Kilda (again)
It was another very hot day — reaching almost 90 — so I decided that another day with some sea breezes might be good. Especially since the forecast is suggesting rain for the next few days. So, I began with a lovely run through the Botanic Gardens and along the Yarra River, with hundreds of other runners and walkers. And these…