A Quick Vic Trip

Hi everyone,

Well, it has been a while since we met Barney and Jacqui on our travels around Australia. From memory it has been about 13 years since they helped us with a flat tyre on the outskirts of Kununurra, WA and about a year later met up with us when we camped on the Murray River at Moama. We have continued our friendship since and finally pulled our finger out to visit them in their home town of Geelong.
Here are some pics of our latest adventure.

Below is waterfront at Geelong itself. A massive circular salt water pool lay at the base and I was impressed to learn that to fund the rebuilding of such a great structure had the locals donate a plank of timber each. As a result their names are proudly on display on their individual planks. What a great community idea. A few steps up led to a beautiful fountain and higher again takes you near the botanical gardens.

Geelong boasts many colourful figures in the guise of a bollard. They represent unique characters that were part of Geelong's history. Apparently there are over 100 of these from a city pier, demolished in the 1980s, that have been turned into remarkable works of art. In the background Smed and Barney are ordering some local seafood.

We enjoyed a day trip revisiting the Great Ocean Road. It is as beautiful as I recall. Even had a scallop pie at Apollo Bay Bakery.

A scallop pie was not all we had. A visit to the Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery had us indulge in chocolates and ice creams, of course.

We also had a full day on the water where we were thrilled to see a gannet colony. On Attenborough, these birds are capable of diving up to 10 metres! Wow!

Then not far from the gannet colony we enjoyed a fur seal colony. I find it preferable to see wildlife in their own habitats rather than captivity any day. It is truly special.

Then homeward bound via Echuca. Again, we hadn't been here since 2005 so it was nice to revisit.