Arrived at my brothers at about 4pm, and a bit overwhelming for my brother Sam. He gets a bit over excited and emotional at these reunions. We had a lovely evening catching up, laughing, drinking and eating good food.
Elaine and I spent our first day in Mount Martha, which was gorgeous and sunny, visiting the local village to get some supplies and then taking a walk to local beach called Birdrock, very peaceful, calm water for swimming, and plenty of space to lay down your towel.
I went with Sam to his local golf course for a quick 9 holes on day 2, my first swing for 2 and a half months. Then went for a drive to a place called Flinders which was great. In the afternoon Elaine and I took off to meet up with an old mate of mine Biff, before having a little reunion with some old mates at Hermie Kat’s place in Chelsea. Nice fun evening, plenty of beers and wine, and chat about all sorts of things.
Day 4 in Melbourne and we took a drive to Port Nepean which is the furthest point east on Port Philip bay. Drove through some very expensive holiday resort towns Sorrento and Portsea, with some incredible properties.
At the end of the drive there is a National Park, which is well worth a visit for lovely walks, beaches and interesting historical buildings that used to be associated with the quarantine and hospitalisation of incoming immigrants in the 1850’s. In more recent times it became an army barracks.
Day 6 in Melbourne and Elaine and I took a drive down to Port Nepean again, this time visiting the furthest point, which was once a fort. Also this is where the bay meets the ocean, so got great views of the notoriously dangerous stretch of water called Bass strait and the massive rip at the start of the bay. Also interesting historical buildings as well as fantastic views of the ocean on one side and the bay on the other.
Day 11 in Melbourne and the Christmas festivities are largely over, so after a few quiet days we headed out today to Arthurs seat and enjoyed the views from the cable car. Then a good old friend Adam came over with his girlfriend in the afternoon, so we had a good catch up at the Dava Hotel.
Day 13 in Melbourne, Elaine and I drove down to Sorrento and took a lovely beach trail walk along the coast to a great little beach called Diamond bay.
In the evening for new years eve we all took a BBQ up to Mount Martha golf club, where you have great views across the bay to Melbourne city. Had some great food and a few drinks and watched the city fireworks across the bay at 9.30pm. Then headed home and saw the new year in in front of the TV.
Day 15 in Melbourne and I went off to play golf early with Sam and a few of my old mates at a course called Devils Bend. Really nice course and weather perfect, shame I didn’t hit it too well, but we had good fun, and great to catch up with old faces.
Elaine and I then went for a little drive into Mornington and walked round the harbour and pier, pretty little walk and finished with a beer at a pub called Kirkpatricks, with a lovely sea view.
Day 22 in Melbourne and we set off to visit some old friends, Glenn and Wendy Davis in Parkdale, after enjoying a lovely little session on Mount Martha beach. Spent a great couple of days with these lovely friends, and even though we haven’t caught up properly for 10 years it just felt like yesterday when we were together.
