Ocean Grove Rally
Report 12th - 16th October 2023 Imi & Dieter Roscher "Come when you can, leave when you must." |
Ocean Grove WCC rally October 2023
Throughout the rally we experienced daily sunshine and showers with a strong, cold wind – the wind being the only constant. It was therefore not conducive to sitting outdoors in the lovely, park-like campground, or to engage in outdoor picnics. Unfortunately, the strong wind and intermittent showers also made some planned outdoor activities untenable.
However, our group of twenty, braved the elements and engaged in various pursuits in the area in small groups.
A popular walk began along the Barwon River on a path right beside our camp. This led across the bridge to Barwon Heads and the Bluff loop walk, with its various picturesque lookout points to the river, ‘The Rip’ and the ocean. If you were lucky, you could see ships waiting for safe passage, or negotiating those treacherous waters. ‘The Jetty’ (of Diver Dan fame) with fantastic views over the Barwon River estuary, was a great place to gather for yummy afternoon tea and a good chin-wag on a showery afternoon.
In the Queenscliff area, a group took the Queenscliff Historic Fort and Black Lighthouse tour. The glass encased Observation Tower also popular, was free and sheltered from the cold wind, affording stunning 360 degree views. Nearby at Pt Lonsdale several lookout points gave observers a closer view of ships passing through the The Rip. Some were lucky to watch a pilot boat meet a ship, off-load the pilot who then steered the vessel safely through narrow entrance.
Another activity taken up by some groups, was a road trip around the east coast of the Bellarine Peninsula – St Leonards, Indented Head, Port Arlington and Drysdale. A day in Geelong was also a destination for some. Most found the time to engage in a short, but very pretty walk around the local Blue Waters Lake with its birdlife, garden gnomes and gorgeous homes. Others went bird watching at the local wetlands, while more visited lookouts along the shores of the Barwon and its wetland lakes.
The small group made for pleasant socializing in the roomy, warm camp kitchen at happy hour. It was a great place to convene in the morning with a cuppa to discuss the day’s options. The meals at the Barwon Heads Hotel were among the better pub meals and the ambience pleasant.
Imi & Dieter
Throughout the rally we experienced daily sunshine and showers with a strong, cold wind – the wind being the only constant. It was therefore not conducive to sitting outdoors in the lovely, park-like campground, or to engage in outdoor picnics. Unfortunately, the strong wind and intermittent showers also made some planned outdoor activities untenable.
However, our group of twenty, braved the elements and engaged in various pursuits in the area in small groups.
A popular walk began along the Barwon River on a path right beside our camp. This led across the bridge to Barwon Heads and the Bluff loop walk, with its various picturesque lookout points to the river, ‘The Rip’ and the ocean. If you were lucky, you could see ships waiting for safe passage, or negotiating those treacherous waters. ‘The Jetty’ (of Diver Dan fame) with fantastic views over the Barwon River estuary, was a great place to gather for yummy afternoon tea and a good chin-wag on a showery afternoon.
In the Queenscliff area, a group took the Queenscliff Historic Fort and Black Lighthouse tour. The glass encased Observation Tower also popular, was free and sheltered from the cold wind, affording stunning 360 degree views. Nearby at Pt Lonsdale several lookout points gave observers a closer view of ships passing through the The Rip. Some were lucky to watch a pilot boat meet a ship, off-load the pilot who then steered the vessel safely through narrow entrance.
Another activity taken up by some groups, was a road trip around the east coast of the Bellarine Peninsula – St Leonards, Indented Head, Port Arlington and Drysdale. A day in Geelong was also a destination for some. Most found the time to engage in a short, but very pretty walk around the local Blue Waters Lake with its birdlife, garden gnomes and gorgeous homes. Others went bird watching at the local wetlands, while more visited lookouts along the shores of the Barwon and its wetland lakes.
The small group made for pleasant socializing in the roomy, warm camp kitchen at happy hour. It was a great place to convene in the morning with a cuppa to discuss the day’s options. The meals at the Barwon Heads Hotel were among the better pub meals and the ambience pleasant.
Imi & Dieter
"Come when you can, leave when you must"