[13 June 2017] On our first un-jetlagged Saturday in Warrnambool we had a couple of hours free before a lunch date (how fortunate we are to have caring colleagues) in Port Fairy.
So we hit the road with our rental car, not deterred by the rainy weather. The countryside is spectacularly green. “The Western Victoria dairy region extends west from Melbourne towards the South Australian border with a large share of farms concentrated around the coastal areas near Warrnambool. Rainfall variability is low in this coastal area, creating a consistent environment for pastures and fodder crops.” The local cheeses are delicious and dirt cheap.
I was given The Michael Morcombe eGuide to Australian Birds for Christmas and can proudly announce that I’ve seen 34 different bird species so far. There are the prettiest birds around and some have the cutest names! Superb Fairy-wren, Willie Wagtail, Welcome Swallow, Silvereye. I’ve also learnt that there are no less than 55 different Honeyeaters in Australia. So I was quite pleased to find this Singing Honeyeater as we parked at Logans Beach.
Singing Honeyeater
There’s general excitement in the Warrnambool air as news spread fast that two southern right whale calves were borne over the last seven days right here in the bay. As we arrive at the whale viewing platform an official (reminding me of the Hermanus Whale Crier ) offers information on this morning’s sighting. A mother and calf – about 400m into the ocean. The calf is one week old and “I can see how it’s grown over the last seven days, it’s amazing” he says with ardent confidence. Huh?!
Logans Beach is also a popular spot for surfers. And one by one the wetsuit army rush down the wooden steps onto the golden beach to catch the waves.
With closed eyes I lift my face to the soft rain and thank the universe. There is enough beauty around me to last a very long time. Wellness thrives in salty air.
Where golden sand meets the Great Ocean
