5 June 2023 - Geelong to Hobart

Up betimes, in fact, up before betimes!!

At 5.45 am this morning a man, presumably employed by the operator of the Spirit of Tasmania, woke us up on the tannoy to tell us that we would be disembarking with the Tadpole at 6.30 am...and so it was.

6.30 am, pitch dark but raring to go - 82 VAVA - voom!

Sunrise this morning was a little after 7.30 am, so we were past Elizabeth Town before first light and almost to Deloraine by sunrise!

Stopped at Campbell Town for breakfast. Didn't know that Zeps Café had closed earlier this year, so we had to settle for Banjo's.

A very agreeable "Toastie" may be had at Banjo's Campbell Town

Arrived home at 11.00am and apart from the unfortunate "Quarter Vent Incident" (which, on any view, could not be blamed on the Tadpole) the "Taddy" performed well above expectations. We added about another 7,000 kilometres to the odometer which now reads just under 358,000! 

At the beginning of the JAPPOTA, the Prop had seriously entertained the prospect that the Tadpole might give up the ghost somewhere "out the back of Bourke" and that we would need to purchase a cheap second hand car so we could get home! 

In the events which happened, the Tadpole proved to be a good deal more dependable than the Prop! (See 3 June 2023)

All of which means that the Prop's and Mrs P's affection for the Tadpole has only increased, making it now much less likely that we will be able to part with Taddy any time soon! 

 

Tadpole the Magnificent!

Nothing more to say!

Perfick!

4 June 2023 - Barwon Heads to Geelong (with a detour to Portarlington)

Not up betimes!

The Prop and Mrs P decided that on the last day of the JAPPOTA on the "mainland"  we should break with tradition and be slugabeds. (The decision was not entirely unrelated to the fact that it was a cold morning, there was a "lazy" breeze (one that goes straight through you rather than around you)  a fine sea-mist abroad and we had no particular plans for the day.

The Tadpole, last camp at Barwon Heads - but surely he has done his duty!

Having exhausted all ideas for trying to make the 19 kilometre journey from Barwon Heads to Geelong occupy a full day, we set out for Geelong searching for inspiration - and ended up at Corio Bay which, on a sunny day, would be a very pleasant location.

 Corio Bay- no sun, not much fun

It was so cold at Corio Bay that a group of surf lifesavers appeared to have been frozen solid, while at the same time, other more hardy souls, chose to bathe in the Bay - well, in the kiddies pool.

Surf lifesaver, save thyself!

Corio Bay Bathers - batshit crazy!

As the mist around Geelong refused to lift and as we were still unable to think of anything that might occupy the next 5 hours, the Prop decided that we should take the Tadpole to Portarlington - and what an inspired choice it was! 

The sky cleared and a beautiful sunny 17 degree day unfolded as we approached this popular commercial fishing village.

Portarlington - well worth a look!

In the main street of Portalington stands the very impressive Portarlington Grand Hotel. However, the Prop is not confident that the central tower of the Grand is altogether perpendicular

Look out

The "Leaning Tower" of Portarlington

Returning to Geelong, the Prop set out on a bit of a sentimental journey. The Prop first visited Geelong in the early 1970's when one of his older brothers worked for what was then known as The Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac). The Prop was surprised to find that what had been  banking chambers 40 years ago was now a Telstra Shop! 

The former Bank of New South Wales, now a phone shop! 

More disappointment followed when the Prop tried to locate some licensed premises at which the Prop's brother had encouraged the Prop to engage in under-age drinking.

 The former White Hart Hotel - now a golf shop!

The Prop, thoroughly disappointed and having successfully occupied about 4 1/2 hours then set of with Mrs P in the Tadpole for the new Spirit Terminal in Geelong.

The Tadpole all set to board the Spirit of Tasmania for home.

At the suggestion of Mrs P, the Prop booked a DeLuxe room on the Spirit. Nice double bed, pay tv, free wine, luxury!

Perfick!

3 June 2023 - Mornington to Barwon Heads (by ferry)

Up betimes to discover a damp drizzly day. Only the second time in 39 days that we have encountered any quantifiable rain!

The Prop, in his wisdom (some would say cowardice) decided to avoid having to drive around Port Phillip Bay - and thus, through Melbourne - and decided to take the Tadpole and Mrs P on the vehicular ferry between Sorrento and Queenscliff.

Taking the coastal road from Mornington to Sorrento we first passed through Safety Beach which is undergoing rapid redevelopment. Many of the old "fibro" shacks that formerly fringed the coastal road have been "dropped" (as property developers would say) and have been replaced by some pretty ordinary architectural specimens that that put budget over style.

Examples of what passes for architecture in Safety Beach

Then through Dromana, Rosebud, Capel Sound and Rye before reaching Sorrento.

The coast between Rosebud and Rye consists of one semi-continuous caravan and camping park stretching over about 10 kilometres! Most of it was closed - it being the off-season- but one can only imagine the huge influx of temporary inhabitants that invade "the Peninsula" in the high season.

In the Prop's mind, Sorrento (Vic) is inextricably linked with the song by Tina Arena (formerly Tiny Tina Arena)

See:https://open.spotify.com/track/29PjjyolSTf3pWgPxEFYE2?si=HAqakhfSQmy0-wudXqwoew&context=spotify%3Atrack%3A29PjjyolSTf3pWgPxEFYE2

Sorrento - nice but not the one in Italy

The Tadpole lined up and waiting for the ferry

The Tadpole safely aboard the ferry - but disaster awaits!

On board the ferry

It is at this point the Prop is bound to make an admission against his own interest. 

In an uncharacteristic episode of neglect, the Prop failed to bring the keys to the Tadpole with him when he vacated the vehicle. Put shortly, the Prop locked the keys to the Tadpole INSIDE the Tadpole with no spare key to be had anywhere in Christendom!

Long story short, despite the best efforts of some of the ferry operator's best amateur car thief's, the Prop had to consent to them breaking the passenger side quarter vent window in order to re-gain entry to the Tadpole!

Running repairs - duct tape and a plastic bread bag

Frankly, the Tadpole deserved better than this. 

Happily, thanks to Google, the Prop has been able to find a replacement quarter vent in Brisbane which he can fit upon the Tadpole's return home.

Upon arrival at Barwon Heads Caravan Park we discovered possibly the only caravan park in Australia that has an Australian Rules Football ground in the middle of it! 

More surprisingly still, when we arrived there was a game well underway between the local Barwon Heads side and nearby Anglesea.

A traditional country AFL match with supporters seated in their cars around the boundary

Barwon Heads v Anglesea. Barwon Heads won by 30 odd points.

Im-perfick!

2 June 2023 - Yanakie to Mornington

Up betimes to reflect on the fact that the JAPPOTA (see 25 April, 2023) is rapidly drawing to its conclusion and also to set off for Mornington (on the Mornington Peninsula).

We went first by way of Venus Bay which we thought we had visited previously in 2016. However, either the place has changed beyond all recognition (and has also acquired an ocean surf beach) OR we were wrong and have never been there before!

The Ocean Surf Beach at Venus Bay - a new addition?

Leaving Venus Bay we headed to Inverloch where we were gratified to find that we recognised as being somewhere we had been before.

 

The Inverloch Jetty - relieved to find something we recognised

On the way to Inverloch the Prop came across what appeared to be a road sign which outdid the "marsupial trifecta sign" (see 28 May, 2023 - Mallacoota - Marlo).

The Marsupial Trifecta sign

The sign of which the Prop speaks warned drivers to be aware of the possible presence on the roadway of not only Koalas, Kangaroos and Wombats but also Echidna - a quaddie!

The apparently authentic "Marsupial Quadrella" sign

(NB, it seems that there is some dispute about whether the proper plural of echidna is 'echidna' or 'echidnas')

However, as we proceeded, the Prop became increasingly concerned about the authenticity of the "Quadrella Sign" when a sign depicting the possible presence of Rhinoceroses came into view!!

Beware of Rhinoceroses!!

The Prop's growing misgivings were not allayed when shortly afterwards another sign appeared warning of the possible presence of (inter alios) Gorillas!

Could this sign be the result of monkey business?

By this time the Prop had begun to think that either the effects of climate change had radically altered the dominant fauna of southern Victoria OR that someone had been mischievously altering official traffic signs.

The matter was put beyond all doubt when a further sign appeared warning of the possible presence of...Dinosaurs! 

The Prop was now satisfied that climate change is a much more serious problem than he had previously thought.

T- Junction or T- Rex - you be the judge

Perfick!

 

1 June 2023 - A Day on The Prom

Up betimes to tackle the Prom  (i.e., Wilson's Promontory) or Yiruk in the Gunai language. 

The Gunai people inhabited the Prom for at least 6,500 years prior to British colonisation. 

"Wilsons Promontory" was re-named after a little-known English merchant, Thomas Wilson who happened to be a mate of Matthew Flinders who, together with George Bass, recommended the name to Governor Hunter - perhaps an early example of "naming-rights" sponsorship

(For more information see;

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilsons_Promontory)

Driving south from Yanakie on the only sealed road leading through the Prom one comes first to the "Prom Wildlife Walk".

Prom Wildlife Walk

During a 45 minute stroll around a more or less circular track the Prop and Mrs P saw Emus, Kangaroos, a Wallaby and no Wombat - but a good deal of distinctive cube-shaped Wombat poo! Perhaps that is the origin of the colourful Australian idiomatic expression, "shit a brick"?

In truth, the cube shaped Wombat "stools" look more like tiny ottomans!

Emus, fairly standard avian droppings

Grey Kangaroos

A Wallaby - possibly Bennett's Wallaby

A Wombat - cubic stool manufacturer!

The distinctive Wombat excreta

(For those with an interest in the fascinating topic of how Wombats are able to produce cubic poop see;

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-14/wombat-faeces-cube-shaped-because-of-intestines-scientists-learn/11510952)

The only settlement on the Prom other than Yanakie, is Tidal River which is pretty much at the end of the road. 

However, within a short distance of Tidal River there is some pretty impressive scenery.

Perfick!