We hear the rain on the van in the morning, So the final pack up ends up being a very wet one. A lot of sites are empty this morning so a bunch must have left pretty early. We do get a rainbow over the van (#13 by Liam’s Count). Having packed up most things yesterday and last night, the worst today was packing up the wet, muddy floor mat in the rain (and I’m sure animal dropping too). Joy!
Rainbow 13
We pull out around 10, while the sun is poking through, it is also drizzling. So heading north east, I have the great combination of sun and rain in my eyes all morning. Which doesn’t make driving on this road very easy. Some more great scenery, and just over our shoulder is this great rainbow over the ocean (rainbow #14).
Not easy to see 
Rainbow #14 
Damn Narrow Road
Back in Lorne, and if possible it seems busier than it did yesterday. Other than a few sections, one called Devil’s Elbow which are narrow and windy, the road opens up a bit and is more like coastal beach. I want to stop and get a photo of the Memorial Arch just outside Aireys Inlet, but there is just no parking driving this direction. Actually that’s been a huge problem doing the GOR west to east, all the stops and pull offs are on the coast side, with almost nothing on the other side. Whilst we didn’t really have the choice, I would certainly recommend driving it the other way.
Opening up 
Into Anglesea 
Memorial Arch
We kinda miss the turn off to Bell Beach, but do take a detour though Torquay. Like Lorne is pretty busy.
From here we are basically on the freeway to Melbourne. Here the wind really picks up, it is blowing a gale, the trees are like they are in a washing machine. This is the worst wind that I’ve driven with the van on so far. At times it’s a challenge to keep it in the lane, I consider pulling over, but there’s no guarantee it going to abate any time soon.. Over the Westgate bridge (fortunately the wind has died down a bit), then on the freeway that skirts the south of Melbourne, so the kids can now tick Melbourne off their Capital city Bingo list, only Hobart to go!
Melbourne – Bingo!
About 2pm we pull into the Dandenong Big4, settle your expectation kids!, It dark and grey and feels more like 5pm. I swear Melbourne hates me. Melbourne does it’s 4 seasons (well not summer) in one day trick.
After a bit of a break we take the 15min drive over to where Justine grew up, we see her old house, although it’s now behind a 8’ fence. Then her old Primary school. It’s a bit of a nostalgia walk up memory lane for Justine today.
Behind the wooden Fence, not much to see
Dinner with Justine’s Brother Mark, and his partner Lisa at “The Keysie” the drive back to the park. So it’s a late night for the kids.
Brother and Sister.
We’ve confirmed spots at Sovereign Hill for Tuesday and the local van park for two nights, it’s all a bit exxy, but the kids should enjoy it.
I review the lock down conditions for NSW, while it’s not clear if lockdown will ease this Friday, it seems certain that the recommendation will be for kids to return to school next Tuesday. If it ends up with the Kids being told to stay home, I may have extended our trip by a bit. I have to say with the covid lockdowns, we’ve been really lucky actually.
Ahhhhhh my beautiful Melbourne………say no more.
Ciao Pauly
That narrow road with the blind bend ahead looks very nerve wracking.
I would love to have a look behind the high fence, looks like they have left the jacaranda and flame tree I planted.
Well there are two familiar faces, old stomping ground Justine.