Wednesday March 19, 2014

We had a late start today, leaving the camp site at 9:00.  The ride took us along  a very pretty shared walking/cycling path for 3km.  I love these small communities that provide shared pathways along their beautiful coastline.

After the coastal pathway we followed a very quiet road and then headed in-land to Allansford where we stopped at the Cheese factory and museum and cheese tasting. We bought some nice cheese (Cheddar with black pepper and garlic).  We had lunch at the Cheese Museum and then headed out to join the Great Ocean Road at Nullaware.

Strange sights to see on this section of the road – a camel!  Alpacas for Melinda.

However, we didn’t see any sight of the sea until we got close to Peterborough (50kms into the day).  This section of the route was very rural and I was battered by bugs.  I could hear and feel them bounce of my helmet, shoulders, chest and glasses.  It was really annoying.  Then we made a right turn and saw the ocean and an incredible view of the coastline.

From them on and for the next 15 kms we were stopping every kilometre or so to view the absolutely stunning scenery in \”pull-outs\”.

Bay of Islands Quote on the Information Boards reads  \”There is a thin line between life and death for the plants and animals living here – caught between land and sea\”

Bay of Martyrs – \”By enjoying and caring about your natural and wild places, you can ensure they, and all that lives in them, will be here tomorrow\”

Although the quote asks us to look after the places we visit, unfortunately the sea is not that caring.  It is wearing away areas of this coastline with every wave.

The Grotto – the sea created a blow hole and now a cave eventually the roof of this cave will collapse and there will be more stone outcroppings.

London Bridge Has Fallen Down – just like in the nursery rhyme we used to sing as kids.  This used to have two arches.  I spoke to a lady who had been here when it did have two arches in the mid 80\’s.  The first arch collapsed in the early 1990\’s.

The Arch, (I didn\’t add a photo of the Arch, because I liked this one better), this area of the coastline reminded Ralf and I of a hand – Maybe it is a giant climbing the cliff.

All wonderful examples of the power of water.

Most of these areas had pull-outs big enough for cars and buses.  There were a few that had gravel roads into them.  A few had boardwalks, to keep you off the fragile coastline and flora and fauna.  all of them were within about 500 metres of the road.

We arrived in Port Campbell at about 4:30 one of our longest days, but not due to the distance, due to the scenery.  Tonight we are in Port Campbell a small seaside town.  We decided to eat out at the local pub – it was expensive but good. We are not going to be hearing the surf all night as we are surrounded by hills and about 1 km from the ocean.