An early start to the day as we embark with the relatives on a two hour drive to Dean's Marsh. A visit to a recently planned and partly planted arboretum is on the cards. This is an interesting project developed by sister-in-law's brother called Frogwood Arboretum - http://www.frogwood.com.au.
Maps and plans are perused before we set off for a walk around the site and get a view of the early plantings.
There is also a creek rehabilitation project that is ongoing - the difference between the managed and unmanaged is quite stark, with lots of birds and bird song in the managed part and virtually nothing in the rather overgrown and alien species part.
The visit could have lasted many more hours than we actually spent but a late lunch was calling at a restaurant cum pub called The Martian, which as the choice of name suggests has a very unique style. A large selection of meals were on offer (although not all available) and adjustments for the finicky vegetarian were readily accepted. The place is apparently frequented by the older bikers, much the same as the prom cafés back home, only here they have been cruising the Great Ocean Road.
Australia has a variation on the theme of the bacon lettuce and tomato roll - the BLT.
You can have a BLAT which includes Avocado, and here I saw the BLEAT (add Egg). I opted for my own request of a BLET, you'll have to work that out for yourself, but it was very good and accompanied by Ginger Beer (Bundaberg of course, though we have been introduced to a ginger cordial to which you add your own soda water, so we need to try this back home).
From there we made our way down to The Great Ocean Road at Lorne, after a quick detour to visit Erskine Falls. The lack of rain in the area recently means that they were not particularly impressive though set in a very picturesque valley with tree ferns etc.
As you would expect we venture out onto the pier and take a number of shots though we would have wished for somewhat brighter if not hotter weather.
The drive back toward Melbourne alongside the ocean was very different this time to our first visit as there has been a great deal of sea front development of various styles, with anything that has a view commanding 6 figure prices. It is still an impressive drive, although I would now say it is eclipsed by the seaside drives we took in NZ. We are able to say this now as we will be out of the country by the time this is published and read by our millions of Australian followers.
Just as we reach the outskirts of the city a wireframe thing is visible at the side of the motorway. I thought it created an interesting effect anyway.
Settled down for the evening to watch Australia win the first ODI against South Africa which was being televised from Perth.