Thurs, 13th Nov, 2014 Mt Eliza to Poowong Camping Area

Warmer morning, weather forecast said it will get to 34 degrees today. Start packing up – did the sheets, blankets and towels in the big washing machine. John and I headed to the shops for some groceries while Steve washed the truck and the van – I got the easy job!!

Coffee in the meeting room – John’s lounge. We then headed off to get oil from Supa Cheap as the truck needs a service. John and Joc took us for a scenic drive. This is an original beach shack area that has slowly lost all its old shacks to modern buildings.

This is a lovely area that they go swimming at. He said they were too busy to have bought a little beach change hut – what a shame as they are worth a lot now.

Passed Moondai which was to be a 5 star resort that was owned by Sir Reginald Ansett (Ansett Airlines). Grand entrance but the resort didn’t work out.

It is a big property and his home it in the middle. The new owner who owns retirement homes in Mornington was trying to get it subdivided so that each of his family can have a block but the Council is blocking him.

Across the bay is the Mornington Golf Club where we are having lunch and on the next point is the Mornington Yacht Club and Schnapper Point that we walked up the other day (note the big monument in the middle to Flinders.) 

At the Golf Club that opened in 1904. 

Looking back to Ansett’s property and I zoomed in for a better shot of the house.

Lovely lunch to finish a great week with Jocelyn and John. Has been so good to spend time with them. 

Back to the van and hooked up. Final farewells, will ring them before we head over to Tassie. Down the road heading to Phillip Island. Great view as we head off Mt Eliza itself. 

Passed a big Dolphin Fish at Tooradin Village. 

Turned off the South Gippsland Highway to Poowong to a free camp by the Bass River. Not a big river but it has deep sides but is very narrow. Nice open area but we parked away from the trees as there are a lot of branches and trees down. 

Our ding ding birds are back – got one to sit still long enough for a back and front photo – we had looked up the “What Bird is That” book at John’s and is a Crimson Rosella. The Magpies are feeding their babies and the kookaburras are having a laugh with lots of other birds singing so it is a lovely place to just sit and enjoy the sounds while I type my blog. 

Rang Mum and Dad – great to have another good chat. Mrs Hogbin passed away, she was our Teacher Librarian at Cairns West Primary School and she was great. A lot warmer tonight 28 degrees.