A Winter's Wednesday ...

Hello again, Friends.

Since I last posted, the Aussies lost their second round game against Italy in the World Cup ... booo !! (Look, I'm not really a bad sport, I just feel it was a very bad call ... enough said !!)

Chicky, Hubby and I decided to go for a day-trip drive on Tuesday (yesterday). We went around Port Philip Bay toward Portsea ... we hadn't been out this way for years, and felt that seeing as how Hubby had the day off, we should do something together, as a family. Turns out the weather was pretty yuck !! It started off a sunny day, but predictably, as we set off, it began clouding over. Oh well, it was a day out, we would make the best of it !!

It was only about an hour's drive from home ... not far, but far enough to get away !! The traffic was light (it was the middle of a week-day, not the weekend, so not many were heading that way !!). We took the freeway, and the highway ... the quick way ... and thought that we would take the coast road on the way home !!

On arriving at Portsea, we were amazed at how it had changed ... there are now so many new buildings ... it certainly looks like many very well-off people live, or holiday down there ... you should see the size of some of the houses (shame I forgot to photograph the ones I really liked !!).

We went exploring down some side roads, and came across a natural rock formation called London Bridge. It is really pretty, and with the sea being so rough, due to the windy winter weather, the water gushing though the hole through it was spectacular (unfortunately I didn't catch the waves at the right time, but this picture should give you a general idea !!).

Next we went over to the ocean beach ... the views were amazing. The air was almost foggy looking, with the ocean spray being blown around ... it was really beautiful.

I must explain where Portsea is ... Melbourne is at the top end of a bay, which is sort of circular (well, not really, but I have a vivid imagination !), with an opening almost opposite where Melbourne is. On the right of the opening (when looking at a map) is Portsea and Point Nepean, on the left is Queenscliff and the Bellarine Penninsula. Anyway, Portsea has both bay beaches and ocean (surf) beaches ... it is a really beautiful place. We used to go there alot in our younger days ... pre marriage, mortgages and kids ... when we were all single and hanging out with our friends, with no responsibilities.

We drove around a little bit, exploring. Unfortunately, it was too cold and windy to walk along the beach ... we tried, and our noses felt like little icicles, and the wind just blew right through us. It was very, very cold ... more so than at home, I think !!

We stopped in Sorrento for lunch. We had Pizza and Pasta at La Porchetta. La Porchetta's is a restaurant chain, found all over Australia (I think). We had never eaten at any of their restaurants, and though it might be nice. It was great ... Hubby and I had pizza, Chicky had pasta. Goodness, were we full ... we had to take home doggy-bags, as we couldn't finish what was on our plates. Fortunately, then, I didn't have to cook dinner ... just re-heat the leftovers !!! It was raining when we emerged from the restaurant, so we decided against a walk through the town.

We jumped in the car, and headed in the direction of home, driving along the bay road through to Mornington, stopping here and there for a photo or two. Here are a couple of photos of Beach Boxes, found all along the bay beaches.

We got a stunning view across the bay toward Melbourne, from above the Mornington Marina.

After Mornington, we cut back over to the highway, then onto the Frankston Freeway, then home, always mindful that we didn't want to make our return trip too late, due to it being a week-day, and the afternoon peak starts around 3.30 / 4pm. Fortunately, we missed the peak, arriving home around 3pm. It was a lovely day, not too long (we were pretty tired, anyway, due to having stayed up until 3am the night before to watch the Soccer). It was great to do something with just the 3 of us ... we always have fun, and enjoy each other's company, and enjoy doing the same things. We are very lucky in that respect, I guess.

Chicky had a friend sleep over Tuesday night (a girl from down the road, who is almost another daughter, anyway !!).

We all slept in, or lay in bed reading, until quite late this morning. It is now almost 1pm, we only had breakfast an hour or so ago, so lunch is still quite a way off !! Chicky and I are heading over to visit my parents later on, Hubby will be off to start work at 2pm (until 10pm tonight).

I might leave you now with a quote I discovered ... I thought it was beautiful, and very true ... I hope you do, too.

People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within.

--Elizabeth Kubler-Ross--

So, dear friends, I bid you farewell for today. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday, and enjoy the rest of the week.

Take care, all,

MEOW

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