Wednesday, February 23, 2011

And then there were three................

Lenora, Linda and I hit the tourist trail today............visiting some of the sights along the Great Ocean Road.......here are my tour guides working out the next port of call........(or the amount of fabric needed for the next quilt......)


I think one of my favourite places we visited today was the Grotto......



...the power of the sea is just magnificent to watch......and this coastline has some fantastic views....and some tragic stories.......of ship wrecks and lives lost in the swirling waters.....a cemetary on top of a wind swept clifftop a stark reminder of such a tragedy.....the loss of the vessel Loch Ard...................


Gone are the days of pulling off the side of the road and checking out the Twelve (now a few less than twelve) Apostles.......these days there is a huge carpark along with kiosk...an underpass/walkway under the road.......helicopters on standby for those wanting to see the coastline from the air.....and LOTS of people......not sure if you can see that the ridgeline below is quite heavily populated.......
.

 A pic of part of the carpark and hovering helicopter....


A few shots of some of the places we stopped in to visit today......







Vegetation clinging tenuously to life on the cliffs.......






We stopped for lunch in Port Campbell....well worth another look on another day.......then drove inland to Linda's patchwork shop....it doesn't normally open on Tuesdays...but we had a special "command performance"..... great shop (and lovely owner!)




Thanks Linda!

Couldn't miss this  photo opportunity on the way home........didn't stop for a drink though.......


 to my tour guides ......thank you.....it was a fantastic day!!


Gratitudes......Friends.........good times........holidays!

'Til next time...............Lorraine

20 comments:

Nancy said...

OMG...those photos are Amazing!! Such scenery!! I really want to come now !!

AnnieO said...

Thanks for sharing the great tour photos! I remember reading that an apostle has fallen, but I thought it was only one. It's so good to get outdoors and in the wide open! Add friends, fabric and food, couldn't be better :)

Chookyblue...... said...

what a gorgeous spot..........I would love to do the twelve apostles........a wonderful day out with the girls by the look of it......so pretty.......
nice shop.........

Shay said...

I love to be reminded of what a beautiful country we live in. Your pictures are wonderful.

I will admit to a tiny teeeny stab of jealousy that you got to spend time in that quilt shop. It looks so gorgeous. I always wanted to like in a renovated church...

Sounds like lots of fun is being had Princess Loz.

Pip said...

Stunning scenery, I hope it wasn't too cold there. Lucky you, having the quilt shop all to yourselves, it looks like a good one, did you buy much?

Leanne said...

Great snaps Loz We haven't been along the GOR but now I will have to put it on the agenda. It looks so fantastic and a quilt shop to boot life couldn't get much better.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Piccie's Thelma..we haven't been along the GOR since about 1983..boy it has changed..can't believe that carpark...
Glad you are having a Great Time with Friends...
what's Next?
safe driving
cheers

Sue said...

Fantastic photos Loz!!! Sounds and looks like a great adventure & how lucky are you to meet Lenora and Linda. I hope you got some gorgeous goodies from Linda's shop .... looks like a great place to visit!!!!! Enjoy!! Cheers S x

Lynda said...

Spectacular part of Aus and a wonderful day out for you and your friends. John and I rode along there on his old Suzuki in early 1978 - all the Apostles were standing at that time and there were no helicopters.

Sheryl said...

Beautiful photos... we have driven along the GOR but it was wet and miserable so we didn't get out of the car, will have to visit there again...
How nice to catch up with Lenora and Linda, gorgeous shop too... lots of goodies there...

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Oh Loz what wonderful photos, sound like you are having a fab time...

Pat said...

Absolutely beautiful photos. Thanks so much or sharing them. I want to come for a visit!

Linda said...

Hey Lorraine, I had a ball yesterday....absolutely exhausted last night.....must have been all the walking and talking! Nice photo too of Lenora and I. Can't wait for tonight. See you soon. Linda :)

Katie said...

Spectacular views! Wow.

FlourishingPalms said...

Thanks for the lovely revisit along the Great Ocean Road. Looks like you had somewhat of an overcast day. We were there in warm, blessed sunshine that was simply awesome. I did all the driving and sure appreciated the many reminders outside the carparks that told me I was in Aus and to stay on the left side of the road! Whenever I need to go to a "happy place," I close my eyes and stand on the walkway looking out across the Apostles. Glorious! Wish I'd had a tour guide too. I didn't know about Linda's patchwork shop... you lucky girl you.

Anita said...

Great pics! I loved visiting down there a few years ago, would love to go back and spend more time.
Looks like you've had a great time together with friends!

Anne said...

Fabulous pictures. Mother Nature at her best!

Chocolate Cat said...

Oh those photos!!! I love that area. Can't believe how 'big' the aposotles area has got, obviously haven't been down there for a long long time. I was obsessed with Loch Ard and the shipwreck in primary school. I am itching for a Sunday drive now..... Where is Linda's patchwork shop?????????

Lounging with a Latte said...

Good on you for taking off on a road trip...the pictures are beautiful. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos Loz... it is amazing... and I want a quilt shop just like that near me!! SO CUTE!