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Tuesday 04/05/04
3.8/14.5 24.3/-38.5
Yesterday really turned it on for us and the GOR was everything the
tourist
brochures promised. Vast stretches of gorgeous blue ocean,
spectacular waves
crashing over reefs and onto the shore, narrow winding roads climbing
to scenic
lookouts and sunshine. Some of the lookout parking areas were
very busy with up
to five cars and R2 squeezing in. This is the beginning of
winter. I cringe to
think what summer would be like here. Crowds, slow cars
& short tempers as they
all queue to take their turn.
We stopped at Lorne pier to have another go with the rod having been
blown and
rained off the idea on Saturday. This smart arse told a
couple of onlookers
that he would only be there for ten minutes to catch a couple of big
ones for
dinner and guess what, as soon as the line hit the water, bang, Mrs.
Salmon
grabbed it. I was having a fine old time reeling it in with
the surf rod
bending then the rotter took its freedom. I reeled in to find
the bait intact
so it was the good ‘ol surf popper that had done the
trick. Re cast and bang,
number two. This one came in putting up a grand fight leaping
out of the water
and collecting two neighbours lines and doing a fine knitting job with
all three
tackles. That was the run and half an hour saw no more so we
packed up and
moved on with dinner in the fridge.
We looked around Apollo Bay and did find a NANS (not any nasty signs)
spot at
the boat ramp but did not feel comfortable. AB is
very touristy with lots of
caravan parks and it smelt like a hassle waiting so we moved
on. Not far out of
town was a signed track to Shelley Beach picnic area car park in the
Otway NP.
Turned out to be a beaut little NANS with table, loo and walking tracks
down to
the river and beach. The shorter one was half a Km down and
up again. And I
mean UP. Woody would love it ?.
This morning is cloud covered and raining so we might pass on the other
walk and
cruise onwards.
Wednesday 5/5/04
5.3/12.9 24.7/-36.5
Lavers Hill has the highest rainfall in Victoria and yesterday was a
demonstration along with gale force winds with some intermittent calm
before the
next onset. We’re so happy the days of camping with
a tent are a thing of the
past. First stop not far out of the Shelly beach picnic area
was Cape Otway
lighthouse. $10.50 per person for the privilege of a half Km
walk and a look,
no thanks. A slightly longer walk where we see only about a
third of the
attraction was free we were informed by a condescending kiosk
attendant. She
didn’t even crack a smile when I asked if the admission fee
included dinner so
we and others took the free walk. A lighthouse on a hill in
the distance.
Coming back we detoured on a track to Crayfish Bay which got a bit too
narrow
resulting in another panel beating job on the hws cover. Me
thinks cover MkII
will be checker plate with no openings for bushes. Even
better, fit the next
one on the back of the truck.
The drive to Princetown, just before the Twelve Apostles, was mostly
inland on
narrow winding roads through the forest. Pleasant enuff
although the weather
was gloomy. Then we suddenly arrived at the Gibson Steps,
entrance to the
apostles, and Wow! Even in howling wind which would have
Scott of the Antarctic
looking for his beanie it was great. Crashing foaming surf
against vertical
cliffs and towers of rock in the sea. We drove the Km from
there to the 12A’s
visitor center and car park. Coy is this place set up for
visitors. Parking
for hundreds of cars, coaches and caravans. Hilton quality
amenities including
a stainless squat for those foreign to porcelain and well appointed
walkways and
viewing platforms. Again, everything the brochures promised.
We spent about half an hour in fading light getting wind blasted around
the
viewing area and had to make a decision on where to camp. I
reckoned we were a
chance to stay right where we were at the back of the huge car park and
so we
did. Rather wary for the first hour I relaxed a bit and
opened a beer. That
means grounded in a truck. Cooked some lovely crumbed chilli
chicken for
dinner, a glass of wine and a movie on the DVD. By 11pm,
totally by ourselves
and following a full moon walk down to star attractions we turned in
and were
not so gently rocked most of the night by the winds. First
visitors arrived at
daybreak so we also did an early morning viewing. Just had
breakfast, now a
shower and we head for Port Campbell.
Thursday 6/5/04
4.9/14.9 24.5/-46
Sheesh. Just how many statuesque, monumental obelisks can a
bear bare to stare
at in one day. Gibson Steps, 12 apostles, Loch Ard Gorge
(probably my
favourite) and then a dozen more bridges, grottos, bays, islands, coves
and all
from super elevated perches high atop sheer limestone cliff
faces. By late
yesterday afternoon we had nearly walked and climbed our bums off and
were
almost viewed out. With each bend in the road came another
signpost promising a
wreck, lookout or historic sight. Just one more
dear? Had to be done, we may
not get back here for some time.
We called time at about 4.30 and made off towards Warnambool.
The weather had
really been quite ordinary again. Overcast skies
unfortunately giving poor
light for photographs and cold winds with occasional shattered
scours.
Fortunately the really strong winds had eased up. Port
Campbell was described
as having once been a ‘sleepy fishing
town’. What’s this once?
Someone forgot
to tell them it still is. The only petrol garage offered
diesel for $1.13 along
with fish & chips and a laundry service. The
newsagent sold beer and doubled as
a supermarket. The jetty was very much a fair weather job, we
couldn’t get too
close with the waves crashing into it. There is a fair bit of
tourist
development and accommodation but it looked real lean and hungry out of
season.
The road goes a little inland for a way through some green and wet
farmland
where we kept a close eye out for a spot to stop. A little
sign directed us
left and down about 12Km of narrow road to Childers Cove where with the
cliffs
in view we nosed into a sandy 4wd track. Bingo
Baby!. I must have missed that
one little tiny sign with a tent in the failing light and we found
ourselves
backed into a tailor made clearing at the head of a steep sandy track
down to
the beach and with 180deg of those awesome views.
A comfortable night and a promising morning with no wind and patches of
blue
sky. I treated myself to eggs & bacon and got out the
fishing tackle. Then it
started bloody raining! Ah well. We’re
going to have a rest day here anyway.
So far we haven’t seen a soul. With little chance
of solar charging today and
as we shan’t be driving I’m giving the genset a run
for the first time this
trip. It’s been started a few time for a short
period but does need to be fired
up and worked for a couple of hours. Getting 12 amps in from
my super charger
which is less than expected. Terminal voltage 27.3V and back
from –50Ah to –
30Ah so I’ll leave it to sub 20 and that’ll do.
A quick note on our new heater. I had really wanted a compact
lpg gas unit with
a couple of safety features like tilt and oxygen cutouts but had only
found a
Palermo which was not only a few hundred dollars but far too
big. So we made a
snap decision and bought a little 1.25 liter cylinder and dish
reflector heater
in Kmart. With the proviso that R2 is properly ventilated
with permanent vents
in the door and 4 seasons hatches I can tell you it works damn well
easily
bringing the inside up from 11 to 21 deg C. Even more
surprising was the label
which promised gas consumption of 106 grams per hour. Yeah
sure, nearly 12
hours from that little bottle. Well blow me down
that’s exactly what it does.
Rough calcs show that if I can decant 7 fills from a 9Kg cylinder into
the
1.25Kg that’s say $24/7 = $3.40 for 12 hours or $0.29c per
hour or as low as
$0.19c when I can get $16 fills from BBQ Gals at Nowra.
Now go away rain so I can go get a salmon for dinner. In the
meantime I’ve got
about 150 photos to edit and cull from yesterday.
I’ll end up with slanty eyes
if I keep this up ?
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