It all started with a pizza shop and an idea..... The rota went up and we had disappointingly few shifts for the week ahead. "Let's go camping" and so it began. What started as a 2day camping trip turned into a let's hire a campervan, sack off work for a week and drive the great ocean road road trip!! I have to mention at this point that Nic's brother Matt was vital to making this all happen as he generously contributed to our camper costs!
So we were off with very little planning or research we headed into the city and were introduced to 'dragonheart' our home for the next 5days! The graffiti covered vehicle was a blessing as the weather took a turn for the worst, the heavens opened and the rains poured, day after day after day, at one point it was even hail stoning, I wouldn't have lasted a day in a tent!
Any who, we had the dragon and wouldn't be beaten by minor things such as HORRENDOUS weather conditions.
We spent day one heading down the Mornington Peninsular, towards Sorentto. After a night camping on the shorefront (without paying...oops) we caught the ferry across to queenscliff and took the great ocean road. A really spectacular drive. The sea goes on forever, violent waves crash against cliff faces and huge abandoned beaches lead the way without a single footprint.
We made the most of the great Otway national park and camped in there sites for the next few nights. Cooking proved quite a challenge,the menu consisting of pasta, wine and cigarettes yum yum...
We had an interesting evening with a couple of Germany girls who sat in the van with us into the wee hours (brave considering we hadn't showered for a few days) putting the world to rights.
I was thrilled to finally see a koala at the Kennitt River in their natural environment.
FACTS ABOUT KAOLA BEARS:
They are not Bears
Their brain is the size of a walnut
They are constantly poisoned from the eucalyptus they love to eat which actually causes them to feel stoned
The majority of their brain power is used just to hold on to branches- this is why they constantly look awkward, and because they are stoned.
They are one of my favourite animals.
On our penultimate day we headed up to the Grampians (a mountain range further north) via the stunning 12 apostles and the equally brilliant thunder cave, which funnily enough makes a noise similar to Nics bottom! It's strange I never thought I'd be so impressed with rocks but over the course of the trip we've travelled along way and spent a lot of money to look at some and I've always found myself pleasantly surprised, maybe I'm becoming cultured!!
The Grampians proved to be home to another furry friend...kangaroos! Well apparently they were wallabies but still I was super excited watching them hop about and scuffle with one another by the river.
Like all good things the road trip had to come to an end, we said farewell to dragonheart, boarded the train for Beaky and prepared for another goodbye. After a fantastic 6 weeks it was time to finally give the Shepherds there home back and head to the farm. We had a traditional British meal of Chicken Korma, made lillie the dog don a pair of shades and pose for pictures and reminisced over the good times we shared. They were so amazing, I give hotel Shepherd 5 stars.
So ee ii ee ii oo off we go...

Cow barns and fruit picking farms

Lots of love

Katie and Nic