Woodies on tour!: Victoria, Melbourne, Barwon Heads, Torquay and Hoppers Crossing

Barwon Heads, Torquay and the Great Ocean Road

Whilst in the area of Melbourne we got in touch with two friends who live kind of close to each other. Linzi is an ex colleague of Richards from Grimsby, she lives in Barwon Heads and Pam our friend from Howick. Pam sold up and left Howick to be nearer her family in Torquay, Victoria. Pam asked us to stay for two nights with her initially so we could have a good get together and catch up and also Pam wanted to show us the area that she lives in now. Discussions ensued and we decided to take the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliffe, (we had seen this on the TV and quite fancied it). It takes about 40 minutes and saves the long journey through Melbourne City.

Waiting on the docks

Ferry docking

En route to Pam's, we called in at Barwon Heads, a lovely little holiday area, to meet up with Linzi. We had a lovely lunch at "The Beach House" and great catch up with her. Linzi is now a manager at an Equestrian Centre, unfortunately we didn't see her little boy Dexter but we will be back.

Linzi and Richard

We said our goodbyes to Linzi and carried on to Torquay. It was great to see Pam and her new home which is a brand new 2 bedroomed Villa in a beautiful retirement village, it is just the job as we say!!Pam took us straight out for a little tiki tour to view the foreshore/esplanade/beach of Torquay. It was very nice indeed. A great afternoon with lots of talking and a BBQ to follow.
The following morning we had a leisurely breakfast and then headed out to "The Great Ocean Road" where we travelled as far as Lorne for lunch. Airey's Inlet and the Lighthouse was our first stop for morning tea!

There is a significant sculpture and plaques, informing visitors to how and why the Great Ocean Road was built.
A trust started up in 1917 and the first sections were started in 1919.
"The first sections were built buy the GOR trust and handed over to the government on 2nd October 1936" These sections were dug out and laid by soldiers who had returned from WW1 to give them employment.

This first part we saw was a magnificent feat by these men.

Lighthouse and café at Aireys inlet

The arch at the start of the Great Ocean Road

We went for a walk with Pam on the pier at Lorne.

We said goodbye to Pam on the morning of the 14 February and as we had a Trivia night to attend.

Trivia night at a hall in the small village of Jeetho, we walked into the most beautiful building where lots of tables were set up for the teams that were involved. We had a great night and should have won but the quiz master took off some points for us arguing.... a great time was had.

All wearing hats!

After having fun at the Trivia night, we went on another little road trip to see our friends whom we met "on the road" Ian and Maureen. We had a great time with them at the Mareeba Rodeo, last July.

Ian is a dour Scotsman and Maureen hails from the lovely town of Whitby in Yorkshire.

They made us so welcome at their beautiful house at Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne. We were taken on a little tour down to Geelong and Portarlington, a lovely holiday seaside town.

Helen and Maureen

Port Arlington

We went for a lovely meal at the Bowls club and spent the night in our own cosy en suite accommodation. Ian has designed the house to resemble a hotel with hair dryer and toiletries in the bathrooms! Richard asked where the trouser press and bible were kept!

The following day, we went for a look around Melbourne City. We have visited a lot of big cities in Australia and this was just as busy! We seem to have got used to the quiet parts of Aussie, so when we go to a city, it's a bit of a culture shock! Helen loved Victoria market especially the meat and fish market. Its one of her favourite things going to look at the local butchers shop. Ian bought lots of Lamb cutlets they were very good and a great price! we bought a few things along the way.