Torquay

We were staring a 45klm journey in the face today and boy were we intimidated. Particularly when we were packed up and driving out at 8:00am.

We wanted a Lorne sticker for the boy's scrapbook (we get one every at every stop) but nobody here starts work before 9am, so we ventured over to the pier by the 115 year old pub on the point.

Short by the standard of many we have seen, it really was a nice stroll out there. When I ran out here yesterday (Fathers Day) there was well over 100 people, this morning - 2. Perfect weather, not a breath of wind nor a cloud to be seen which created a perfect lasting impression of this quaint little town.

The 2 persons were fishermen, Zander has this thing about always going and quizzing them about what they are catching and looking in their buckets....which doubles as a good excuse for me to start a conversation. South African guys, very friendly and accommodating to Zander's demands. I told them I would be going back to the Gold Coast and telling everyone that Lorne is picture perfect and like this every day...... Laughingly, their response was that we got the best day in 200 and they never get a chance for it to be beautiful one day and perfect the next, (like we apparently enjoy in sunny QLD....) plus the fish weren't on the "chew" so they were just enjoying the sun while they could!!!!

And why not, it was 10 degrees and in he sun it felt like 25.

Mavvy puts the fear of god into us very time there is a jetty or pier, he just loves to get up close to the edge. He essentially walked not on top of but on the railing the whole way out with Mum in toe. If it needs to be climbed he will climb it, if you can jump off of it he will jump off it, & if it's light enough to throw it, he will definitely throw it!!!! He is a funny little bugger...

Just west of Torquay was the legendary Bells Beach. Nat & I both have been eager to get here after having it described to us by our parents.  My Mum's family had a beach house in Torquay when they were little so apart from watching the Rip Curl Pro on TV, I always had that affiliation through her descriptions of her childhood holidays.

Nat's Dad used to pull all nighters with his mates from Christies Beach in Adelaide to surf it on weekends. The stories tell of cheeky free caravan park sites by arriving late and going early, but it was all about Bells.

It was amazing being there. The weather remained the same all the way from Lorne so again, brilliant. We are not surfing people but appreciate anything ocean.

Much like Pipeline, Waimea Bay & Margaret River, there is something special about standing on these sacred sands. The boys are too young to appreciate it but in time the photos of them here will please them no end, at least until they get here for themselves.

Into Torquay and we found a park right on the beach. A superbly positioned cafe right on the point invited us for coffees and milkshakes after the boys and I tried gallantly to lose the Sherrin down the hill into the ocean at high tide. Geez they make us laugh.

After promising the boys some playground time we once again filled in an hour at another good example of one, then we decided to go for a run (shuffle) along the esplanade.

As per usual where possible, Zander rides alongside me while Mav does similar with Mum walking...(until he blows up) and this works well. Some of the things that go through 5 year olds minds amaze me. In the space of 50m, here is a part conversation I had with Z during my run. To set the scene, two ladies pushing babies in prams passed us moving in the other direction & I get this:- "Daddy, people must be sad if they don't have kids"

"Possibly mate, but some people choose not to or can't have kids"

"Why?"

"Because" (too deep for me with the heart rate as it was) "That must make them sad Daddy. You know that I know lots of stuff Daddy...."

"Is that right mate, like what?"

"I know whats going on Daddy"

"Oh really, what's going on little Mann?"

"Uummm, we're riding???"

"You are one switched on little rooster my Mann, but I'm running" 

"You have a cute little bum Daddy" (obviously repeating what Mum says to the boys from time to time) "Not sure you can decipher between little and big yet dude"

"Where's Mavvy Daddy?"

Pure gold, we can't wait for them to read this when they are adults.

Torquay, great spot, here for two days, over and out.

Jase