Winter Group Inc. Cross Country Ski Club

There's always something exciting about going to a new place! New sights, sounds, smells...the air was so fresh you could even taste the freshness.

Jan and Loch were first to arrive on Friday afternoon at least having been before on another trip to Waratah Bay. They discovered that "Westin on Waratah" had a glorious view and they watched the surf rolling in. At some stage the sea mist rolled in...

Bec arrived next setting up "Basecamp at Waratah" halfway down the hill also on Friday afternoon. Bec's "mansion" had just about all the comforts of home - quite impressive indeed.

Whereas we, Anthea and David, arrived at about 8:45 p.m. on Friday evening in the dark. It was our first adventure down to that neck of the woods. The Eastern Freeway was carparkish, Eastlink moved a little faster. However, we were listing to the ABC. "Oh no!! The Monash Freeway was a carpark in both directions. THAT couldn't happen in Melbourne and we'd forgotten to bring reading material! To cut a long sad story short we consulted a street directory as Esmeralda the GPS kept on telling us to turn around.

Finally, we reached Tooradin and were on our way to Gippsland. Not without drama though! It got very foggy. The trees in the distance in the paddocks looked like wafting creatures over just as fascinating hills. In contrast some puffs of billowing clouds turned pink as the sun set.

After we turned off the South Gippsland Hwy it became dark and seriously spoo-o-o-oky. We finally arrived at the Waratah Bay Caravan Park, backed Troupie into the site and set off up the hill to find Loch, Jan and Bec. Loch and Jan were enjoying a red wine on the front porch of "Westin" and Bec had come up from "Basecamp" for a chat. The afternoon's weather had been warm and balmy, ideal for lazing on the porch. When we told the others about our foggy, spooky trip, they weren't surprised because it became foggy at the camping ground as the day drew on.

After perusing the camp sites we decided to relocate just down the hill from the others and so evolved "Troupie by the Pump-house." Saturday morning was still, balmy and fine. However, the weather forecast was for a cold change and heavy showers, especially near the coast...Loch, not one to sit still, decided the front porch of "Westin" needed extending. So out came the green tarp, the bag of extra poles, the guy ropes and the extra pegs. Over a period of time a most ingenious and spacious front porch extension was created...large enough to seat all five of us in cosy comfort.

High tide wasn't until 3:00 p.m., but at some stage Loch, David and I decided a swim was in order. As we were getting ready the wind became stronger and stronger and the western sky looked decidedly darker as the time ticked by. There was some light rain on the walk down, but we were all going to get wet anyway. The water was quite warm and the waves were big enough to warrant taking a boogie board...at least Loch had his board. On the walk back to the beach David and I discovered a disabled shower and toilet. "Oh good!! We can have a shower together and save water!! "Too much information!" exclaimed Jan.

We all had lunch in our respective habitats watching all the dear little birds having a wonderful time in the rain, showers and sunshine. And the air smelt so fresh. The camping ground in our area had some beautiful native trees and bushes. All very tiring...

An afternoon nap was in order. A little later we were invited up to "Westin" for afternoon tea. Becky had specially baked a scrumptious lemon slice, Loch and Jan provided some delicious fruit cake and David and I had a packet of Mocha wafers... Decadent indeed.

Occasionally the sun shone on various parts of the Bay, Sandy Point and Wilsons Prom. When the areas weren't covered with mist and cloud, you could see distant sand dunes and the outline of the mountains at the Prom. The water had some spectacular colours...aquamarine, pale blue, darker shades of blue and almost black. Jan and Loch and David enjoyed a late afternoon walk along the beach.

As the rain set in Loch continued to modify his already extended verandah. As the afternoon drew to a close and evening approach, time for red wine and other such beverages were in order. And we had better eventually think about cooking tea. Although two cool changes had passed with plenty of rain, as predicted by the weather bureau (for a change) and we needed warm clothes, Gortex coat, hats and gloves (for the wimps), it was very pleasant huddling under the protection of "Westin's" verandah...What a life!!

After some entertaining stories from all the group, particularly Bec's adventures in USA and London, which David and I had never heard, red wine (my dad said it gave you "Intestinal Fortitude") and other delicacies we finally tootled off to bed.

Sunday morning was mainly fine and a little windy. After breakfast, all members of the group decided it would be prudent to start packing up tents and all their other belongings rather than going for another swim. Nobody relished the thought of putting on cold wet bathers as we had no hope of drying them after our swim on Saturday.

Bec was very organized dismantling "Basecamp", and she was the first to leave. Seeing Bec organizing herself reminded me of the words of a song "...I'll do it my way."

Packing Troupie needed a different style. All our gear was roughly organized chaos in the front seats. The organized bit is that we have a bedroom bag, a wearing day clothes bag, our day packs for skiing and hiking which most things for all eventualities, etc. The chaos bit is making sure we know where to find items when we go home and make sure the washing and wet beach gear bag goes straight to the laundry... We sat and had lunch in the back of Troupie, then were next to depart.

"Westin at Waratah," with all its components took a little more time to dismantle, but with so many creature comforts, I'm sure it was worth while...

Next time we go away with Winter Group, we must listen to Loch's arrival and departure directions more carefully. However, it was a very pleasant weekend.

Anthea