Friday, March 26, 2010

A weekend at Cape Otway

Last weekend we made the 3+ hour journey from Melbourne to Cape Otway Lighthouse for my husband's annual family get together. The journey there was wonderful, we stopped off along the way to check out some 'old wares' stores in a quaint little town on the Otway Ranges and I scored this lovely little celadon green jug/vase to add to my collection...


Then we had a quick bite to eat at a lovely (but considerably over-priced) cafe in Lorne, and back in the car again travelling along the Great Ocean Road at Hugh's request we stopped at a little inlet to 'explore'...




We finally arrived late in the afternoon to join the 30 or so other family members, to stay at the Cape Otway Lighthouse cottages...


After a slapdash BBQ, the resident lighthouse keeper/tour guide gave us a sunset tour of the lighthouse and told us a bit about the marvellous history of this wonderful beacon of light...




The next day we had a lazy breakfast and went for a quick walk to the lighthouse station schoolhouse.  We walked through this amazing grey arch of twisted branches...


...to emerge at the schoolhouse...


After a family lunch to celebrate St Patrick's Day (my husband has Irish descendants) and a cousin's 50th birthday, it was back in the car for the journey home.  On the way out of the Cape Otway Lighthouse national park we spotted this little fellow fast asleep perched in a tree right next to the road...


All in all, a wonderful weekend away. We've vowed to leave the city more often for mini-breaks, so next month we're off to Brisbane for four days. Can't wait!

9 comments:

  1. Hi Lee. That sounds like an awesome escape. My husband was down at Apollo Bay last weekend with 'the boys' (hence I opted to stay home). My parents have a new beach house in St Leonards and I love getting down there when I can - for the sea air as much as the interior decorating (see, I'm styling it for them and can't wait to get it done so I can show everyone!).

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  2. Hi Lee
    Great post... I am still yet to see the Great Ocean Road.. is on my MUST do bucket list but never seem to get there.. this post is just enticing me more... I remember when I first started blogging I was Looking at photos of this very same lighthouse... and thought how sweet the cottage residence looked.. I just love lighthouses and all they conjure up.... thanks for you lovely photos... and have a great weekend.. xxx julie

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  3. Lee what beautiful photos...the lighthouse seems to glow in that lovely evening light.
    And, those twisted silver branches are wonderful. Sounds like a lovely trip.
    Great idea... more mini trips (me...I must get to the Great Ocean Road one day. Havent been there yet!).

    Jacky xox

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  4. I’ve done the Great Ocean Road a couple of times.
    Fantastic photos and I’m putting that destination on my list of places to stay.
    Great blog. :)

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  5. I love the Great Ocean Road, but I haven't been there for years. Your pics are great, and those cottages are heavenly!!
    :)

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  6. That looks like a peaceful place to hide away for a few days and unwind.

    Rachael

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  7. Lee, these are such great pictures! It looks amazing.

    Angela x

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