Day 2. Around Phillip Island

Day 2

A local Tip Turkey came to visit at the resort.

The day started a little grey with a scotch mist.  It made the ground damp and the humidity high.  The plan was for a leisurely day today, lovely late start and a list of possible places to visit. A drive around the original Grand Prix Track (gravel then of course, now sealed), the current race circuit, unfortunately we missed out on a drive around the course as it was booked for a private corporate day and so a visit to the motor sport museum was the next best option. This was followed by a drive up to the Nobbies and the very scenic drive along the cliffs.

Andrew enjoys the view along the Phillip Island coast

The Koala Conservation area was next on the list. This was very educational the great work is being done to preserve the Koala population on the Island. At one time these native animal were nearly wiped out by a Chlamydea outbreak but with careful breeding and care they are now slowly recovering.

Koala enjoying lunch

and a bit of a stretch

The wetlands are unusually dry .....sadly following a lot of Australia at the moment

Another resident of the Koala Reserve

Koala and Maritta

Whoops, nearly missed it

Then we visited Churchill Island, a historic homestead which is still operating as a farm using mainly traditional methods. An enormous Norfolk Island pine stands in the forecourt of the Homestead, planted in the late 1800’s.

 

Maritta, Lesley and new friend

I think its a bird but its a bit hard to tell it's so fluffy.

Local Peacock didn't care how close you got, this was his seat and no-one else could have it. He was just starting to get the beautiful tail plumage.

Whip cracking soon moved the ducks and geese from the lawn

A little car fettling took place in the afternoon ready for tomorrows trip to Lakes Entrance.

Dinner this evening was a healthy serving of local Fish and Chips on the lawn of the motel followed by a bus trip out to see the “Little” Penguin Parade the island is famous for.

One of the Resort' feathered residents, Cape Barn Goose.

Dinner on the Resort Lawn

On the bus heading to the Penguin Parade

Little Penguins off to their burrows (photo compliments of the Penguin Parade as photography is not allowed without special permission).

Day 1. 20/3/2019. Wandin to San Remo (Phillip Island)

Day 1
Stress has got to an excessive level for the organising committee .... for a variety of reasons but we know its too late now, its all go starting today.

A video from the "unoficial" start in Ivanhoe can be found here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TafJRv4OV54&feature=youtu.be

(there may be one from Wandin, stay tuned)

After a couple of crew changes in some cars, the main convoy left Ivanhoe. After a few false starts we all made it to the Official start point in Wandin North. Some came from other directions but we all arrived safely.

At the start in Wandin

After a struggle with the official banner, we eventually made it out of the park and started on our way. Thanks to a number of members who came along to wave us off. Special mention must be made concerning Chris Higgins who bought his 12/50 all the way from the Mornington Peninsula just so he could wave us off.

Note...We had planned an extensive video of the start but the cameraman (me) put it on photo mode instead of video, anyway there is a little video here and we will provide a link to a better one soon)

Struggling with the official banner...Ernest and Richard

The eagle points the way through the forest just out of Noojee.

The route took us first in a easterly direction to Yarra Junction, then south via Noojee (where some took the tourist route before finding the correct road) and Neerum South to Jindivick for lunch at Laurie Collins Sculpture Gardens and Gallery. An excellent lunch was delivered by the Jindi Café and Laurie entertained us with stories about his life and then a demonstration of his plasma cutter (He is now an expert in making ALVIS triangle.

Trestle Bridge near Noojee.

The Eagle sits amongst the sculptures in Jindivick.

Pat and Michael in the 12/50

David and Kay in the Speed 20

Alvi at sculpture gardens

Laurie Collins regaled us on past and present projects

From the Sculpture Gardens we continued south and then a little west to eventually reach our destination at Silverwater Resort, San Remo. Some took a slightly more scenic route than others (including the organising scribe) when it was discovered that word had ”stolen” a left turn from the route notes.  It is pleasing to note that everyone made it safely ...eventually ... and a little gentle ribbing of the scribe, and rightly so, due to the missing left turn.

Pre Down Under Tour get together

A number of international and interstate participants have arrived for the tour so the organising committee decided to hold a small get together before the event starts on Wednesday.