Floorboards being re-surfaced and need to evacuate so dusted off Dora, attached the green machine  to the back and set off for a mini-break. First stop – Port Fairy. 

A beautiful little town with all that a historic seaside town has to offer- old cottages, long walks along breakwaters beautiful beaches and a rail trail. And fabulous coffee!

We m are staying  in a small caravan park about 2km out of PF- unusual for us to go parking but it’s almost empty so we get to enjoy the creature comforts (power and flush toilets) without the hubbub of too many fellow campers.  Mind you the newborn (sounding) on the other side of the campground has torn at our heart strings and made us miss our little man.

Day 1 was spent on the bike exploring the nooks and crannies and back streets/waters of PF. Weather was perfect for riding and where it got too sandy to ride we tied up the bike and walked.

Second day we had the best intentions to ride the rail trail to Koroit and on to tower hill- but woke up to a totally flat tyre and decided to drive instead. We were SOOOO glad we had- the hills into and out of the National park were ENORMOUS. I think if we’d ridden we would have to energy left to do the walks. Did two off the main walks- the pinnacle walk (quite a huff & puff but worth it for the views) and the circuit through the wetlands on board walks among the reeds. Both were beautiful.

After a mandatory stop in the Koroit tea rooms to re-fuel(Persian love cake for me and passion fruit sponge for David) we headed to Warnambool and waked the beach while the bike shop changed our tyre.

Now back at camp packing up – heading to Grampians tomorrow. 

 A change of pace from our long haul trips we’ve locked in a couple of  ‘long weekends’ to explore what’s right under our nose (or within a few hours anyway) with friends. 

 Edi Cutting

Our first was to Edi Cutting, a large bush camping site right on the banks of the King River. 

Woke to the threat rain and pressed on -it never rains north of The Divide does it?  David and I headed off mid morning and took the slow road – stopping off in all the little towns now by-passed by the Hume.  The inevitable breakfast in Seymour., pit stop in Euroa, snoop around the thriving and much larger town of Benalla and then Glenrowan – which didn’t seem to have changed too much from when we used to drive through way back when. Each went through our mandatory ‘can we live here test – train line (tick); good cafes (tick), services for oldies (hmm only some passed the Pub Test here).  

We arrived at Edi Cutting only a few minutes before Rick and Bei so could seek out the ‘perfect spot’ together.  After quite a bit of backing and filling to fit Dora between the gums and get her remotely level (and to source and pile rocks as extra chocks so we didn’t end up in the river over night) we were set.

Great walks, and a beer garden/cafe just up the road.

Brunton’s Bridge: campling and 4WD adventures

This gem of a free campground is set right on the banks of the Thompson River, in the shadows of the historic Brunton’s Bridge. Quite a drive to get there – we entered from the North via Walhalla. While coming fromt he South is quicker, it requires a water crossing – which we avoided beause 1) I didn’t fancy doing the freezing cold wade through water-check, and 2) we were a bit reluctant to take Dora through without someone nearby to pull us out if she got stuck- so Walhalla it was.

David and I arrived frist and set up camp in a sweet spot, only to go for a walk and discuver an absolutely magical spot futher down the banks. Determined to have the perfect camp before Rick and Bei arrived, we upped sticks (groan) and moved the 50 meters down the bank (I am so like my mother!).

Great pozzie with room for our two rigs and a fabulous fire pit.

Some fabulous four wheel driving to be had in this area – although poor old Buddy didn’t enjoy the twists and turns…. even his coat looked like it was turning green, poor little fella

Walhalla was beautiful – and turned on the good weather for us.