Blues, Views, Macca & Melbourne

I've landed in my favourite Australian city, outside of Perth, so there are no apologies for not updating the blog for a couple of days. The DFO's and restaurants have taken priority.

Anyway - here we are in Melbourne after the most amazing, breathtaking drive along the final leg of the Great Ocean Road to get here yesterday.

I'll begin with Saturday morning the 3rd of March in Apollo Bay, we had heard about a Blues and Blueberry Festival north of the Bay, given we have a couple of blueberry monsters in the family, we thought we'd take a drive to find the town of Gellibrand, home of the famous annual festival.

We followed what looked like the shortest route, according to the map, but it ended up taking us an hour and a half through one of the most amazing winding roads - deep into rainforest territory.

Beech Forest

Winding our way through the forest

It was slow going, but breathtakingly beautiful.

The festival was cute and we left with more than our fare share of local produce, including punnets and punnets of fresh blueberries.

Nine & Harry, the blueberry monsters

Saturday afternoon was back in Apollo Bay exploring the shops along the main street.

Sunday morning the 4th of March was packing up and an early take off, we had been told by Bill, our next door neighbour in the caravan park - that the windiest part of the Great Ocean Road was between Apollo Bay and Lorne, so allow more time... so that we did.
We were glad we did, not so much for the windy narrow roads, but more for the scenery... I have seen views like this in other countries and have always vowed to go back there one day - not realising that we have the same beauty in our own country.... I was in awe.

Between Apollo Bay and Lorne, Great Ocean Road

The views, Great Ocean Road

A weird house, Great Ocean Road

Yay we're in Melbourne

We did stop along the way, not just to ogle at the views, but Richard had to pull over while he called the Radio show "Sundays with MACCA." Who the hell is MACCA you ask? He hosts a national Sunday morning radio show all about Australia and throws in the odd Australiana song.
Richard has been listening to him for years (no surprise to most of you, I'm sure) and we have all been listening to him on Sunday mornings during our travels since we left home.

So yesterday morning Richard decided he would "say gidday to MACCA." Jack also spoke to MACCA and told him about his great adventure with the White Pointers in Port Lincoln.
To our surprise, the Port Lincoln shark diving company called today to offer Jack a present to say thank you for the plug. Jack was chuffed!!!

We also stopped along the way for a coffee in Lorne, which was like a funky seaside Margaret River, and continued on our way until we reached Melbourne.

We unpacked the van and didn't waste any time getting the kids onto a tram for their first tram ride into the city.

Richard with the kids on their first tram ride, Melbourne

Sonia and the kids in Federation Square

We spent the afternoon in Federation Square, before Cousin Pete joined us for a drink and we then ventured to Lygon Street for dinner to meet one of Richard's oldest and dearest friends, Mel, her husband Bundy and their two boys Pierce and Alec.... it was great to catch up with them.

Today, Monday the 5th of March, Richard worked while the kids and I did some school work and we then caught the tram into the city to DFO to stock up on some winter woolies for Tasmania.
The kids all got new tracksuits each and hiking shoes and thermal underwear ... I think we'll be well prepared for our trip over tomorrow night.
We then met up with Chris Browne, another good friend for dinner. A great day in a great city!!! I love Melbourne.

Harry, Nina & Jack - Tassie ready - in their new thermal underwear