Day Eighty Eight - October 2nd, 2013
Robe to Warrnambool
Another sleepless night in the tent with a gale blowing up into a frenzy outside. We therefore slept in until 8.30, and then Elliot went to pay for our night as we had arrived too late to do so on arrival. We had breakfast and hit the road, eager to get to Warrnambool and the gateway to the Great Ocean Road.

We drove through Robe, a pretty little costal town with charm by the bucket full. The houses here are big and expensive looking, clearly a getaway haven of second homes during the summer months. The rugged coastline was alive and kicking, with great billows of spray being thrown up towards the headland, and powerful waves crashing onto the shore. We took a detour to look at an obelisk perched precariously on the side of the jagged rocks, and stepped out into the salty air, with foam whipping up from sea level around our faces. It was fantastic to see the raw power of the ocean again after all these weeks of flat desert!
All was going well, and we put the heating on and I snuggled in a blanket as we passed lambs and calves finding their feet as shying away from the loud timber trucks barrelling along the reasonably narrow coast road laden with huge newly felled trunks. The smell of pine tress hung thick in the air as we passed through wooded and forrest areas. We passed into Victoria, stopping for a windswept picture in extremely strong winds, and set our watches 30 minutes ahead. However, our picturesque morning went awry when we stopped to fill up with fuel. Elly went in to pay: card declined. He quickly deduced that we needed to transfer funds from our online savings account into our complete access. This requires an internet connection, something neither of us had in the windy valley. Elly left me in the shop as collateral and took my phone (which always has much better reception - as we speak I have a 3G connection while he has a measly 'SOS only' sign) to the top of the hill to see if he could fair better. He could, but didn't know my log in details. Back he came to find me engrossed in Kardashian gossip in a trashy mag, left a debit card as security and both we went back to the crest of the hill. I found my log in details and presto! We had money. 30 minutes after filling up the car, we left the petrol station. Let that be a lesson to us - make transactions before we are left with $60 in our account!
We continued on our way and made it to Allansford early in the afternoon, and after stocking up with supplies in yet another of Australia's Coles (they take all of our money!!) we decided to find somewhere for the night instead of pressing on as we are somewhat sheltered from the ocean here, and with the storm blowing through, we are looking for any kind of protection from the elements. We found a Big 4 at Hopkins River and knew it would be pricey ($35 powered - no unpowered sites) but boy is it worth it. Indoor pool, games room, great kitchen and A GYM. We got the tent up as quickly and gracefully as we could manage and staked our claim on the exercise equipment. As you can imagine, we re totally out of shape and I'm sure we'll ache in the morning. Hopeful from now on we can get back into our routines.
We cooked curry for supper and settled in to watch TV. The rain has just started to pour - looks like we might have to stay in the kitchen a little longer...