Geelong, Ferry to Tasmania, Xmas Day etc

Hello moovers and groovers, 

Louise here on the blog today, giving you all the news that's worthy of being called news, in regards to our ongoing adventure around this great big brown land of ours known as Oz-tralia...

After our trip along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, we ended up in Ocean Grove near Geelong, which was very handy as we had a date to meet up with one of Matt's old chums from Magnetic Island, Tony and his wife Joanne who live in Geelong;  we left the golf club car park in Ocean Grove, on 21st Dec to meet up with them later that afternoon.  We wanted to have a look around Geelong, and a  lovely place it is too, but a bit cold and windy for my tastes...We met up with tony and jo around 2pm and had a lovely afternoon tea with them, and if you are reading this - thanks guys!  It was great to catch up with old chums again.

Then we made our way to Port Melbourne  to catch the Tasman Ferry to Tasmania on Wed 22.12.10 and we had to park in a local beach reserve, as the streets around the ferry terminal are all paid parking.  Well, it was an interesting place to park, dear readers...  It had a car park area adjoining a tiny beach, and let us say that gentlemen who "play for the other team" were enjoying the sea air! (Not that there is anything wrong with that - as long as it doesn't involve children, small animals or your immediate family, I don't care what you do)   - and as I always say, I'm not gay but the woman I sleep with is...

 The area had vehicles coming and going all night but for those of you who know me,  I can sleep through  anything... Matt not so unfortunately and he got a broken sleep due to the noise of cars driving up and down...

Next morning we had to be at the Port to get on the ferry for 7am boarding and we set sail eventually at 9.20am;  we had a long journey; the ferry docks at 6pm but we managed to find some bench seats and we had a lovely sleep after lunch for a few hours.  

We have had an absolutely fab Xmas in the home of our pals Sarah and Dom who live in a great part of Tasmania named Ables Bay;  they have a jetty 2 mins across the road from them and the scenery and clean air did Matt and I a power of good. 

Before our Xmas main meal, we all jumped in Adrian's the neighbour's tinny boat and went fishing! (see photos below).  There was a cold wind blowing and we rugged up with jumpers on and set out.  We caught a few fish and after a few hours headed back to shore to cook up  our catch.  Sarah got a great side of organic beef from a local producer which was superb...

It all went very well with the wines we brought from the Margaret River area of W.A and the Barossa Valley of S.A...  

Later in the night the neighbour Adrian asked us over for a few bevvies and he had the bonfire blazing away, so how could we refuse? We had a great time and for all those worried about the state of my liver I was very good and only had 3 drinks (red wine) with water in between;  those who know me will know I am a cheap drunk...

Boxing day saw us trying to walk off the Xmas day lunch by walking up to Egg & Bacon Bay, (I swear I am not making this name up!) with Sarah and Dom;  fantastic scenery and the wind was still cold but the sun was out.  

On Mon 27th Matt and I headed into Hobart to the movies;  happily it was a public holiday and we had no trouble parking the van in town and walking to the Village Cinema Complex.  We saw 'Tron 2' in 3D which I have to tell you was fantastic;  Not cheap though, $19.00 each plus $1 for the 3D glasses, but very enjoyable; good acting too and Jeff Bridges (who was in the original 'Tron' in 1981 I think it was) reprises his role as Flynn again.  Its get 4 start outta 5.

The next day Matt went up with Dom to the house being built on their land, and helped out;  Sarah and I made lunch for them, and did a few little tasks around the site, but on coming back to Abels Bay, and it being a sunny day, I had a weird desire to go FISHING.   So, I grabbed our rod, and some bait and sat on the end of the jetty hoping for a bite;  Sarah joined me for a bit, and I wish I could say I caught a massive flathead, but no!  Nothing, Nada, zero;  after  2 hrs I gave up and came home...  But it was very relaxing and I do now 'get it' why people love fishing...

Its Thurs 30th now and Matt is just packing our things back into the van, as we are off tomorrow morning to fly to Melbourne to attend a massive dance party at the Docklands Stadium;  Armin Van Buuren (Dutch Trance DJ) is doing a 6 hour set which should be massive. 

We are hoping to park in the van tonight near the airport at Hobart,  park tomorrow in the long term car park and jump on the plane;  we are back in Hobart on 3.01.11, and will come back to Sarah and Dom's place before we go on our travels around Tassie, and I will give you a run down on our NYE festivities then... Should be good, I just think the party dress I bought along to wear may be a bit tight after all the booze and good food, but we shall see...

Have a safe and happy new year everyone;   Louise and Matt  XXX

At Geelong Waterfront; Matt with the lifesavers; 21.12.10

Louise with bus conductor Geelong waterfront;  21.12.10

Matt at Port Melbourne, awaiting us to get on board the Tassie Ferry behind him; 8am 22.12.10

My good pal Sarah at the wharf near her house, xmas day 25.12.10 2pm; she was feeding the local resident duck named Henry, Matt in background, setting up the fishing rods, we

were about to set out in the tinny boat to do a spot of fishing, with Sarah's husband Dom as well...

Here is Dom, who got bragging rights that day; he just keep reeling them in!  

It was a bit cold hence us all in jumpers;  (16c)  25.12.10

The catch of the day; lovely parrot fish, and some flathead too; I caught some squid,

but it was too small so we tossed it back;  25.12.10

And here we are later on Xmas day enjoying our catch of the day, plus a fantastic organic side of 

beef from the local producer; we washed it down with a Pinot Noir we bought 

in the Barossa Valley in SA months ago;  it was worth the wait!  Xmas day 25.12.10

Here is yours truly with Sarah and Dom Xmas day, just about to start on my second glass

of that lovely Pinot Noir.   25.12.10

Boxing Day 26.12.10 at the neighbour Adrian's place, Matt pretending to be a gee-tar player...

Here is Adrian, with Matt, in front of the bonfire, the doggie Chisel on the left.  26.12.10

This is Adrian's dog 'Chisel' who is the best and friendliest doggie in the whole world; here on

the grass, awaiting Adrian coming back from checking his lobster pots;  25.12.10; There is also a cat

named Mr Tiggy (a tabby) who belongs to Adrian, and he is the nicest cat you could ever meet...

happy new year to all;  love louise & matt