Ocean Grove - The Hidden Gem

With the outbreak of Blue Green Algae in the Murray River we decided to switch things up and head south for the coast. It had been a long time since I have spent any time in Ocean Grove and the difference was amazing. So many of the little beach houses are gone, replaced with million dollar townhouses. Whilst I don’t mind the quaintness of the old beach houses, some of these townhouses are amazing.

Most people know about Torquay, Lorne and Anglesea, but Ocean Grove is a lesser known cousin of these Surf Coast tourist spots. But it is a fantastic little spot especially for families to get their dose of the sand and sea. Located 97kms south of Melbourne it is a relatively easy drive to get there. We arrived just after the Easter rush and whilst it was school holidays I was surprised how quiet the beach and the small shopping strip was.

The beach at Ocean Grove is patrolled in summer and is fantastic for children. The wide, gentle slope into the water means there kids could move a fair way out and still be able to stand up. This made it easy for kids to boogie board and learn to surf. My kids loved it and the smile on their faces was priceless as they caught waves (although I don't Kelly Slater or Stephanie Gilmore will lose any sleep with worrying about a challenge from Milana and Sebastian).

On low tide there are a few little rock pools to fossick about in, but if you head over the bridge to Barwon Heads you can go for a walk over the headland towards 13^th Beach and then on low tide walk back around the headland. This provided the kids some great rock pools to explore. Finding a star fish was the highlight of the walk.

Ocean Grove isn’t really party central as it doesn’t have a large pub (you can venture across to Barwon Heads for that) but does have a couple of bars including the newly opened Uncle Jack and also the Zebra Bar and Bistro. The Driftwood Café on The Terrace is a good spot grab a coffee and a bite to eat.

Where To Stay.

We stayed at Dare Ja Vue which is a beautiful house on Dare St. From here it was an easy walk to the beach or the shops.

The nagging has started and the kids want to get back to the beach.

What I Love About Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix

Whilst the Australian F1 Grand Prix doesn't often provide you with the most nail biting races, you still have to love it for the simple reason. It is the opening race of the year!
After waiting out the off season, we finally get to see the cars race around the track. We get to see what teams were sandbagging in pre season testing and which ones were running light. It is the time we get to view new team and this year it was pleasing to see HAAS come in and score points.
In the opening race we get to see how new driver pairings are going to compare with one and other.
Turn 3! It always provides us with some good action. From Brundle in 96, Schumacher, the Tragic Villeneuve accident and this year Alonso, turn 3 delivers. I was fortunate enough to be sitting their this year and the sound was sickening. It was a relief to see both drivers walk away.

The crash this year did rob us of the possibility of a fight between Ferrari and Mercedes. Vettel had a brilliant start and just survived the undercut. I was suprised that they didn't match the Mercedes strategy and in the end it cost them the race (along with the red flag and poor pitstop) It also seemed silly that they didn't put Kimi onto the harder tyre so they had both strategies covered, not that it mattered with Kimi's fire.

Anyway it is great to have F1 back.

Energy Breakthrough Wonthaggi

Last weekend saw us venture down to Wonthaggi for out first taste of Human Powered Vehicle racing. Milana made the MGPS team, but unfortunately was too short for the trike. So instead she became part of the pit crew. It rained and poured on Friday and the wind made it difficult to put up tents, so we ended up staying at Phillip Island that night. I was rapt because I love the Island and got to have breakfast at Mad Cowes, a great place for breakfast in Cowes.

The concept of the Energy Breakthrough HPV's is great and they can get up some serious speed. The kids love driving them and as a cyclist I it really spiked my interest, might need to get a group of friends together and by a trike. They aren't cheap!

MGPS were 1-2 the Junior Secondary category with a 50+ lap lead. It was a shame it wasn't closer as it would have made it a little more interesting.