Sunday, July 14th - Darling Harbour, Sydney

 

Travel day, time to start the journey home. Arrived in Sydney just after lunch and checked into the Holiday Inn; plenty of time to catch the train into the city. Mascot station  only a short walk from the hotel. Great timing as Sunday is "Sunday Funday" which means a family has unlimited travel on the trams, trains and ferries for ony $10.00. Scoop! Decided to head to Darling Harbour as this is an area we did not visit when in Sydney a couple of weeks ago. After a train and tram ride we found our way to the harbour area. Beautiful spot.

 

Thanks Australia! This will be a much remembered vacation!

Saturday, July 13th - One Last Dinner Togehter, Time to Go Home

I'm finding it hard to believe that this is our last day in Melbourne. Today is a day to relax, pack and get ready for the return trip home. But did manage get out to the factory outlets and do a bit of browsing. We also enjoyed a fabulous Thai dinner with Diane, David and Alise. Food was delicious! Back at home to watch the end of Lord of the Rings, with Cole eating as many cheezels as possible and Kylar drinking lemon squash.

 

To Diane and David,

We can't thank you enough for your kindness and generousity. We absolutely enjoyed our trip to Australia and will keep with us many wonderful memories. Looking back the time did go quickly but we also did soooo much! Sydney was so much fun to explore together and thanks again Diane for being willing to hang out with a crazy Mom climbing 200 steps so she could get a picture of her boys before their climb. Comic Con was a great time for the boys and although Sunday morning, thanks David for driving them to the city. Taking us to your home in Ocean Grove to tour us through the area was one of many highlights of our trip. You both went out of your way to ensure we had the best vacation possible. Know that we all deeply appreciate all that you did. 

Start planning for Hawaii girlfriend, in a few years that's where we will meet and enjoy another drink or two, laugh and create more cherished memories!

- Sue

Nice photo....LOL

Friday, July 12th - Another Day in Melbourne

Decided to spend some more time in the city today before heading home via Sydney on Sunday. Diane dropped us off at Heidelburg station and we took the train in. Off at Flinders station to do some more exploring. 

This is the Eureka building in the background of Flinders Station. We learned some interesting facts about this building while on the "hop on hop off" bus that enable an easy tour of the city and gets off a select popular stops. The ten floors have 24 karat gold on the design at the side of the building. Was able to find out some more information:

"Eureka Tower is named after the Eureka Stockade, a rebellion during the Victorian gold rush in 1854. This has been incorporated into the design, with the building's gold crown representing the gold rush and a red stripe representing the blood spilt during the revolt. The blue glass cladding that covers most of the building represents the blue background of the stockade's flag and the white lines also represent the eureka stockade flag. The white horizontal stripes also represent markings on a surveyor's measuring staff."

Took the tour bus over to the Queen Victoria Market, a great old building that has an open market daily. Just about everything you can imagine is sold at a stall from clothing to meat and produce. Picked a few souveniers here today.

At QVC Market

After some time at the market, time to find a "Magic" shop so Cole could look for a particular card for his deck. The shop is located in the lower floor of the Royal Arcade. iPad out, maps reviewed and we eventually found the store. On they way we came across a very COOL store called Minotaur, Pop Culture and in here there were loads of merchandise from TV shows, comics, movies. Lots of figures and collectibles. (121 Elizabeth Street)

Ejoyed a great dinner out with friends of Diane and David. And I had to do one last "Parmi" for dinner. Going to miss this dish. A lovely time with this group!

Thursday, July 11th - Walk on the Beach & Pavlova!

Last day at Ocean Grove today. Another sunny morning and a great time to take one last walk along the beach.

Beautiful spot, lots of people out walking with their dogs and enjoying the morning.

Group shot on the upper deck before leaving....

 

Burgers with dinner, and yes with egg. And for dessert.....pavlova, a traditional Australian dessert. This one topped with with Mint Crisps....YUMMY!!! And of course wine with dinner.

Wednesday, July 10th - Ocean Grove, Geelong and Jet Skiing

Woke up to just about a summer day in winter! Not quite, but considering it is winter season the weather couldn't have been nicer. Clear skies and and high of about 14. Drove to the town of Ocean Grove and did a walk around. Found a charm which I fell in love with as soon as I read the quote: "You know you're in love when can't fall asleep because reality if finally better than your dreams, by Dr. Suess". Ian agreed it was something that needed to be bought!

Also bought a plaque "The Ass Family"...quite funny, you'll see it hung in our home. 



It was such a nice day that David called while we were out and suggested a ride on the jet ski would be a fun thing to do. The boys and Ian had a great time out on the water at Clifton Springs, out in Port Phillips bay. Ian and David were able to watch some dolphins in the water. 

Diane and I went to Geelong and had a great lunch at the   Water Shed Cafe. A beautiful spot, sat out on the patio looking over the bay. Enjoyed another Chicken Parm. I'm going to miss these when home so I better enjoy as many as I can while I'm here ...right?

Enjoyed a sunny afternoon walking around the shops and hanging out with Diane. Hard to believe it's only a few days and we'll be heading home. 

Back at the house..did I mention how awesome this beach house is? Love it! 

Gotta love the guys cleaning up after tea..

Enjoyed dinner and a relax on the couch to watch Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Part 2.




The kids also seem to have their favies while here. Cole is loving the Cheezels and Kylar the Lemon Squash drink. I think Cole can scarf done a whole box of Cheezels without issue and I don't even want to think about how much Lemon Squash Kylar has consumed since we have been here. Hahaha! 

Going back to Melbourne tomorrow. Going to miss this place for sure. It was fabulous at this time of year, I can only imagine what it must be like during the summer. 

Tuesday, July 9th - Gone Fish'n

This will come as a shocker to some...but I did in fact get up at 5:30AM to go fishing! David had booked a charter for us to go out and fish with Chris from Gone Fish'n Charters in Queenscliff.

Gone Fish'n Charters 

Again we were lucky to have beautiful weather. It could have not been any nicer. It was very cold in the morning and we all were layered up trying to stay warm. There were some many fingers that could not be felt for a awhile. However, it was worth it as the sun did come up and being out in the bay with clear skys and gorgeous views made for a very memorable day. 

We started out fishing for Whiting, but had no luck. After trying a couple of spots we head further into the bay to go for some squid or calamari. We were able to catch a few there, Kylar catching the biggest. They are an interesting fish to catch as you only feel a slight downward pull on the rod. Have to be gentle and slowly reel in rather that jerk to set the hook as this will rip the tentacles. They also ink when caught...which makes sense. Calamari would be on the table later! 

Caught a couple other sea animals as well. Kylar a starfish and some sort of ray. These were thrown back to live another day.

After some time we reeled in and headed to another spot to fish for flathead or "flatties". Here we had lots of luck and everyone was able to catch these fish. Not a large fish at this time of year. Those that were not to size we threw back, like the first one I caught. If big enough we kept them in the eske (cooler) and Chris would fillet them on the boat before heading back to shore. 

We fished for about 5 hours and brought home some squid and flatties to cook up. It was an awesome day on the water. Kylar really enjoys fishing and this was a great opportunity for him to catch something different. 

Back at the beach house, time to relax a bit and figure out what's needed to cook up the fish. Ian decided on panko crumbs, a tartar sauce and do the calamari with salt and pepper. Ordered some Chinese, cooked some fish and dinner was served. The fish was fantastic, a very nice fish to eat. The calamari was good but not what I'm used to. 

Enjoyed some more great company with great people, a glass or two of wine and settled in to watch Part One of  Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Monday, July 8th - The Great Ocean Road

Not where we ate, but loved the sign.

Today was a day for some sight seeing. Luckily we had the weather for it again today. Woke up to a fairly clear sky. Drove inland up to Port Campbell to start our drive down The Great Ocean Road. Beautiful country side, lots of farmland with cattle and sheep. First stop was Port Campbell for lunch. 

Enjoyed a burger special and was surprised when it came with a fried egg and bacon. Yum! A quick walk through town and then back in the car to drive over to the coast. 

Took some time at Lock Ard Gorge which is a site along "shipwreck coast":  

"In good weather the beautiful coastline along south-western Victoria often appears as a slice of heaven on Earth, but when things turn rough that same area can turn nasty and for mariners - hellish.

There are 700 ships believed to have been wrecked along the Victorian coast, but fewer than a third of them have been discovered.

Tourists travelling down the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell can follow the Historic Shipwreck Trail that signposts 25 of the best-known wrecks.

Perhaps the most famous is that of the Loch Ard, an iron-hulled clipper ship that was lost in 1878 while sailing from England to Melbourne.

Voyaging along the southern Australian coast the Loch Ard was caught in continuous fogs that left her captain mistakenly thinking he was some 50 miles out from the treacherous rocks and cliffs.

Instead the Loch Ard was dangerously close to land and on 1 June struck Mutton Bird Island to the east of Port Campbell. Frantic efforts to save the 1700-tonne ship failed and she was dashed on to rocks.

Only two people from the 54 passengers and crew survived. A cabin boy called Tom Pearce helped save a young woman Eva Carmichael, who had been washed on wreckage into the cove now known as Loch Ard Gorge. After they spent the night in a cave Pearce climbed the gorge's cliffs and eventually found help."

Beautiful area! 

 

  

Spent some time looking at the caves and watching the wave come ashore. You used to be able to walk into the cave area, it is now roped off. 

 

Back in the car, next stop the 12 Apostles. Although still referred to as 12 Apostles over the years some have fallen and there is now only 5 left.

"Witness the rugged splendour of the famous 12 Apostles, magnificent rock stacks that rise up majestically from the Southern Ocean on Victoria's dramatic coastline.

Limestone cliffsCreated by constant erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland beginning 10-20 million years ago, the stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs.

The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were left isolated from the shore. View the 12 Apostles at sunrise and sunset as they change colour from dark and foreboding in shadow to brilliant sandy yellow under a full sun."

 

Weather held out for us while at Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 (7 :-) ) Apostles, we were lucky as it would had been quite different had it been pouring buckets. 

Another amazingly scenic drive through the countryside. Many farms, sheep and cattle. It was raining on and off but that was OK because it allowed for a stunning rainbow that seemed to end on the field. 

Our next stop along the Great Ocean Road was Apollo Bay. Another gorgeous seaside town with small shops along the main road facing the beach. Diane and David took us up to Mariner's Lookout. A steep incline but worth the view when reaching the top.This trail runs through the farmer's field but is maintained and accessible for those wanting to walk through. It is also a spot where hang gliders can take off from. 

We were surprised to see a sheep on the trail, we thought it had jumped the fence and had hurt himself, but we later were told by the owners that it was not well, they knew about it and asked if it was still standing. I'm thinking that sheep may not be long in this world. Poor fellow. 

AMAZING VIEW ALERT! Looking over Apollo Bay...

Starting to get dark and time to head back towards Ocean Grove.  Reservations at Barwon Heads Hotel for dinner and meeting up with Mark and Kate, long time friends of Diane and David. 

Driving at dusk is similar to driving at dusk at home only difference is the concern is not deer crossing the roads but rather koalas. As we turned the corner there was a car with headlights and flashers on the other side the road. With the lights it was difficult to see why until we got VERY close. There as a Koala sitting on the painted centre lane staring and not moving. Stunned by the lights. We did not hit it and it looked like another motorist was getting out of the car to encourage it to move across the road.

Lucky us...it is "Parmi" night at the pub. I have discovered I really like this dish. It is served a bit differently than what we are used to when thinking about chicken parmesan at home. Here is it served with ham, napoli sauce and cheese on top or may have another combination such as pineapple. The one I enjoyed had salami, bacon, BBQ sauce and cheese on top. This dish is most always served with hot chips (french fries) and is a very popular pub food. 

Really enjoyed meeting Kate, loved the conversations and always fun to meet someone new.

Sunday, July 7th - Oz Comic Con and Ocean Grove

A day to sleep in a bit, not for everyone but for me! Ian, Cole and Kylar were off to Oz Comic Con today at about 8:00AM. Thanks David for driving them to the city, I'm sure sleeping would have been preferred on a Sunday morning. 

Comic Con in Melbourne was not something we had planned on doing. When chatting with the fellow working in the Comic R Us shop a couple of days ago he had asked if we were going to Comic Con on the weekend. We didn't know it was happening. A couple of years ago we had wanted to go to Comic Con in San Diego but were unable to get tickets so had to cancel the hotel booking. Although this was going to be a much smaller venu, the timing was perfect..so tickets were bought.  

Kylar bought tokens to get William Shatner's and Craig Parker who played Haldir in Lord of the Rings. William Shatner pumped them autographs through quickly but Kylar was able to chat with Craig Parker. They talked about his visit to Calgary and Ky living outside of Vancouver. It was nice that he was able to spend a few minutes talking with Kylar. Kylar cam back with two autographed photos which we will need to have framed when we get back home.

The Royal Exhibition building where Comic Con was held is another historic buidling in Melbourne. Built in the late 1800s. The building was once used for balls, dancing and bookings for the upper class. Now it is used for various exhibitions.

Diane and I packed up for the beach house in Ocean Grove. David picked up everyone and drove out after Comic Con and met us at the house.

What a gorgeous beach house! A short walk to the beach and town. Grabbed a bite to eat in town. Was surprised to see a Target. Target Country it is called. It is winter here so it is fairly quiet, our walk to the beach before sunset gave us the beach to ourselves. Ocean Grove is a beautiful spot. 

 

Back to the house to order some pizza...lamb & feta, Mexican (spicy) and an all dressed with pineapple. Very good! Movie night..watching Lord of the Rings. David has not seen this film, we may get through the triology before heading home. :-) ! 

 

Tomorrow heading to Port Campbell park and along the Great Ocean Road.