Sat, 20th Jan, 2024 Bush camp near Ocean Beach, Rye to Carpark near Janet and Geoff’s place, Sorrento, Vic (visit Uncle John and family, Mt Eliza)

Overcast this morning. Can’t believe how many people drove in and out during the night - maybe it’s a drug drop off - should have done some surveillance!

Back to the Point Nepean Highway and followed it northward along the coast to see my Uncle John and all the Beal family. John’s wife, (my Dad’s sister) Jocelyn passed away June 2020 so John is the only elder member of Dad’s family left and he will be 96 in March, hence I wanted to catch up with him.

Slow drive 40-50kph sections but we were in no rush and we could enjoy the scenery better.

Choppy water across to Mt Martha as we near Dromana.

Calmer as we go through Safety Beach as it is protected by Mt Martha though looking at that tree I am wondering about how much wind they get! Mt Martha is covered in houses.

Through a tunnel that has a water channel above it to feed into a canal estate.

Continued along Marine Parade around Mt Martha, trying not to hit the cyclists who insist on riding along narrow roads with no bicycle lanes. When there is a lane they ride on the white line so we still have to veer into the other lane to avoid them.

Nice view over the bay and all the beach huts - much calmer this side.

Lots of people on the water in boats, paddle boards etc.

Stopped at Mt Martha Beach South. I remembered all these beach huts from when we stopped here in Nov 2014. Looking back to where we drove around on the high cliff edge then to the other end of the beach.

Continued along the Esplanade - more cyclists having a death wish.

Into Mornington, around the park with big brick entrances and then down to Schnapper Point. We also came here so won’t stop again as it is all metered parking now. Drove down to the wharf and back up again - busy with the weekend cafe brigade.

Back up then Steve pulled over at the top so I could take a few of photos from the lookout. I can just see the city through the haze.

Continued along then pulled over for a cuppa at the lookout over Mills Beach. Very nice.

Across the road a house, named ‘Manoora’, has just sold but there is no price - I can just imagine how much! 

Nearby is an historic house called ‘Coombe Martin’. Renovations started in May 2022 and it looks amazing, though a bit too much red for me. It was built in 1939 by an engineer & industrialist, Charles Ruwolt and his wife Emily.

I like the first one but the old one is quaint. Not keen on the ultra modern stuff.

Further along then across to the Point Nepean Highway again. Past some wineries - one was called Underground but I don’t think it is actually under the ground!

Turned off the highway to Uncle John’s place in Mt Eliza. Parked in front of the old tennis court and gave him a ring as we were a bit early. He came out and to inspect the engine as he has rung us many times to hear how the build was going etc. He is always keen to hear about our travels too.

Back inside and we chatted away for an hour or so till Janet and Geoff arrived. Roz and Jimmy arrived after that and then Simon and Sue. Sadly Roger couldn’t make it down today. So lovely to have my cousins take time out of their busy lives to visit us (Simon, Roz & Janet). The others came out to inspect the engine and I showed them the camper.

Janet turned on some Christmas lights that were still hanging saying it was Christmas lunch again. They all brought something and we had a delicious lunch with bubbles and lots of chatter. When we stayed previously John would call down ‘Bubbles in the boardroom at 6pm’ - he is so much fun and still driving at 95, wow. Too much chatting that I forgot to get a family photo.

Said our farewells and headed south again as Janet and Geoff are staying at the house in Sorrento tonight so we will join them but just park in the car park nearby. Passed the McCrae Lighthouse then I spotted some interesting sculptures. The sky got brighter the further we went.

Parked in an open car park near the toilet block then walked up the road to the next car park overlooking Koonya Ocean Beach. We wandered around here with Roz, Jimmy and Janet on our next visit in 2015.

Followed the path down. A chap was lugging up an esky - it was steeper than it looks.

The two points are: Spray Point to the left and Dogs Head to the right. No name for the bit sticking out in the middle!

Watched the waves roll in over the rocky platforms - you can see the kelp come up into the clear wave.

You can look across to the bay from here.

Back to the camper.

Grabbed our drinks and walked down to join Janet and Geoff for dinner - BBQ lamb and more chatting - we never run out of something to talk about. We are having another boat ride in the morning from Sorrento to Queenscliff rather than driving all the way back up and around to Geelong. Janet and Geoff will come down to wave us off.

Back to the camper - put up the roof and got our bag ready for going on the Spirit tomorrow then into bed. No one else about and we are tucked well back. We can hear a bit of road noise from the main road but otherwise it is very quiet.