Moving down the highway of my life....

We had 4 days to get the Camper van we were relocating, from Sydney to Melbourne. Except we didn't. We didn't get on the road until 11.45 on Monday & we had to deliver it by 2pm Thursday, which meant we only had 3 days to cover the 1100km coastal route. We had hoped to  stop in at Canberra but quickly realised that wasn't on the cards. I also had a long list of ‘must see’ places  which was unlikely to be fully achieved. It was mid pm  before we put Sydney behind us & once on the open road & we were suddenly aware of the  strong cross winds that battered the van making it hard to drive. However, on the plus side,  it created some spectacular waves, so when we stopped at Kiama to observe the ‘blowhole’ where the sea comes up through a gap in the rocks it was like a huge explosion of water shooting right up in the air. We joined the groups of school kids watching it & screaming at  getting soaked – yet waiting for more. Back on the road & the wind was still making it a challenge to keep control so we called it a day about 4.30 pm & found a campsite, where ‘the computers were down’ so they let us in for free. Result! The next morning we stopped off in Ulladulla & walked along the deserted  beach before getting back on the Princes Highway, stopping in Batemans Bay & Eden for a look around. When we finally stopped we had covered nearly 350km & the camping was free due to a dispute with the local council about who collected the money. Result! We found a lovely walk that skirted a river then crossed it via stepping stones which I did with great trepidation- I think you know by now I'm not the adventurous type, then we Jogged back to the van to get our legs moving. We were in bed by 8pm & despite the man singing David Gray songs at full volume we were asleep moments later.  We got up early & drove to Lakes Entrance  & walked out past the lakes to 90 mile beach where the surf looked impressive in the sun. We had breakfast in a car park (glamorous)then back on the road, stopping only to steal wifi from McD’s  in their car park. Another 350km completed, we pulled into our stop for the night, Warragul caravan & retirement park – a glimpse of the future perhaps?! It wasn't free but it did have a washing machine, dryer & a swimming pool so we got to it. As we loaded the machine we realised we wanted to wash the clothes we had on so we shut the door & stripped off in the laundry room, put our costumes on & went swimming as our clothes washed. Later, when we were back in the laundry room folding our clothes I noticed a sign that said ‘CCTV in operation’  then looked up and spotted the camera – oops!
The last leg of the journey was mostly motorway & the high rise buildings of Melbourne grew as we got nearer. We dropped our bags at our hotel in the city & drove out  to deliver the van. Mission accomplished but we were both exhausted so when we got back to the hotel we crashed out. Later we went out to explore & to have a drink at the oldest pub – the Mitre (it was like being back in London). The following day we had an important on to do. Get a haircut. Easy enough for Mr L, he found a barbers that did an excellent job of restoring him to his normal self. I struggled to find somewhere for less than $250 until we found out about a hair academy where I got the full treatment for $90 – although it did take 3hrs!!
We had 5 nights in Melbourne but we really didn't have the energy to do it justice. We loved Victoria Market & the hipster areas of Brunswick & south Yarra, the street art (but not the graffiti) & the buildings, the great transport systems & the very relaxed vibe of the place. We met up with C&E who we had met on our travels now giving Melbourne living a go in a fab flat with city view and we chilled in a few local bars.
Our niece C will be v disappointed to hear that whilst in Melbourne we did not make it to the set of ‘Neighbours’ & get her the list of autographs she requested. As am I, but  Australia is such a vast country with so much to see,  we didn't get there or get to so many of the places we had wanted to see; we didn't even scratch the surface. We did however, have great fun. We had no expectations of Australia but it has surprised to us. The road trips took us back in our minds to our travels in the USA in 1983 when we were planning our future & a family, and now, with our beautiful children fully grown &  at a different stage in our lives,  having a different experience, we have relaxed & enjoyed  what it has had to offer - the landscape, the people, the towns, the buildings, similar at times to England & America but for the most part it has its own identity . We will be back to see you again Australia but for now it's time to move on. New Zealand awaits.