Days 1 and 2: The Great Ocean Roadtrip

X and I had planned to spend his birthday together. Now virtually everyone I've mentioned this to asks, Didn't you guys break up? Well, yeah. We did. And we remain broken up. But just because you break up with someone (especially when it was amicable), it shouldn't mean you should wipe them out completely. X was a massive part of my young adulthood and still remains, a good friend. I'm not going to pretend he wasn't a huge part of the reason I moved to this lovely country and he didn't affect my life very fundamentally.

Jan: ...and I'll pick you up, okay?

X: Wash the car first.

Jan: WTF

X: I don't want to picked up by a dirty car.

Jan: SO TAKE THE BUS.

So goes how I ended up doing my first solo carwash. All sorts of nervewracking scenarios played in my mind - what if those giant brushes broke through my windscreen? What if I drowned in soapy water? What if I was late for my medical appointment?

After checking into Hotel Discovery (functional, friendly staff, reasonable parking, gorgeous bedding though the toilet was miles away), we spent a large part of the day wandering around the State Library. I felt vaguely Harry Potter-ish, what with my heavy MNG wintercoat and glasses.



X's lovely niece recommended the Dining Room at the Waterside Hotel. I managed to convince his sister to make a 4 hour roundtrip from Boolarra too. It all turned out beautifully in spite of the pouring rain. The food was divine - try the Grilled Saganaki. I had the Calamari and Chorizo Salad, which was lovely, and would have been lovelier had I actually liked chorizo.

Torquay is lovely. Reminds me of the northern NSW towns, only heaps colder. Bells Beach had such lovely waves - long, unbroken and non-dumpy. I am in awe of how anyone can possibly surf in such freezing conditions.

The entire drive was so scenic.

Lorne reminded me of Kiama, albeit smaller. Very charming and as with all Aussie tourist towns, overpriced. The friendly manager of the local post office cheerfully told of a 3 week period earlier during which he was able to view whales mating through the door. "What other kind of indoor job can you expect to see that?"

Apollo Bay. X got some smoked trout, which became fodder for a load of jokes (did you know that smacking someone around with a frozen trout is an actual offence in UK?). I got some barramundi and chips whilst the seagulls circled us at the park.

The 12 Apostles was breathtaking.

Only the gloomy weather marred the magnificent vision.

There was a really noticeable amount of Indian visitors there (like 40%). At first I thought it might be due to the nearby university town of Warrnambool, but was told those institutions largely cater for locals. Is anyone able to provide an explanation? I thought it might be a sacred site or something, but then it's the 12 Apostles, you know?

Fat ass bee on the lavender patch outside our motel.

We stayed at the 12 Apostles Motel and Country Retreat. It's hosted on 8 acres of former dairy farmland and a phone call from KG at night had me standing outside, gazing up at the star scattered night sky, the Milky Way subtly visible.