Geelong - 27th September

See photo - Out the front of Kelly and Eoghan house.

Only a 1 hour drive and we were there .. Geelong! An easy run with minimal traffic as we timed our trip around the peak hour, we made our way through the hills around the back way just to be safe. So just after saying goodbye to family, we said hello to long lost friends Kelly, Eoghan, Grace (12) and Faith (11) from Saudi. We haven't seen them for almost 8 years and it was great to catch up. Our visit started with a sausage sizzle on the front porch, the weather was stunning and what a better way to start catching up. Kelly arrived home later from work and we settled in for a long night of chatting over wine ... ahhhh this is the life.


See photo - Grace in an old book store,
Queenscliffe.




See photo - All about to get on the ferry back
to Queenscliffe.





See photo - View of Queescliffe port.



Our first adventure took us to Sorrento from Queenscliffe on the ferry, the weather was very cloudy the view was beautiful and calm. Once over there we did some window shopping and settled in for a bite to eat at the local Italian. Unfortunately the rain set in so we headed back and did some more exploring through the old shops in Queenscliffe which is a lovely little town. Of course we had to stop for a nice warm cuppa and we even got to see snails .... loads of them and the boys collected them up wanting to take them home ... but we just "ain't got no way" of caring for them in the caravan! ....well that's what we told them anyway. 

See photo - Southern Cross train station in Melbourne - boys loved it.

See photo - Taking in the view of the busy streets
of  Melbourne near Federation Square.

See photo - Boys love their trams!

Knowing that we didn't really get to experience the true Melbourne city when staying at Lilydale we took a train in to the city from South Geelong. To the boys delight it was a diesel train with comfortable seats, great for the 75 min journey. We have to say travelling on public transport is actually a relaxing way to see the sites of town and the 'dress culture' which lies behind every city! So what do we think of Melbourne? Well Bell has visited briefly and knew it was busy, but it still was overwhelming as we are just not use to being amongst so many people, it was organised chaos. Where were all these people going? How do they know how to find what there looking for? There are just shops everywhere, shopping of course is not our favourite thing to do, so we went to Federation Square to soak up the hype of the AFL grand final, did some tram runs (to the boys delight) and finished visiting the "ACMI". This was a bit above the boys, but we still managed to make it relative and interesting for them.

See photo - Faith, Riley & Aiden at Rippleside Park.

See photo - Striking a pose at the Geelong Bollard.s

So tuckered out we head back, not arriving in until 5.30pm...... a long school day for any child! Our final day we headed to Anaconda for some rock climbing (not sure why we don't have this in Perth!), then to Rippleside playground, which was fun, followed by a very entertaining afternoon walking along the Geelong Waterfront with scooters taking photos with 'The Bollards'. They are brilliant and what make Geelong unique. Artist Jan Mitchell was commissioned to create these to capture the history and culture of Geelong. There are over 100 bollards stretching the waterfront and they have been made out of huge wooden pylons, many recovered from the Yarra Street Pier which was destroyed by fire in the 1980’s and later removed. The wood was sculptured and then painstakingly hand painted to depict many of the events and history of the Geelong region from the times the local Wautharong People were the only inhabitants right up to modern times.



See photo - The kids with their mum's.

See photo - All Joining the AFL team!

After dropping Chris and the boys back at home, Bell took the girls shopping......boy was that an experience, almost two hours later with only two items left on the list they all came home happy (including Bell). At the end of another great day it poured down with rain (have lost track now of how many rainy days we have had since getting to Victoria) and with a lovely thunder and lightning storm which the boys enjoyed on the porch with  Faith.





See photo - Riley giving it a go.



See photo - Riley watching intensely as Eoghan plays
the Guitar.

Unfortunately we have to set sail with 'Squeaky' (finally named the caravan!). Before doing so, Bell asked Eoghan if he could get out his guitar, as Riley has been showing an interest to have a go. He loved it, even Aiden had a go and thought it was all right, so one to try when we get home in just under 4 weeks! It was really great catching up with Eoghan, Kelly and the girls. They're two beautiful, thoughtful and clever girls. Hopefully you will all be able to come and visit us in Perth one day within the next 8 years. Here is our slide show.


Footnote - we did contemplate visiting Tasmania, but unfortunately we couldn't justify the additional cost for 5 days, even if we took the Prado and Squeaky over it's only worth doing if you intent to spend a month or more, so we'll have to come back and do it some other time!