FRIDAY 13 FEBRUARY   MINJAH TO TORQUAY   227kms

We left the farm at 10am, after an absolutely great visit.

I am not all that keen about travelling on a Friday 13th, but so be it. I have had some distinctly disastrous days on this date! My apprehension proved to have some grounds when, just out of Caramut,  a 4WD passed us with the lady passenger waving frantically out of her window at us. We pulled over to see what she had been waving about – and discovered that I had left the van window at the head of our bed (the road side) somewhat open. We were probably lucky not to have gone too far or done any damage. I shut and clipped it firmly, and resolved never to make that mistake again.

We drove to Torquay via Mortlake, Camperdown and Colac, and almost into Geelong. It was an enjoyable drive on a pleasantly warm day. John’s leg was still hurting, though.

We went into the Zeally Bay Caravan Park, booking for a week for $95. It seemed a pleasant enough park, on the Esplanade. Certainly a great improvement on the last park!

We set up with no problems backing  onto our site, and set up relatively easily. We are definitely getting better at this.

Lunch was late, after all that.

John wanted to check out the Torquay Bowls Club, of course. As a result, we are playing on Sunday.

We drove around Torquay, a little. I have not previously spent any time here, at all, so it is new ground. This was one of the reasons for choosing to end this Western District segment here.

Drove into Geelong, only 20kms away. John wanted to find a hardware store. When it came time to park and walk to one, he decided his leg was too sore, so we turned round and came back to camp. This is the longest drive he has done, to date, and because we were towing, there was a lot more clutch work for the leg.

John napped for two hours, then we drove around and found a fish and chip shop to buy our tea.

Torquay seems a good place for a base. The town looks pleasant. The sea looks great – to view, not to go into! It is an easy run to Geelong when we need to go there.

I should explain the comment about the sea. Some years ago, a marine biologist friend commented that she knew too much about what lives in the sea, to ever go swimming in it. Who am I to argue? I paddle, and confine swimming to proper pools.