Millau

It took us several attempts to access the freeway out of Lyon, but soon we found ourselves on a lovely series of sweeping back roads up over the Massif Centrale and across the spectacular Auvergne region dotted with “puys”, or volcanic hills.

  

Ingrid decided that we would stay overnight in an obscure little town called Millau (pronounced “mee-oh” as in O Sole Mio !!). She wondered why I was obviously a bit excited by this prospect. She eventually understood when we came around a bend and she saw this – the Millau Viaduct, the tallest bridge in the world. Apart from all of the engineering superlatives, this structure is just mesmerizingly gorgeous. 

We stayed just outside the town in a very cheap, but quite cheerful motel attached to a bowling alley. We had an aperitif in the main square and afterwards, a particularly enjoyable dinner at La Mangeoire restaurant. In the morning we found a good coffee at the covered market and then Ingrid let me drool over the bridge for another couple of hours.

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Lyon

On our way down to the south west of France, we stayed overnight in Lyon, on the confluence of the Rhone and Saone Rivers. In the rain, we were guided through twisting, steep, one-way streets by Boris our GPS, to our B&B accommodation in the former silk working area. It was ….  somewhat bohemian.

Despite Lyon being renowned as one of the gastronomic capitals of France, due to August holiday closures and slightly off directions, we ended up dining in an Algerian run pizzeria. The pizza was excellent. The next morning, whilst wandering through the old town on the other side of the Saone we came across any number of “bouchons”, local restaurants serving traditional workers fare for which Lyon is famous. Too late!

  

Having spent only a couple of hours in Lyon, we promised ourselves that we would return sometime as it is clearly a complex and fascinating city.

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Williamstown

Even during my years at university, I had never been to Williamstown. So, on a soft Sunday morning after a pleasant Saturday evening with friends, I took the the detour off the end of the Westgate Bridge. I was rewarded with some idyllic views across the moorings on Hobsons Bay to the  Melbourne CBD.

Geelong

On our way to and from Ocean Grove, we have driven through Geelong so many times without taking photos, so finally I did.

The You Yangs from Drysdale

Corio Bay

From the Train at Lara

Point Lonsdale

Whilst staying with Mum and Dad at Ocean Grove, I wandered along the beach to the Point Lonsdale lighthouse, which stands guard over The Rip - the notorious narrow neck of water between Port Philip Bay and Bass Strait.

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Yea

I went with Jonathan, a friend from university days, to visit his property just outside Yea, 100 kms north of Melbourne. It enjoys a magnificent setting overlooking a long loop of the Goulburn River. He and Judith are in the midst of creating a new home in which they may escape the city. The plans show an elegant and modern linear structure nestled into the brow of a hill, 40 m above the river flats. If ever there were an ideal candidate for a Grand Designs feature, this would be it.

The View from the Future House

The Goulburn River at Jonathan's Fishing Spot

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Fremantle in Winter

At the same time that it appears that Luxembourg doesn't do summer, we were fortunate enough to be back in Fremantle, where it doesn't do winter.

Off Cottesloe Beach

Looking Over Fremantle from Monument Hill

Looking across Owen Anchorage to Carnac Island

Waiting for a Ride, Cottesloe Beach