Rest, relaxation, achievment and sadness, All on our short break.

Sometimes it is important to say "enough" and take a few days rest and relaxation.
The caravan park that we tend to head to for a short stay is the Bellarine Bayside at Portarlington, which is only a three hour drive away.

                                 www.bellarinebayside.com.au

                              

This time we did not arrive until late afternoon as hubby had to spend the morning finishing off a couple of jobs. But set up does not take long as we both pitch in and work together so relaxation time can begin quickly.

We have been travelling down to the Geelong and  Bellarine area for many years and always commented on the You Yangs, as we scoot past.

                                 www.visitgeelongbellarine.com.au

                    

But this time we decided that we must visit these imposing hills.
So on Wednesday it was the bush , rather than the beach.
The You Yangs is about an hour away , through Geelong and along the Melbourne bound freeway  to the Lara turn off . From Lara it is well signposted .
We drove up to the top carpark to begin our walk up Flinders Peak.
There are clean "drop toilets" in this carpark and the only ones at this level and above.
You will need strong footwear, plenty of water and I carry a hiking stick in the van, and I really needed it on the walk to the top. The path consists of many granite steps and often ,slippery gravel. In summer I would think there would be plenty of snakes around.
But once you reach the top, the view is amazing.
I was so pleased that I persevered as I had a real sense of achievement . 

                    

Sadly later that day we received news that a long time friend had been taken by cancer. Maybe it was her encouraging me ( yep I am not overly fit )  to keep walking up that hill.
So our evening was spent in sadness and reflection.

No we did not cut our time short, as we were only three hours from home , and we also knew that we would be back home anyway before any arrangements took place.
Our few days away became a bit quieter and a little bit slower. Certainly not as much enthusiasm to explore places around the peninsula.
But we will get away again, hopefully before Christmas , but more than likely only for a  few nights.

Point Lonsdale watching the cargo ships enter Port Phillip bay

But when their is some form of illness or sadly a death at your home base , what do other travellers do.
Do you have a contingency plan if something happens to a family member or close friend.
Do we all need to have an emergency bank account for funds to return home.
I knew  of one couple who were in northern Australia when they received news that they were needed back in Victoria. They placed their caravan in storage and flew back home for a few weeks.

It probably is a conversation that people do not want to have but perhaps we should.

Caravanning, or in fact  any holidaying away from home , can bring about a range of problems or dilemmas to deal with. And as long as we are comfortable with the way we deal with them, then that is all that matters. And we need to realise that we  all manage  personal problems in a different way to the next person.
                                       Travel safely everyone and enjoy life.

Point Lonsdale pier

Clifton Springs