Mercure Geelong

... into this couple all over Tassie we actually managed to be in Timboon at the same time as them, now that is fate that it should happen again. After spending a windy sleepless night in Princetown we continued down the great ocean rd to the Twelve Apostles National Park to view the apostles and the Loch Ard Gorge before heading down to London Bridge, The Grotto and the Bay of Islands. All these great areas we visited were better than expected and we were feeling very, very ...

... chairs that can hold a drink (ADVISO: NO LIQUIDOS CALIENTES), a hat, food! Irrawarra bakery in Geelong would be our first stop. Well worth it for breakfast, the cappuccino was really good. We actually visit twice as Nico ventured in what would be the first "lost and found" exercise of the trip: Version 1.0 - the bag with only important things in it.

Friday 18 September Port Philip Bay S 37° 55.8' 144° 54.2' 13°C At anchor about seven miles south of Melbourne, where we've been all night. Apparently the port is closed between 06:00 and 15:00, for some civil engineering works. We may get in this evening and we will try to leave before 06:00 tomorrow, but there is space for ...

... and careful manuevering around the tree, we escaped!! What we found out after, was the helpful couple were planning a trip to Yellowknife, small world eh!! And, get this, their friends that were down the road camping, were actually in the camping area we were wanting to stay at, half a kilometer away, no mud, and a beautiful river. I guess arriving after dark isn't a good thing. More of the same weather ahead and the Great Ocean Road! A winding and twisting road that offers amazing ...

... an acoustic night in the house as we have a few musicians in our midst and a midnight barbie with tea candles all around the house so should be pretty cool and it doubles as our leaving do and skips birthday so should be a laugh. Whats the fecking story with Paddies day eh? Is is on Fri, Sat, Mon or all three as we plan to do. The aussies are trying to make the celebrations on Fri so half the countrys workforce will be in on Monday. And I hear the brains that is the ...

... no less. You simply couldn't help but well up and join the Aussies, as we all recalled with great tearful joy the final moments of that wonderful film, when Mick Dundee stepped over everyone's shoulders in a crowded train station to get to his girl, brilliant. Many thanks to all at the Grace household for such a brilliant time, special thanks to Laurel and Harry for putting on a superb weekend in their amazing house. The hospitality was truly second to none on our trip. An ...

When we woke up the sun was shining, which always makes us pack quicker, so we were out of the hostel just after 9am. <br><br>Katie had just about got over her food poisoning, and it even looked like we'd got away with our Japanese meal last night without any new stomach issues. <br><br>We headed straight to the car hire place (Hertz has been consistently cheaper than ...

... long until I was heading inland and through some lovely scenery - rolling hills gave way to sandy scrub as I made my way to Adelaide. And there was even some pine forest along the way. The road was long and straight and I got to do some pretty outrageous speeds...it's a good job that you're in the middle of nowhere so that there are no other cars or police around...or so I thought. After driving for a solid 6 hours ...

... one light." The poor people eating their lunches on the patios as I passed them bore witness to my tuneless scampering. More than a few heads turned, ears covered. I wish I could have stepped out of the scene and watched this lumbering Canuck skip down the sidewalk, roaring those lyrics. It was cathartic and perhaps a little silly, but my heavy mood has lifted. Maybe the next time I schedule an epiphany I'll turn the volume down.

Spent Christmas day in the pouring rain with a record low temperature of 18 degrees, probably about the same in England. I think I want my money back on the Ozzy Christmas - no beach shocking. Still had a good day with Hal, Katherine and thier mates from Uni. Ate to much, drunk too much, and even sung a few christmas carols. Then on ...