along the beach and around a lake. But once again it was time to move on ( actually nice as St Leonards was, the prospect of being there in peak season did not appeal).
We drove to Queenscliff and the ferry across to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.
We didn't stop in Queenscliff, passing up staying for dinner at the hotel which had "theatre dining", the theme being 'Fawlty Towers'! We got to the terminal as one Ferry was docking so there was just time to pay and then we were boarding.
The trip across was a leisurely 40 minute cruise and we were soon in the little town of Sorrento.
We had a quick lunch and got a map from the info centre before heading up the coast to Rye and knocking on Val and Roger's door. At one point a few years ago all 4 of were working at the same place - I was the last to leave!
We were made incredibly welcome and had a fantastic, amazing 3 days with them.
They took us to everywhere around their part of the Peninsula - Flinders, Dromana, Sorrento, Rosebud, Macrae, Arthurs Seat and Mount Martha as well as Rye and out to Point Nepean at the 'tip'.
The weather on the day we went to Point Nepean was cold and wet - as you can see. But it was worth it for the scenery and the history of the place was very interesting.
We even saw the beach where the Aus PM Harold Holt disappeared.
All too soon it was time to say goodbye to Val, Roger and the dogs, Dunlop and Penfold.
Thanks to Val we had wonderfully easy precise directions to our next reunion in Melbourne.
The story behind this is: we met Rhonda on the ship enroute to Australia in 1977. She was returning to Melbourne after working in UK as a diagnostic radiographer. We have kept in touch all these years, usually only by cards and letters at Christmas but never met again - until now!
We now get to meet her husband Gary and maybe one of their 3 daughters.
It's amazing! It is like popping in to see friends that you only saw last week, we are all having a lovely time together, they've made us feel so welcome and are showing us all around their great city.
Melbourne really is a great city, deservedly a winner in the most livable city stakes.
I might even concede that it wins over Perth! (WA still wins over Victoria though!!)
We have been on trains, trams, buses and chauffered in their cars.
We have seen the great architecture in and around the city, been to Chinatown, the Victoria Markets, Collins Street etc and out to St Kilda beach.
We've had a tour of Parliament.
Been to an exhibition lauding Reg Livermore.
Also been to the Immigration museum where as well as the usual museum displays there is a special exhibition on UK Child Migrants.
This special exhibition I found very moving and I almost felt that I couldn't proceed, it was so emotional, but overall the feeling at the end was an uplifting one, and I'm glad I went.
As Michael said, should they have left the children there to their fate, and possibly their death? Hindsight always shows a much clearer view doesn't it?
This is only about half the things we've done so far, I'll do another Melbourne blog in a couple of days - featuring the Dandenongs and Puffing Billy Railway, Point Cook RAAF Museum and where ever we go over the next days before heading off.
But thought I'd finish this note with another photo from the Immigration Museum - another immigrant!
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