Crossing the Border

With COVID-19 restrictions easing from the 1st June we jumped at the chance to head south (across two borders) to see Ros and Pete again in Geelong. We got here on Friday and Ros wasted no time getting us booked into one of the few higher end restaurants that were open for service (for a maximum of 20 people) over the long weekend. 360Q has a beautiful setting dockside at the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal. On a clear day you'd be able to see clear across Port Phillip Bay from its beautiful dining area - but on Saturday it was grey and drizzly and visibility was not so good.

 But our meal was wonderful and the staff were so happy to be open again (it was their first day open since COVID began) - and with only 20 people to serve. Here we are enjoying our entree: pork Bao and asian salad.... yummy! 

 Ros knew there was wonderful fresh seafood to be had from one of the boats moored at the docks.

 We were able to get Coffin Bay oysters and the fattest tastiest prawns from Mooloolaba from the boat.

 And this is the fresh seafood lunch we sat down to yesterday - AMAZING quality; prawns like that rarely got to the domestic market in more normal times. Lucky us!

 It was a lovely opportunity to see some of the extended family too this weekend. Sam and Lili have had little trouble coping with school at home for the past 8-10 weeks (thank you Mummy) and they were their usual bouncy selves despite all the recent upheavals.

 This girl shows every sign of having the L. family gene for talent and creativity (and beautiful dimples).

 Ros and Pete are wonderful hosts and great company. They organised today's fabulous feast from Sakura Tei in Newtown - some of the best sushi and sashimi we've eaten! When there's little else to do and not much open, then let's eat!

 Apart from feasting, laughing (and a few tears too), talking and card playing we tried to do a bit of walking each day while dodging cloud cover and bouts of drizzle. We made it as far as Buckley Falls (at the back of the old paper mill) on two mornings - rather spectacular considering this is basically in the Geelong 'burbs.

 On our first morning here we did a bridge to bridge circuit of this end of the Barwon River. Pete's able to join us on these morning jaunts too - on his slightly unreliable push bike.

Ros and Pete live in such a lovely part of the world, and the place they have made for themselves is so lovely too - we are always to happy to see them; here's hoping it wasn't be too long until the next time now we are in the next phase of the "new normal".