The explorers return

As mentioned in the previous post, there was some doubt as to whether all the adventurers would return. Thankfully (and mainly due to the medical breakthough from a few years back... alcohol & meat pies) Clem, Marj, Beckochinno and Fan have returned to their respective abodes.

It has been touch and go over the last week. Clem nearly OD'd on Fish and Chips, Marj nearly had a mental breakdown over the number batteries that had to be brought for her camera, Beckochinno nearly drowned in the world's smallest double spa bath and Fan Dango did become a serial killer of flies, butterflys and one dragon fly.

The trip began well on the Saturday. It was a bright summers morning, the campers were certainly happy and 350km layed ahead. So after 1km it was time for the first stop, food at the Mill bakery. Once the fuel was consumed Ben & Charlotte were on their merry way. A quick trip through the city (Charlotte kept jumping the funny light things for controlling traffic) and the M1 was thus reached.




















The first days trip was along the M1 to Murray Bridge (cleverly named after a bridge that goes over the River Murray)and then on to Tallem Bend which has a historic old town as an attraction. Right on to the B1 and on to Meningie, which I think was named after the evil guy out of Flash Gordon. Lunch was taken and then it was time to carry on along the long road to Kingston SE where we were attacked by a giant lobster (or crayfish if you are Australian). Beckochinno took a quick photo of the deadly man eating lobster whilst Fan reved Ben and they made a quick escape. After the escape it was on to Cape Jaffa to spend the night camping with the local fisherman.















Beckochinno and Fan awoke the next morning bright and early, only to discover that Clem and Marj had been awake, dressed and gotten the kettle on already. Time 08.00am. Once packed (Clem and Marj took forever, despite being up so early) the convoy was off. Next stop was Robe which was a quaint beach village where loads of art dudes live and a big obelisx is the main attraction. Beachport, Millicent and then Mount Gambier followed having gone though giant tree forests and fought gale force winds. Mount Gambier is a picturesque town, built around big hills and a giant blue volcano and a very big hole in the ground. The big hole was actually a fantastic garden formed in a sink hole (no not that kind of sink hole, this is a sinkhole, also known as a sink, shake hole, swallow hole, swallet, doline or cenote, is a natural depression or hole in the surface topography caused by the removal of soil or bedrock, often both, by water. Sinkholes may vary in size from less than a meter to several hundred meters both in diameter and depth, and vary in form from soil-lined bowls to bedrock-edged chasms. They may be formed gradually or suddenly, and are found worldwide. ).

Mount Gambier was left behind and it was on to Pavelova (Fan's funny gag for Penola) for the evenings stay and the start for the next days Vineyard extraveganza. The carvan park was hosted by a lovely lady who had forgotten to put her teeth in, which brought great amusement to Fan.














The 3rd day and Beckochinno and Fan were up before the sleeping Clem and Marj who had been given sleeping drugs the night before so as to ensure they were not up too early. Brekkie was good ol bacon and eggs cooked on the bbq which filled everyones boots for the day ahead. The wine adventure tour began at Holicks (surely named after a night on the booze) followed by Wynns Estate (very rude people), Rymill (very nice people) who gave the gang lots of lovely vintage wines to try, Majella and finally winery of the year Balnaves. Over 20 wines were tried and thankfully no bobies were seen. A good day had by all and of course a few bottles purchased for the following evenings.
















Day 4, not long to go, keep reading. The trip was now heading north and across to Horsham where a lovely lunch was purchased for lunchtime (not dinner time) and then on to the Grampians. First stop was lunch, it consisted of, Olives marinaded in flies, Ham and fly sandwiches, Spicy Sausage fly, Salad sprinkled with fly and Carlton Draught with a hint of fly. After this relaxing lunch break the team headed off up into the Grampians to take in some of the most amazing views and windy roads. Clem and Marj managed to stop every 2 seconds going up the road so that they restock their fridge that emptied after every bend. After lots of OOOO's and ahhh's it was on to the campsite to feed the 50,000 kangaroos that lived there and to view the Emu's that grazed in the fields. A scenic spot only enhanced by the constant buzzing in the ears.














Day 5, awoken by the fly alarm, Clem was the only one to brave brekkie outside. He set a new record for the most number of flies to sit on the Human body whilst eating wheaties. Once everything was cleared away, it was on with a scenic wavey drive to Port Fairy. Port Fairy is like the Polzeath (Cornwall) of Australia. A sleepy village that becomes a party town for the summer, watch out for those zimmer frames.


















Day 6, and its time to set off from the port. Today is the day that the 4 disciples will meet the 12 (now 8) Apostles. We head off in a 20 carvan convoey, it seems everyone from Port Fairy is going on the Great Ocean Road. First stop is at Port Campbell which is surf dude hot spot. So we hang ten and wipe out of PC and carry on our way to the 12 big pebbles. Upon arrival at the tourist spot we ventured out to the cliff face to see the amazing site that is the 12 Apostles, they truely are quite a site to behold. Next stop was the scary walk of death. The scary bit was also that Fan hadn't looked at the petrol gague and suddenly realised he was jazzing things up a bit. The tree top walk is also scary because it has a 15 min walk where you are once again attacked by Elephant sized flies. Anyway, we begun our accent to the top of the trees via a giant meccano set. 49 metres up with the trees was a pretty spectacular site. Once finally (and greatfully) back on firm soil the adventures headed to the campsite for the evening at Cape Otway. A roaring fire was made by Fan & Clem whilst Marj & Beckochinno marvelled at the stoned koalas sitting in the trees.





Day 7. Up bright and brezzy once more, the quite peaceful sound of the camp was suddenly broken... by what. Was it a low flying Tiger Moth? Was it a diesel engine? Was it the windy sound from down below in Fan's underpants? nope, it was a Koala climbing the tree. It was amazing, seeing this creature that sleeps 23 hrs a day suddenly climbing from ground up making this diesel sounding noise. So, animal studies aside the drive began along one of the most stunning drives in the world (well that we have seen anyway). From the GOR Charlotte and Ben headed up to Daylesford for a dip in a Spa and a massage. Afterwards a military operation was instigated to get Clem and Marj, Fan & Beckochinno into town. See video for the trip into town.














Day 8. From Daylesford it was time to head into town (Melbourne) to drop off Ben & Charlotte. It was a sad moment, saying goodbye to the home of the 4 amegios for the past 8 days. It was then into a crazy cab to the city for the luxury stay at Jasper Hotel. Clem and Marj broke into someone elses room, which caused a little bit of a kuffle, but thankfully they only stole a bottle of hotel shampoo. The arvo was spent shopping and sight seeing before a final farewell meal at the Melbourne Docklands. There was a chance of getting back to the UK on a super yacht, but unfortuantly a hotel room was booked.

Day 9. Sadley the journey of Clem Lueray, Marj Targ, Beckochinno and Fan Dango comes to an end. A tearful farewell from the Airport and Grrrrr ride home for Beckochinno and Fan see the adventure come to an end. Its been emotional, fullfilling (from lots of food) and great fun.