Sunday 15th February 2015.
Alarm set for 8am so that we could have breakfast and go and pick up the car. It is a bright sunny morning today. Breakfast was pretty much a repeat of yesterday except the eggs were fried instead of scrambled – but all was nice all the same. While we were eating we decided to book a hotel for tonight and browsed hotels.com picking a Best Western in Geelong.
After doing most of the packing we walked along to LaTrobe Street then down to the Thrifty office on Elizabeth Street. There were two people serving , each with a customer but we were soon sorted – the car, which is a Colt GSX, which is a small SUV – Victoria plates 1DM 5GM – it is almost new and has just over 8k km on the clock. It was brought round to the road in front for us and we headed back to the hotel. We managed to park on the street not far from the hotel – a perk of a Sunday morning pick up.
After checking out and Sue saying goodbye to Euan we headed out to David’s retirement village in Wantirna – Sue navigated me along the busy roads to the M3 and then it was plain sailing – the motorway is a toll road and the tolls are charged automatically to my credit card via the rental company who add an admin charge of $3. there is no cash alternative and no getting out of it – other than avoiding toll roads – not entirely practical without a very good satnav in a city that is routinely grid locked at several junctions.
The ride out to David’s was very pleasant and we found the village and were very impressed – http://www.stockland.com.au/retirement/vic/melbourne-east/wantirna-village.htm
I rang David and he came to meet us – we last saw him two years ago, and his sight has deteriorated since then – hence he is living in an assisted community. He gave us the tour and then we went to his unit for a chat and to catch up. he then treated us to lunch at the local club. http://www.wantirnaclub.com.au/
The restaurant is very nice – he is member and signed us in- despite eating breakfast not too long ago I managed some lamb ribs with wedges and salad, Sue had some goulash with rice and David demolished the curry of the day – a beef Madras complete with rice, poppadoms and dips. We also had a real good chat and catch up before going back to his unit where the talking continued, he is a fascinating man to talk to and I love hearing his stories of old Army and Merchant Navy days.
About half four, we said our goodbyes and headed back to the city – Sue managed to navigate me past the MCG and out to the M1 and heading for Geelong – the roads are busy and I have already learned to be very watchful of other drivers in Oz! Apparently Geelong is Victoria’s second city and is obviously very industrial it has lots of railway lines and factories.
The hotel was just round a bend and involved a last minute swerve to get in. Sue checked us in – it is a two storey modern building, we are on the first floor (UK) in Room 25 – the room is very big with a little kitchenette, sofa and a chair – a big bathroom but only a shower. The chap checking Sue in was very helpful and gave her some leaflets about the Great Ocean Road. First priority is clothes wash. I sat and did diary while Sue got it sorted.
Next priority was a bit of shopping – we don’t want a meal tonight given the amount of food we have already consumed but we do need something, so we drove down the very picturesque and almost American Geelong High street to a big Woolworth’s. Here we got some lovely cheesy cobs, some tomatoes and some cooked meat to make our own meal in the room, we also picked up cookies, pop and beer – the usual essentials.
It was still light at just after 7pm, so Sue navigated us down to the seafront where there was a lovely park and a long pier, we paused for a photo op before heading back to the hotel for diary, clothes washing, showers etc.
India have beaten Pakistan in Adelaide fairly easily.
Trip 150.8 km
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