I did it my way

On arriving in Darwin, I had one week's accommodation booked and my Pet Shop Boys ticket for 06 June in Sydney. I had my ticket home from Melbourne for 10 July too. But that was it, to quote Mr Sinatra, the rest "I did it my way":

And now, the end is here

And so I face the final curtain

My friend, I'll say it clear

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I traveled each and ev'ry highway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few

But then again, too few to mention

I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all, when there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried

I've had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say, not in a shy way,

"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"

For what is a man, what has he got?

If not himself, then he has naught

To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels

The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!

[instrumental]

Yes, it was my way

And it's been a bloody good holiday too.

Nearly a week has gone by!

The Great Ocean Road trip part two was scenic and rocky. The weather was mixed but held up pretty well. The third most visited natural location in Oz was busy but the guide assured me it was nothing like it is in Summer. I can believe him. We popped in to a rainforest boardwalk (another one!) and yes it was me who found the carnivorous snail. Small, shiny black shell, snail-like. It was amusing to watch tourists trying to get excited about a snail. Some of them even took photographs. I took one but it was blurry! Damn fast these creatures. A long bus ride back to Melbourne and my last YHA of the whole holiday - Melbourne Metro - and what a hostel. Fairly new, good rooms, great bathrooms (including a bath!), a rooftop lounge and terrace, a cafe and well equipped kitchen. And it was completely non-smoking. I submitted and had a pizza and chips from the cafe for dinner and wasn't disappointed. In fact, I couldn't even eat all the chips! I spent the evening chatting to a Kiwi who writes travel reviews and collects old books. Shows what you can find out if you offer someone a share of your chips! Probably the best hostel in my travels.

Tuesday I made my way over to West Brunswick (I believe the 'west' is important) to see out my days in Oz at Lauren and Michael's place. It was lovely to stop and sit down, chill and chat, catch up over a cuppa.

Since then, I've been mooching about, dropping in on what Melbourne has to offer and getting ready mentally to come home. Normally, if you've got ten days to go that's pretty much a whole holiday but that's not how it's been feeling. To be honest, I'm suffering separation anxiety! I want to go home but don't want to leave Australia. I have managed to visit Queen Victoria Markets more than once; the National Gallery of Victoria (Australia branch); botanic gardens x2; St Kilda (the seaside in Melbourne); Melbourne Museum and Melbourne Zoo. General shopping has happened and I have to finish my pressie finding this week! I've discovered the source of a most amazing carrot cake, ploughed my way through an over-sized slab of Death by Chocolate and eaten a couple of pizzas. Fruit and vegetables have also been consumed. Of course.

Staying with Lauren has been great. Not having to share a room being one feature but a cat to play with is an added bonus. I can even cook in a kitchen, on my own, and find things in the cupboard that I can use. Melanie lives only round the corner so she and I have also spent some time together, putting the world to rights. We went to the Winter fireworks on a Friday thing in Docklands which was good. Having given up on watching football in the middle of the night once the Socceroos and England failed to escape the first round of the World Cup, I've had nocturnal tennis to watch. I stayed up for the local interest, Nick Kyrgios beating Rafa Nadal, and then last night I watched the amazing final between Federer and Djokovic.

So, my time here is drawing to a close. Hopefully, my next posting will be more upbeat.

Rain - it's the new way

Friday morning I checked out of Melbourne Central for the last time and went off on the Great Ocean Road tour. Our guide warned us that high winds were expected along with rain as the day progressed. However, as we ventured nearer the coast it seemed that we would perhaps be lucky.

Tea break by the beach at Anglesea was breezy but sunny. This (or nearby Torquay) is where Rip Curl the surf company invented wetsuits for surfing. We did some ooh look at the sea ocean stops and went to find some koalas. This was not so easy; seems like they've been scared off by all the tourists. I spotted one, high up in the very top of a very tall eucalyptus tree. It's almost like he was doing it on purpose - yes I'm here but your photos will be rubbish! Returning to the minibus, I ambled past a group of three small trees and found another beastie, much lower down and photo friendly. I quietly mentioned it to people who came our way, so as not to overwhelm the poor creature. One tour driver was very happy that I told him! Made him look good, I suppose. A French girl from my tour said yes, I saw him already and took lots of pictures. Hmmmm so you didn't think to share your good fortune with anyone else? I've learned a lot about myself and other people on this trip (I think you always do) but sometimes I'm just lefting shaking my head.

Another thing (bad way to start a new paragraph) about tourists and photographs is this idea of wanting a picture of yourself in front of every piece of scenery, statuary, landmark, furry creature. It makes for very irritating times when someone else ie me wants a picture of the thing on its own. I bet the enforced slide show back home is exciting too "Here's me in front of the bridge. Here's me by the sea view. Here's me by the statue. Here's me.... Zzzzzzzzzz". Ok, perhaps that's lovely for some folk. All you'll get from me is photos of things I've seen and want to remember. I know what I look like and it's not getting any better.

Anyway, we got to Apollo Bay where we had lunch and I left the group and walked a few yards to the YHA. Very similar design to Halls Gap, I dumped my things and made off to the visitor information centre. A very helpful lady there photocopied a couple of pages from her book of walks and suggested a few options. I went off to Marriners Lookout (correct spelling). The road wanders away from the coastline then heads up, nice and steeply. A few cars went past, of course I would have refused any offer of a lift but no-one stopped anyway. I reached a car park and then there was a footpath, with more storm damaged trees, to reach the 'top'. Here were glorious views out over Apollo Bay and nearby Marengo, the surfing crashing relentlessly, the sky blue and the wind picking up, just a bit (lot). I find it so calming to be able to take in the simple beauty of the environment. Anyway, no tourists in the way of my camera! Back down to earth and town, I bought some beers and checked in for my three night stay at the YHA. I was amused to find wine for sale in those squeezy sports drink packs, and reduced to $2 for 250ml too. I had to buy one just to take a picture. I'm sure my friends at the running club would have appreciated them on their 24 hour event.

Saturday and it was raining. Undaunted, I started the Great Ocean Walk once the skies had cleared a little. The day warmed up and the scenery was fantastic. Surf, sea, seals they were all there together with very few other walkers, mostly people with dogs. The path ventures inland at times and there are decision points along the way where it's up to you if you think you can get to the next bit of the path via the beach or would rather not swim for it. Eventually the rain gods woke up and by the time I was back at Apollo Bay via Shelly Beach about 10 miles later I was soaked. However, there's a bath! So I made use of that and re-appeared suitably clean and with a warm glow.

Sunday and it was raining. Undaunted, I started the walk to Paradise. Well I had to check a place with a name like that! The walk was all on roads, flat to start and then a gentle upwards drift. I passed fields and rolling hillsides, looking very picturesque and British with the rain, the green grass, sheep, cattle, donkeys and alpaca..... Well they have alpaca in the Lake District, I've seen them! Is the plural of alpaca alpaca or alpacas? I like them with their cute hairstyle and they seem slightly less threatening and belligerent than llamas although I haven't tested that theory in any way. The Paradise picnic area was a bit disappointing but it did have a toilet. Marriners Falls was advertised as closed but I decided to keep walking on as I was now in forest with massive eucalyptus trees, the Barham River rushing by at great volume, birds, sheep and road. There were occasional houses, holiday homes and what I imagine were smallholdings off this road. Many unseen but announced by their gate sign or a letterbox. Remote enough not to be heard by the neighbours pretty much unless you let off big fireworks but still on a road which was not even a dirt track. I turned back at 2pm, not wanting to be walking in the dark if I could help it. I always need to allow for distraction time! It did stop raining and I waved at the donkeys and alpaca who had moved in their field and were looking a lot more cheerful. I probably covered about a half marathon so a decent day's walking (for a holiday!).

Monday and it was raining. Undaunted, I stayed in a while and did my packing. A final walk in the wet around the harbour and I went to resume my Great Ocean Road One Day Tour.