musings on software development, writing and life

We’re back from Phillip Island (for all of 10 minutes) – and it rocked! It was a lot of fun, and B had a ball. Our first family holiday, mini though it was, was definitely a success. The penguins performed and we got to see a bunch of them up very close as they stood near their burrows calling their mates, so B thought it was very cool. I’d forgotten how funny they looked trying to march out of the water as the waves keep sweeping them up – one made several attempts then finally got out, only to decide he couldn’t be bothered walking the rest of the way up the beach so he darted back into the surf to wait till it carried him further

The little apartment we stayed in was nice, although the big shower didn’t work which was disappointing although the small one in the bath worked ok, and for some inane reason the alarm clock they had there went off at midnight! Apart from that it was cool, and B loved the place. This morning we had a nice relaxed breakfast of mini cereal boxes, then cruised back out to the penguin center to go to the souvenir shop. B got a nice fluffy penguin, and I picked up an octopus that looked like it was made to sit on my monitor at work hehe. I was even encouraged to get it! This convinced me that R’s avid denial of my purchasing a shrek doll is definitely a conspiracy….

After the souvenirs were stashed away we went down The Nobbies and Seal Rocks. It was lovely down there – very very windy so we got all rugged up with scarves and such, and B got all buttoned into his parka which looked very cute. We wandered about, and I took photos of the rocks – looked a lot like home, surprisingly enough. I think the cold had something to do with that as well – I was enjoying it. We looked through the telescopes at the seals out on the rocks – 2 dollars a pop I might add! It wasn’t too long ago those things cost 20 cents… There’s a big stretch of boardwalks that loops around the edge of the island, so we wandered along that taking more photos and pointing things out to the little one. At one stage we propped him up standing on a bench and let him hold the camera while he made half a dozen hilariously abortive attempts at taking our photo. Eventually he got one however, and it came out very nicely so we’re pleased There’s also a really lovely one of B and I in our snuggly gear, which I think I’ll take to work.

After this it was back into Cowes for lunch, where we ducked into Flynns Inn. Another in a long line of ex-churches converted into pubs, this one was actually really nice and very well done – a lot of nooks and crannies and comfortable places to sit and drink. But then we discovered the best bit of all (for me at least) they were serving roast beef for lunch! I ended up being served with a traditional roast with parsnips and cauliflower cheese and all sorts – just like home. The Guinness was lovely and poured just right, and finally there was rhubarb and apple crumble with ice cream and bailey’s custard for dessert! I was in heaven…

As promised, we took B to the ice cream shop I’d visited when I went to phillip island as a child, and got ice creams (gelati for me!) after which we bundled back into the car and headed home. All in all an absolutely fantastic little break, which by the time we got home felt as though it had been much longer – so I’m nice and relaxed. I think this is something we’re going to try to do more often – and I’m planning to head back to Flynn’s every time we’re there

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