From Lavers Hill to Warrnambool

Day 5
Thursday 5 February 2009

We left Lavers Hill fairly early and headed down to Princetown. Kim enjoyed the riding coming down from Lavers Hill it was full on bend after bend. She was pushing the bike into the corners so much that she claims to have almost scrapped the pegs on some of the corners - I will believe it when she can show me the scrap marks on the motorbike peg underside. I was having a lot of trouble keeping up. Most of the road allowed for 100klms (with dire warning on corners) so Kim was well in front much of the time and when I tried to close the gaps the 4x4 control drifted around the corners (with a bit of tyre noise) so I accepted the limitation after a time.

Kim's back started playing up very near the 12 apostles (between Princetown and Port Campbell) so we had a cup of tea beside the road. She got a good rest at the 12 apostles but walked a few klms getting camera shots from every angle.



We stopped at Port Campbell after the 12 Apostles experience. I say experience because aside from the unique statue formations that form the phenomena we met people from several nationalities (Israel, Indian, Pakistan, English and Canadian). The only Australian in the area verbally accosted/challenged several person as they entered or left the interpretation centre and lecture them on the evils of the US, Jews, the inter-national monetary system - a bit weird. I won't bother you with the details but being on holidays I tried to avoid the conversation when I saw where it was going rather than argue a more balanced view and I strangely came away with quite a headache - as a lawyer the option to run/avoid rather than fight/argue is unfamiliar to me.

We stopped at Port Campbell and wandered around looking at the sights and shopping for odds and ends. Before leaving Port Campbell, Kim needed fuel. We either agreed that I would wait while Kim got fuel or as I recall it (under the influence of a headache) agreed that I would go ahead and Kim could catch me up. After driving ahead of Kim for about 8klms (she was still in Port Campbell looking me) I finally got a phone call from Kim (out of range for UHF) and discovered what had happened. Kim caught up quickly enough while I pulled over at a spot called the Grotto and entered the camper.

While I nursed a headache with a good coffee, Kim went for a few more klms worth of walking down the cliffs to the beach and took more photos (she should post them soon).

I thought she would want to stop but she decided to proceed onto to Warrnambool. We decided on a caravan park about 9 klms out of town called the Hopkins River Caravan Park - 4 1/2 stars and pretty flashy but worth the stay. They had plenty of facilities and very few patrons. We played table tennis several time (I lost all games - she wanted me to add that), swam in the pool and played in the spa. We are hoping the spa and some muscle cream will help her back for tomorrow.

We did a bit of tripping around on the Triumph (the only time I get to ride is doubling Kim - I am a bit heavy for her to double). We saw a museum and went to a cheese tasting emporium. We ended up buying some herb and garlic cheese for probably twice the going rate (but it was worth the experience). The museum display this monolith of an old 1930's engine that only created 88hp. It's incredible to think that with a few minor upgrades (she won't let me do them) I can get 90-100hp out of the triumph - picture of engine below.



We also went into the suburbs leading to Warrnambool and picked up those precious lamb chops. I had noticed a Suzuki motorcycle shop in the area so later I rode on the bicycle up to the motorcycle shop and got some advice on the Triumph rear spring/suspension settings (they were too soft when doubling and Kim bottomed out while riding by herself coming into Warrnambool). After the bicycle ride Kim and I reposition the spring sittings and we are hoping it might help her back tomorrow.

We had a pretty full day and burned some serious calories so we barbequed a few lamb chops and really lived it up. Everything going well and Kim fast asleep by 8.30pm.