Mike Handes: Holiday

Traveled at a very leisurely pace from Anglesea to Apollo Bay today.
Taemar & Stephen went for an early morning walk/run/ride along the beachfront and to the park for some exercise. They saw a mother and father duck with 8 duckings. Stephen rode a little close on his bike and the parents chased them with their beaks open and their wings flapping. They were not happy!
After breakfast we played in the playroom provided by the park we were staying in – lots of lego to play with.
We went to the beach at Anglesea (Toddlers Beach) for a couple of hours in the morning. This involved more digging and also some climbing up the cliffs at the end of the beach. Stephen & Mike had a great time clambering over the rocks. Mike couldn’t see why Taemar was so anxious until she pointed out the signs that said “No climbing - unstable cliffs”.

Then the really fun part of the day began. We slowly drove the first section of the Great Ocean Road. We knew it was supposed to be scenic, but our expectations were low compared with the beauty of the landscape. It compares very favorably with Cinque Terre in the Italian Riviera. We think our coastline is actually prettier for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the headlands are separated by beautiful white sandy beaches.

Secondly, it has the ruggedness and cliffs that drop into the Ocean like Cinque Terre, but the Great Ocean Road has a very well maintained road, with plenty of places to stop, lookouts, etc… Basically the beauty of the landscape has been maximized for the benefit of the tourist. Cinque Terre is more…well, it’s more Italian.

We’re staying in a Spa cabin overlooking the beach. It’s in a fantastic position and the sound of the waves combined with the birds singing…well, it’s great to be on holidays!
We had a play on the beach this afternoon and then great pizza for dinner. Stephen says that the best thing about being on holidays is going to the beach.

Mike Handes