So we packed up again and set off for Torquay. We stopped at the Wicked rental company so Robin and I could pick up our own van. We traveled down the west side of the bay this time.
On our way following the X-men
This side of the bay seemed drier than the east side
Beach time!!
I take it Torquay is well known among the surfing community and a favored destination
Wind was high and the waves weren't the best so we passed the time with a kite.
Toward evening the wind let up a little and although conditions were still iffy we decided to give it a try.
It was not possible to photographically record what followed next with the equipment at hand (thank goodness). It is indelibly inscribed in my brain however. Casey was great at providing tips, instruction and suggestions. Unfortunately he couldn't just do it for me. We paddled out for what seemed like forever. I finally got to the area outside a lot of the waves where you could just rest a bit. My neck was killing me by this time since you have to lie on your stomach and hold your head up to see the waves coming at you. Once in the "hang out" area I had trouble just trying to rest on my board. Casey said the conditions were difficult with a lot of water moving in different directions but I didn't see the experienced riders having that much trouble. I did get in front of a couple of waves but never made it close to getting up. Wasn't long before I was whipped and I headed in.
You can get tired without actually accomplishing a lot.
We headed back to the camp site and had a good time hanging out. Leigh Ann and Casey fixed up some pasta and sausages for dinner and we enjoyed satisfying the appetites that we worked up.
Leigh Ann shoots a furry Aussie possum with her camera phone
The next morning, Robin shot a video of the camp site while us boys played in the surf. See if you can hear any birds. They have very unique calls. I don't know what any of them are except there are different kinds of parrots.
Later Robin had a go at surfing herself. She said she actually got up on her first try!
I went out both early and later on Sunday. I didn't go so far out as I had before and it was a little more manageable. I still have to say that it is a very humbling experience. I did catch some waves and mostly knelt on the board or used it like a body surfing board. In close the waves don't last very long even if you do catch one - it is hard to have enough time to stand up. I did finally catch a wave with just enough time to stand up before it gave out so I claim a moral victory. I definitely see the potential here for an addictive sport.
It was an absolutely georgous day to be on the beach. Warm, sunny, with clear skies. Maybe the best day we've had weather wise.
Is there a better way to spend a day? I don't think so.
When the day was over we piled in the van and headed back to Melbourne.
At least one of us looked like they belong in a hippie van.
Well that was fun. Everything went really well on the trip. We did run into a lot of traffic returning but that was from an air show that was ending. I sunburned the top of my feet but not badly. I tried to be careful but after getting out of the water I didn't get lotion on my feet soon enough. The sun will work you over here. Next up Cairns and the diving the Great Barrier Reef
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