Thursday 4th November

Said our goodbyes and Peggy drove us to the bus station (very early start) for our Great Ocean Road trip. They have been so kind and generous with their time, making us both feel very welcome, even the dogs! The tour bus was late but eventually arrived, driven by Foggy - the female tour guide who blamed a taxi driver. She won everyone over by recounting the tale of the moaning Germans on her previous trip.

Our first stop was for breakfast in Handorf, which we had visited with Ian but this time it wasn't raining. We had a long bus ride through the morning as the weather improved and entered Keith at noon (don't know how it was for him!). After a long drive it was grand to stretch the legs. We went to Naracourte caves at the Victoria fossil caves and museum. We were taken through the caves, where we were shown the stalagmites and stalagtites, as well as being taken to an area to be shown specimens of megafauna. The caves were archaeological sites full of animals which had fallen through holes and were trapped, either dying instantly or being eaten by large snakes over the past 60000 years.

Had steak in the pub tonight and the first beer for ages. I am not proud to say 'I am developing a taste for the stuff, particularly after a hot day'. I can't believe I said that, a pint of green king will put me back on the road to recovery!

Friday 5th November

Early start and a testing time for Amie. After a bus ride to Halls Gap, we had a wild roo hunt and a lightening visit to an Aboriginal cultural centre (which deserved more time). We then set off to the Gampian mountains for a climb up to the Pinnacles to a platform peak that I couldn't miss but is the stuff of my nightmares, particularly when I turned to see 2 of the party sitting on a ledge with their legs hanging over a massive drop. We sat for a while taking in the spectacular views - the photos don't really do it justice. We then climbed down for lunch by the coach but being the last down meant that we didn't get to eat it all before getting back on to the coach and heading for Mackenzie falls.

There was another climb down to a spectacular waterfall but a hard climb back up in the sun for Amie, however a calippo at the cafe was her reward!

The coach then took us to the hostel at Warnambool, where we dined and had an early night (knackered).

Saturday 6th November

07:45 start for the Great Ocean Road. Much of this coast was destroyed in the Ash Wednesday fires some years ago. We stopped for a photo opportunity of the now collapsed 'London Bridge', the 'Razor Back', 'Salt and Pepper shakers' and other sand stone peaks eroded by the sea. The bays are backed by high sand stone cliffs creating beaches untrod by human feet. The cliffs are constantly changing due to coastal erosion. We then took a helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles, which now number 8 but were originally the 18 piglets with a name change for the Melbourne Olympics. We both enjoyed our first 4 man chopper flight, but at $10 per minute, it may be some time before we go up again.

We stopped for lunch and then moved along the breathtaking coast, koala spotting. Stopping to hand feed Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots at a caravan park, under a tree containing a mother and baby koala.

We left the Great Ocean Road with a 2 hour journey ahead of us past enormous vineyards and into the city of Melbourne. We were met at the bus station by Sarah and Gary, who drove us to their home in Kilmore. A delicious meal of salmon for me and chicken for Amie.