A long weekend around Geelong

Back from our Easter Weekend staying at the Old Paper Mills at Fyansford.  Arrived on Friday afternoon after stopping in Geelong for a look around (it's about 5km from the City centre) and there were cars everywhere! Thoughts of a relaxing few days went out the window.  Not to fear, it was simply a charity event that they were holding there.  The rest of the weekend was very peaceful. 


The little apartment, named "Prayag" is on the bottom floor of the owners home.  Very cute, with natural stone walls and a wood fire, had everything we needed included plenty of grass and space for Lola.  The only negative was that it sounded like a herd of elephants were romping around upstairs.  Luckily at night time they slept and weren't early risers.


The Mill sits right on the Barwon River near Buckley Falls and it's beautiful walking around the river.  Emi found a good fishing platform and although he took the kayak, decided it was too cold to go for a paddle!


Saturday drive around the Bellarine Peninsula stopping at Manzanillo Grove in Drysdale and a couple of other spots and for a stroll around Portarlington.  What is it about "country" towns and bakeries and the need to visit and sample from all of them??  They have a magical pull.  Also stopped in Queenscliff for a look around and visited the museum, a couple of galleries and a great produce shop.  Ever wonder if it's spelt Queenscliffe or Queenscliff?  Well the Borough is called the Borough of Queenscliffe and includes Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale. The town itself it Queenscliff.  So now you know.  The whole peninsular is a lovely spot.  Will need to go back to do the Blues Train.


Easter Sunday and Andrea came to spend the day.  If you haven't been to Geelong or it's been ages, it's really worth the visit.  Heaps to see and do.  The cultural precinct is beautiful and although not really art gallery types,  it's a stunning building that has the modern, futuristic library sort of built in alongside it.  The old and the new combined. Shame that the library was closed. 


After lunch at the end of Cunningham Pier, we paid a visit to the SV Tenacious.  Tenacious is the world’s largest operative wooden hulled tall ship, built by the Jubilee Sailing Trust specifically to be fully accessible for persons with disabilities. She includes wheelchair lifts, a speaking compass and a joystick to enable people with limited dexterity to helm the ship.  They are offering a $1,000 for 21 days price to sail from Melbourne to Wellington bargain! Would be such an amazing experience.  I'd love to do something like this - will have to add it to the list!  Certainly different to a Princess Cruise.


The Bollards of Geelong are iconic.  In total there are 48 sites with over 100 bollards installed right around the Waterfront from Limeburner’s Point to Rippleside Park. Artist Jan Mitchell was commissioned by the City of Greater Geelong in 1995 to transform reclaimed timber pier pylons into these remarkable works of art.  We didn't photograph them all, but managed a fair few!


And home again today after a final walk and breakfast.  Certainly missed my Chico Lucas.  Not quiet the same going on these little holidays with out him.