Barwon Heads

22nd January 2021

Arrived on the Great Ocean Road on Australia Day just as Victoria’s lockdown was lifted. Lorne where I planned to camp resembled a shopping mall the day before Christmas and was fully booked as was the rest of the coast. At dusk I arrived at the Barwon Heads caravan park office which had a rather large closed sign on it. The manager emerged from the dark wood lined reception interior:-

“Sorry love we’re booked out …. you might be lucky and get something in Geelong”

she offered, then disappeared back into the office darkness.

Hmm!, Geelong wasn’t what I had in mind … my earlier thoughts of sleeping under a tree in the nearby reserve were looking marginally more appealing. As I consulted Google to find out where the hell was Geelong and how far was it, I heard a ‘CLICK’ and a pleasantly welcome tone from behind me informed:-

“Had escaped me completely – had a cancellation from Sydney due to Covid this afternoon which may work for you? … next to Laura’s cottage, charming restored 1920’s boat house….. was used in the TV series SeaChange right on the water front ……. can do you a very special price of $300 for the night”

Sight unseen I offered $150 which was accepted with a smile – sometimes you can be lucky!

Falmouth 1

February 2021

Stayed quite some time at Val’s brothers studio out the back of what was once the Falmouth Hotel. Walks with Val, Ian & Leanne and Rob & Karen revealed amazing landscapes:-

Falmouth Encounter

Falmouth 2

A moody evening at Henderson Lagoon behind the dunes at Falmouth:-

Bay of Fires

February 2021

Walked the Bay of Fires area with Rob and Karen while staying at Falmouth. Returned there a few weeks later and camped at Cosy Corner just north of Binalong Bay and further explored the area including Eddystone Point:-

Sloping Main

February 2021

Part of the Dorgelo Clan got together at Bert’s house in Sloping Main to remember Carol (the rest joined via Zoom). I arrived a few days earlier and walked Cape Raoul with Bert.

Walking Cape Raoul

Sheffield, Tasmania

Various visits to Sheffield during February 2021

Notley Hills, Tasmania

February 2021

I give anyone contemplating playing scrabble with Ingrid and Dave at Notley Hills fair warning ‘they don’t play by the rules on the box’. The scores ended up being in the 100’s of thousands. As the scorer I ensured the agreed rules were fair and points were deducted for not adhering to them.

Hobart

Stayed a few nights with Ian and Solomon in Sandy Bay – celebrated Ian’s birthday in style, checked out his workshop in a boat shed, lots of walks and even managed a sail on his huon pine boat.

Cheers for now  87)