Normally I would have filled up the fridge and cupboards so I can just relax on arrival and not worry about shopping, but this time, for some reason , I just could not get the brain to work properly. Oh well looks like I will be shopping after we have set up.
This trip we decided to travel through Castlemaine, Daylesford and Ballan, rather than Gisborne and Bacchus Marsh.
Castlemaine has quite a selection of wonderful old buildings and public parks with tall and proud trees. The streets around the shopping strip are quite busy so if you are driving through you would struggle to pull up with your caravan attached , but there are a few cafes situated away from the main shopping area if you are looking for a drink. There is a designated long parking bay just off the main street in Forest street near the public toilets. Now I must admit that I do not know what the time limit is. But if you remain on the main street and continue a little further on under the old brick railway bridge there is plenty of room to pull up in Campbells Creek ,across the road from the public toilets. You could really make this quite a relaxed trip with many stops along the way. Guildford is now home to a very popular café , no parking stress in this town. I love these small towns who have a booming café culture. So great for us travellers who just want a break from driving and a hot cuppa .
The scenery is typical of this region of Victoria during the hot summer months; farms , livestock and dry grass.
Continuing on down the hill through the main street of Daylesford there is a B.P service station if you are after fuel . Also toilets inside for the customers.
But if you are after a relaxing place to pull up for a break and stretch the legs , then Upper Stony Creek Reservoir No. 2 will fill the bill. It is nicely placed in the Brisbane ranges with a large area for parking , and we have always found the long drop toilets are clean and well maintained. Not a bad place to relax before you hit the traffic of Geelong or head down the Great Ocean Road.
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Upper Stony Creek Reservoir in the Brisbane Ranges is a great place to have a quick stop
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Our trip through Geelong and out to the Bellarine Peninsula is uneventful and it is always a sense of excitement to arrive at Bellarine Bayside Caravan Park at Portarlington. All the staff are so friendly and welcoming. Quite often the ground staff will pop around for a chat while they are going about their daily routine.
www.bellarinebayside.com.au
The beach is a welcome sight as the weather is warm and sticky.
It does not take long to set up all our bits and pieces. This time we have added some new equipment. We have new chairs from Anaconda and a new table to use outside, which we purchased from the Caravan and Camping show. Comfy chairs has been something that I have really struggled with finding, so I hope these suit our purpose. One of our biggest and most useful additions has been a fibreglass canopy on the ute. It has been a necessity for our work , so this trip all the work tools remained , secured in place.
The Bellarine Peninsula has been a place that we have visited often, over many years. But in the early years it was only ever a day trip, occasionally we booked a holiday house ,shared with other family. These days, with little Roma, we now have time to explore the shops and markets ,or just sit and watch the waves rolling in.
Portarlington Woolworths was a must for our grocery shopping or our meals would be non existent. Meat and salad items were purchased as a barbecue with my sister and niece were organised for that night. It was so peaceful sitting and chatting whilst enjoying a wine and looking out at the bay. The sounds of Christmas carols resonating along the beach enticed us to go for a walk and find the source of this joyful Christmas music. The park was full of happy kids and relaxed families all just enjoying the Christmas atmosphere. It was so special to be part of this community occasion, happy smiling people all ready to have a chat and spread Christmas wishes.
The Bellarine Peninsula has a plethora of picnic spots, some busy and others quiet and secluded. My sister chose a lovely park along Lower Bluff Road near St Leonards ; a place where we could enjoy a picnic lunch while watching sail boats contend with the waves.
A stroll around the Drysdale market was a lovely way to begin a Sunday. There is such a wide variety of handmade products to purchase . So the last minute Christmas presents were easily found. Or maybe grab a coffee and sit and listen to some peaceful music. Pan pipes were resonating through the park while we wandered around.
Queenscliff was the town of choice for lunch , which included a meet up with our fellow caravanning family. It is always worthwhile to hear hints and ideas from long time travellers as everyone benefits from shared information.
The General store supplied great food and friendly staff, and we were lucky enough to grab a table in a separate section of the café. We were trying to organise a group caravanning trip but unfortunately the timing of said trip did not suit us, as we had already pencilled in a trip with other friends.
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| There are plenty of pelicans at the boat ramp, all waiting for the returning fishermen |
Three nights away is never enough as you just begin to de-stress and then it is time to hitch up and head home again. Usually we start to pack up the night before we leave but this time we were slightly different.We decided to head in to Geelong and check out their "Floating Christmas tree ". How wonderful it was, and how surprising to see all the families sitting around and enjoying the Sunday evening weather, while singing along to the carols.
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| The Geelong waterfront is so pretty |
Well Monday morning saw us packing up our little Roma to head back north and finish off the last minute work, before sitting down and enjoying all the Christmas festivities.
My Christmas wish to you all is that health, happiness, love and laughter follows you into 2018.
And for those with young families who are camping away from home, May Santa find all those precious young children and make their Christmas morning memorable.
Merry Christmas my fellow caravanners and campers
🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄
