Bells Beach

Bells Beach is a very famous surfing beach near Torquay, south of Geelong. The Rip Curl pro surfing competition was on over Easter so we went down to see what it was all about.



The surf was disappointing and there wasn't any men's surfing but we saw the woman's semi's and final. The final was between the hot favourite Aussie and an up an coming Brazilian. The Brazilian one and her fans went crazy! It was quite warm and relaxing on the beach and we were kept amused by the people sitting near the water as the tide was coming in. Every now and then there would be a fit of screaming and scrambling as people rushed for a new patch of dry sand.

Hanging Rock

We were pretty keen to get out and about in the new car and we had all of Easter available so we went headed West.

Hanging Rock was a great place for a stroll and for clambering about on rocks. It is quite a mysterious place, being the setting for a book and movie based on the true story of a class of schoolgirls and their teachers vanishing in 1900.





We carried on to Daylesford, famous for its natual mineral springs. This was a good spot for a huge feed of fish and chips beside the lake and another good walk, the highlight being spotting a couple of wallabies.

We came home through Ballarat after a great look around.

Formula 1

Tickets were pretty pricey so we didn't make it to the race but we did take the tram down to the entrance and peered through the fence to catch a glimpse of the cars. We could see them flashing past, and the noise was incredible. We took the tram back to town and watched the rest of the race on the big screen in Federation Square. It was hard to hear any commentary, the noise from the cars drowning out almost everything in the CBD.

Food and Wine Festival

Kelley got us tickets to the wine tasting along Southbank. It was a roasting day and the tasting started for us at about 12:30.....by about 1:30 we were about ready for an uncontrolled fall into the river.

The Yarra



There were vineyards from all around the region, and some very nice wines, far too many for us to try but it gave us a bit of an idea for places to go for a look with any visitors.

Dandenongs

There was a bit of an international flavour to our trip out to the Dandenongs. Our Chinese landlord, her Chinese friend, her frind Pete the Greek and us two Kiwis. In terms of mountains, the Dandenongs are pathetic but it is quite a nice place for a BBQ and a wander. Its also a very popular place for cyclists.



Pete the Greek and his favourite Chinese ladies.


Unfortunately, the views of the city weren't so flash, it was a bit hazy.

Welcome to 'Strayer

Well, we have been in Melbourne almost 2 weeks now. Kelley has managed to get a temp job for 3 weeks which starts on Monday. We have had no trouble filling in time, the local library has been getting a workout, so has the computer and some of the pavements around our house are taking a pounding.

It has been hot, ranging between 25 - 32 degrees, forecast for 38 degrees on Friday. Everything is very brown and sometimes smoke haze settles from the bush fires but no where near to the extent that I thought it would.

We are living about a 35min train ride north of the CBD in the most basic accommodation you have ever seen but it was so cheap and easy we couldn't turn it down. Our landlord is a Chinese woman who thinks we are her new best friends and a new housemate has arrived, an Indian guy who is absolutely impossible to understand.

We haven't done much looking around but we did stumble on a large sports stadium (some of you may recognise it) the first Sunday we were here, there was cricket on, Victoria vs NSW and at $5 to get in, who could resist.

MCG, not exactly a full house....



But why not, what a perfect day for it.

Crank up and the start of my 30th year

The last weekend of January neatly coincide with a school reunion for Dad, Crank up weekend in Edendale and my birthday so south was the most logical place to be.

The weather wasn't great for Crank up but we went along for a look at all the old tractors.

Traction engine



Parade on the streets of Edendale on Friday night



Stunt biker



Sunday was a very windy day and we went for a drive to Maple Glen, a huge garden.



We carried on to Fortrose, on the coast and nearly got blown off the face of the planet.

A couple of fishermen braving the wind



Rough seas



On the way home we stopped in Mosgiel for fish and chips, great birthday tea.