Lou's family owns beach house in Ocean Grove which gave us finally, yes finally, a sniff of a chance for a surf down under. The ute fully loaded with all sorts we headed for the south coast for a couple of days. It didn't seem fair though that Lou had to stay home and work but we agreed that someone had to for the state of the nation if nothing else! Once we reached number 19, HQ for the next few days, we reloaded the ute with a quiver of boards and suits and we head for a local surf spot. Following a swift survey of the follow breaks: 13th Bach, Sign Post, Boings and Ocean Grove it was decided that Bass Straight at Ocean Grove was good for us. This spot is the stretch of ocean between Tasmania and south coast oz. We had some great fun on some cleanish waves that at times were peeling nicely and although a pretty glassy day happy to say not a dorsal fin in sight. Which was nice!
On return to HQ we had a job on. A touch of lawn attention. Wellwhy wouldn't ya? Petrol mower on-loan, fireboots on - for safety, stubby in hand and bug cream applied by the bucket load the 3 of us easily ploughed through it. After the grounds were tamed, stubbies flowed and the barbie cooked us up some steak, alas the mozzies took the crown on this evening so it was a quick dive for cover around 10ish. We estimated a figure of 8 trillion mossies were involved in this swarm. Ouch. All happy inside as we molded ourselves to the sofa and watched the classic surfing flick Morning of the Earth. One for you Mallinson.
Next day was an early start and a second surf session was successfully under our belts at Ocean Grove. Did manage to get the 8ft 6 going but it was a bit of a paddle-fest. Lovely board its just I'm a few paddles off the pace ! Again all sticky out bits still intact, no sharks, whales or snakes to report. Today conditions were even cleaner and although the cloud had come in a little this seemed to be a good thing as it kept control of the wave height. Come two odd hours in though totally and utterly pooped, tanks right on empty. Fe had met some unexpected rocks resulting in some hoof damage. No drama though, just a couple of nicks which no doubt will go down as an extreme sport injuries tale.
All out the water Deanoooo took us to the local bakery where we had the most monumental of all, ever recorded, home made sausage roll, all well earned. It had the girth of a tree trunk, at a guess around 150grams of the finest oz pork. Grouse or what.
Then back on the bus/ute Deanooooo Keeble tours took us along the Great Ocean Road which included some great surf spots and some real grand design style houses set back in cliff top locations. It was great to find some manageable surf and see a part of oz that didn't form part of our original plan. Nice.
The Great Ocean Road is 300km running along the the south-western coast of Victoria. The road was built by nearly 3000 solders returning from The Great War. The soldiers worked for 14 years to complete the road. It is dedicated to their fallen comrades.
Back in Melbourne and reunited with Lou, the only worker in the bunch, we enjoyed a rare meal out at a local restaurant named The Royal Mail. It was road-kill night therefore when in Rome we ordered to suit. Well if you are going to go out in Oz you gotta go native. This little place is well worth it as the food, beers and atmosphere was cracking.
The next day big Deanoooooo, the firefighter, gave us a tour of the City and of his station. Yes there was a pole and plenty big hoses on hand. The poms both got the kit on, boy was it hot and heavy, totally nuts. Didn't fancy climbing a multi storey building with all of that on! Fe even got to sound the horn! Mad thing was mid-equipement try on there was a actual shout, sorry a call. Can it get any better when your mid-fire station tour.
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