Sat, 13th June, 2015 Joc & John’s driveway, Mt Eliza (Bushranger Bay walk)

8 degrees at 8am this morning. Sun shining with a few clouds around. Roz and Jim picked us up at 11am and we headed across the peninsula through Red Hill. Stopped at the lookout over Mushroom Reef. The sea is so flat which is rare. A beautiful day and getting warmer. Glad we left the thermals off today. Looking back to West Head.

Zoomed in on Seal Rocks which are off the end of Phillip Island.

Roz and Jim are amazed at the weather too, usually it is huge surf. The waves aren’t too good for surfers though.

This area is known as Mushroom Reef and is a marine sanctuary.

Roz takes amazing photos on her phone then changes filters, adds borders etc.

Looking along the cliffs.

West Head is a military area.

Of course there is a golf course right beside the beach.

As we were heading out of the carpark about 10 historic Morgans came in.

Drove down to the beach and looked across Mushroom Reef. There is a lot more for us to explore in the Peninsula.

Into Flinders for lunch at the bakery with a historical background. Janet drove down from Smiths Gully and joined us for lunch which was wonderful. So great to be able to spend time with them.

Drove along Boneo Road to the Two Bays Walking Track carpark which is a 26km walk from Dromana on Port Phillip is to Cape Schanck via Bushrangers Bay. Halfway across the Peninsula the track goes through Green’s Bush and then down a narrow corridor to Cape Schanck. We are only doing the shorter part (2.4km) down to the Bay. Great views along the way.

Looking down on Bushranger Bay and Elephant Rock. Jim said the Bay got its name from some convicts that rowed across from Tasmania and hid out here.

Loved this poor lonely tree.

Steve got a great photo of the three of us along the track.

 Then Roz put on the border etc.

Down onto the beach – Elephant Rock.

Then along the other way to Cape Schanck which has a lighthouse on it. Jim said the walk to it is quite up and down. You can walk from here all the way down the west side of the Peninsula to London Bridge then down to the end at Point Nepean – I don’t think I could talk Steve into that!!

We had to jump the creek – Roz’s turn.

Love watching the waves crash onto the platform rocks.

Heaps of kelp has been washed up.

Walked out to Elephant Rock and checked out all the lovely rock pools. Have to keep and eye on the water as the tide is coming in.

 

  

This one would be great for a dip!!

Zoomed in on the lighthouse at Cape Schanck and the pillar of rock out the front of it.

Great rock formations.

Steve was checking out the quartz veins for any sign of gold.

This one was a hole going up into the rock.

I found a beautiful abalone shell but left it behind has I have heaps.

Snapped away as Roz and the other checked out her photos that she was putting different filters on the photos she has taken.

Jim was the ‘selfie stick’ and got a great photo of all of us.

A hawk high up on the hill looking out for something to eat.

Some people have climbed up Elephant Rock.

John and Joc have a wonderful calendar that has some great clouds photos. I reckon I got a good one here.

The two sisters having a laugh.

Back across the creek.

We had a good laugh watching my cousins Janet and Roz get back across the creek.

Looks like we are in a mystical forest – actually it is a narrow big of bushland with cleared grazing paddocks on each side.

Lots of Eastern Greys right beside the track.

Said bye to Janet but we will see her tomorrow as we are going to her beach house at Sorrento for lunch. Headed back to Mt Eliza as the sun is starting to set.

Roz & Jim joined us for a drink and nibbles with Joc & John before heading off. Was a great day out walking and chatting.

Lovely dinner again. Nice and warm in the house. Steve put the heater on in the van before dinner so it was lovely to go back to.