Rodeo
On our way to our next stop I spotted an ad for a rodeo. When we got into the caravan park at Narrawong we found that the rodeo was to be held in the next town, Tyrendarra, tomorrow night. That did it! Neither of us have every been to a rodeo – seen ‘em on TV, but never the real thing. So we booked for two nights and settled in. Quite a nice site near a river and the beach.
FRIDAY 9 JANUARY
Muddled around not doing too much today, although I did have a little pyro and craft session making some fridge magnets – I made 2 or 3 practice ones and stuck them on the side of the bus, just to see if the magnets worked OK. Of course we had to pack Betty up for the trip and I forgot all about the magnets. When we got home later that evening – there was only ONE!!! Bugger!!!
Anyway, the Rodeo was just as exciting as we expected – bull-riding, bronco-busting, barrel-racing etc. There must have been well over 1000 people there, some bought their own folding chairs and sat at ringside. Others, like us, sat on tiered haybales. It was rather a breezy night and in spite of having a canvas shelter around, I got bluddy cold – still hadn’t bought any warm clothes as I didn’t expect to need any!!! Hah!!
It carried on till quite late and as we drove back to Narrawong we saw out very first wild koala, sitting by the roadside, looking as if he wanted to cross the road and getting rather cross because he couldn’t due to the unusual volume of traffic.
SATURDAY 10 JANUARY
Arrived in Warrnambool this morning and, after finding out that the Fig Tree Caravan Park was full we opted for the Surfside Holiday Park - good location but flippin‘ expensive at $42 per day and it didn’t really merit the charge – had a little drive around town and did some shopping.
SUNDAY 11 JANUARY
Visited the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Museum and spent 3 or 4 hours going round this very well thought out attraction. We then watched the start of a local fun-run and had a look around a display of vintage cars (thought Tony might have been there with his Model S, but didn’t see him). Then walked through the local market where I bought me a ‘hoody’ and some jogging bottoms – no repeat of that cold evening at the rodeo thankyouverymuch! What a busy day!!!
MONDAY 12 JANUARY
Our ticket for the Village Museum entitled us to a 2nd visit so we called in on our way out of town to see if the wood turner or the sailmaker had put in an appearance. We were partially lucky and spent some time with the wood turner who, at Jeff’s request, turned a larger-sized needleholder for all Jeff’s ropework needles.
Great Ocean Road – Jeff thoroughly enjoyed the drive, but I felt rather uncomfortable. It’s a very twisty, turny, up and down-type road, but with some amazing scenery. We stopped at all the lookouts and views – the Loch Ard Gorge (scene of a 19th Century shipwreck), the 12 Apostles (huge columns of rock sticking up out of the sea (a bit like Bedruthen Steps on the north Cornish coast). We stayed overnight at Princetown, about halfway along, in a small privately owned Caravan Park – very nice site, although a bit basic. Fabulous views across the Gellibrand River.
TUESDAY 13 JANUARY
Continued along the rest of the Great Ocean Road – still just as twisty and turny and up and down – still more amazing scenery. We wanted to stop at Kennett River but the campsite was full. It did look very touristy so maybe we wouldn’t have liked it anyway
Geelong – Barwon Caravan & Tourist Park, Belmont – not too bad a site, although it is sooo HOT it would have been nice if there had been a pool.
WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY
Decided to go to Portarlington via Drysdale as Carroll’s Woodcraft Supplies were there (the woodturner at the Warrnambool Village Museum had given told us about them). We called in and were made most welcome by the owners. We bought some sanding sealer and wax polish – they also stocked pyrography items too!!!! So I bought a couple of small pieces of wood to pyro Irene has done some really nice pyro work, she’s also done some on calico and was kind enough to give me a piece to try.
We got to the Portarlington Caravan Park at about lunchtime and then took a stroll around. Quite a nice place, a bit touristy and, as it’s the peak season, the Park is the most expensive we’ve stayed in $50 a night!!! In spite of this price the facilities were pretty poor, but the place was still jam-packed full – we had the second to last site available.
THURSDAY 15 JANUARY
A quiet day – had a stroll on the beach, the water was a bit cool for me but Jeff went in. It’s a pity we weren’t here a couple of days ago when it was really hot.
Did a bit of pyro too, on the needle holder Jeff got the woodturner to make for him.
Managed to get booked in to the Ashley Gardens Caravan Park in Melbourne where Marion and Terry have been for the last couple of weeks. It’ll be good to catch up with them again.
FRIDAY 16 JANUARY
Set off as soon as we were ready and got to the Caravan Park at noon. It was actually quite nice to drive along the 3-lane Freeway and not have to bother about people not being able to pass us because of the narrow windy road. Got booked in until the 21st – the lady in reception is going to see if she can fit us in until 25th (we’re on the ferry to Tazzie the following day) but the site it pretty-well booked solid. As the 26th is Australia Day it’s a long weekend – so I don’t hold out much hope. Oh well – shoulda thoughta that and booked sooner!! It’s also the Australian Open Tennis Tournament, and a lot of people staying at the park are tennis fanatics.
We’re sited fairly close to Marion and Terry and quickly got into our usual routine of drinkies and nibblies before dinner. It’s hard to believe that we hadn’t seen them since all those weeks ago when we first arrived in Perth.
SATURDAY 17 JANUARY
M & T took us on a little tour of Melbourne and showed us where the Ferry Terminal is. We were then taken on a tour of the Australian Grand Prix circuit in Albert Park. Some experience, that – but Terry refused to drive a bit faster. We then pottered around a market and a big booze shop and then headed back, calling in at a nearby ‘Subway’ for lunch – delicious. These fast food franchises are all over Oz and we always make a point of getting lunch if we spot one at the right time of day. They’re very healthy and very cheap.