Frolicking Frogs in Lakes Entrance.....

Just three days back at work and it was time to be off again.  This time we were going to Lakes Entrance for the annual migration of the Victorian Frogs.  Yes it was reunion time again and we were looking forward to some great company, great food and great fun.

Leaving the camper home this time we drove down on Friday stopping for morning tea at our favorite little cafe in Darnum and then again for lunch at Bairnsdale.  We arrived at our motel about 3pm and found our neighbors Graeme and Sue had beaten us by half an hour.  They had driven down from Echuca and still got there first!

Over the next hour or so the others arrived and all seemed to gravitate to the car park in front of our units.  Very soon we all had a drink in our hand and had a great time catching up.  A couple of hours later we all moved on to the Sportsman Club where we continued to chat, laugh and drink.  Oh and we had dinner there too!  

Most of us met for breakfast the next morning and found a great little cafe along the Main Street.  The eggs, pancakes and French Toast were all popular choices and the coffee was great so everyone was happy.  After breakfast we all went our separate ways for a short while and reconvened on the wharf at midday.

Lunch and a cruise on the Lake was next and we boarded the boat for the trip to Metung where we were delivered straight to the pub.  On the way there we had four beautiful dolphins swimming along in our wake and it seemed like they were never going to leave us.  Finally when the skipper really sped up we left them behind.  It was a real treat to see them all for such a long time.

A two course lunch was included in the ticket price and we certainly enjoyed that and a drink or two.  Back on the boat at 2.00pm we then cruised the Lakes as far down as Paynesville and loved seeing the new canal development there.  I think that some of the boats moored along here probably cost more than our house.  

Back at the motel some tried the pool and we went for a walk along the fisherman's harbour before coming back for a quiet moment or two.   There was even a boat here with Willie's name on it!

Before we could blink it was time to get ready for dinner and once again we all met out the front and walked over to the Fisherman's Cafe where we had the best night with lots of food, fun and laughter! I think Bills seafood platter for one could of fed a few of us but he managed it all on his own.  There might have been the odd drink or two consumed as well though we weren't counting.

For the people who had been in Echuca a bit of a surprise was about to be sprung with Ketut (Shane) swearing his undying love to Rhonda (Rhos) and sealing it with 'some great foot bling'.  I'm not sure who got the biggest shock - the staff or me!  But just like the ad we hope that they now fade away into the sunset and Cheryl and Bill can rest assured we still love them to bits.

It was a weary group that met for breakfast again on Sunday morning and coffee was certainly needed to kick start the day after our big night out.  Soon after we said goodbye to most of the group as they made there way home after a great weekend. Sue and Graeme back to Echuca, Anita and Greg to Canberra, Katie and Andy to Sunbury, Adele and Mel to Melbourne and Trevor to Macedon.  Another great weekend with the 'Frogs' and of course we are looking forward to next time already!

Cheryl, Shane, Bill and I were staying another night and so was Peter (Smacka) and Sharon. After saying goodbye to everyone we all wandered down to the Esplanade where the market was in full swing.  Not a bad little market and we came away with some honey and some books. 

Peter and Sharon left us then and we jumped in the car and drove down to Lake Tyers Beach where we had a yummy salad for lunch at the Waterwheel tavern.  I loved the sign at the General Store too!  Spiders anyone!

The pub overlooks the estuary and the beautiful 90 mile beach.  From there we drove to Nowa Nowa to see the sculptures which were well hidden but we did find these lovely carved seats beside the river instead. 

Next stop was to the old trestle bridge, sadly now falling in disrepair but still a tourist attraction at the moment.  Hopefully something can be done to save this wonderful piece of history.

Just about home we took a detour following a sign to Wyanga Winery.  The old wine press at the front gave us no hint of what was to come.  In the tasting room we met Henry who took us through the tasting with a totally 'politically incorrect' repertoire that had us all in stitches for the next hour or so.  It paid off though and we all left with bottles of wine and Muscat to take home.  It will certainly be on the 'must visit' list next time we are down that way.

A couple of hours later we reconvened with Smacka and Sharon and crossed the road again for dinner on the water.  This time it was The Floating Dragon and the food was delicious and the Fried Icecream big enough to feed all six of us.  No we didn't share it but I could not even get half way through it!  And not even a picture - sorry!

The next morning we walked down the road again for breakfast but only managed toast and coffee after our big weekend. Back at the motel we packed our bags, checked out and hit the road for the trip home but first we had one more stop to make to see Alan and Elke in Bairnsdale.  Alan had met us for dinner on Friday and Saturday night but Elke had been in Melbourne for some appointments so we had missed her.  We spent a happy hour with them having coffee and cake  (more food) before we said goodbye and headed for home after a great weekend with good friends.

A couple of weeks later we had some very sad news from Alan.  Elke had gone to hospital for shoulder surgery and a few hours later there were some complications and she passed away.  Very unexpected for all their family and friends and our hearts go out to them all.  I attended the funeral the week after with Shane, Trevor, Steve, Andy, Kate, Mal and Adele and truly don't know how the family managed to say goodbye as they did.  A very sad time for all and once again proof that none of us ever know what is just around the corner.  Always live life like there's no tomorrow - there may not be!

Until next time.......