Perfect Port Fairy

Since returning to Port Fairy (after a few windy days on Fitzroy River, just down the road) we have utterly exploited our time; day and night.  Bob and Leanne returned home early and generously offered their site to us, which we accepted with unabashed glee.

We spend a day at Port Fairy’s beach and I relish in playing seal-like in the rolling surf.  The waves beautiful today – perhaps because the wind is coming in from the ocean – and I can bob and duck into and around large smooth waves as Jase body-surfs his way back to shore again and again and again.  We sip cold beer and watch children build sandcastles which are inevitably demolished by a high incoming tide.

Jase has been working nights, washing dishes in the local Italian restaurant.  It’s quite posh – check out their menu...

We take a trip to Warrnambool and enjoy Yum Cha for lunch, which includes the most delectable glutinous rice treats, and custard tarts taken straight from the oven and still piping hot. 

We also take pleasure in a long long stroll along the boardwalk, from the wharf up through to viewing platforms where you can gaze at Middle Island and other ancient rock structures, as well as take in awesome views back across the wharf and its beautiful beaches.  Children somersault into the water from the jetty whilst optimistic men drop a line in and hope to catch their supper (of fish, not children!).   The afternoon air warms up nicely and we are treated to a bright blue sky.  If only I chose to wear shorts today and not a dress, which risks flying up to my ears in rough winds!

Back home, the winds have been abrupt and violent, and nearby campers are forced to batten down hatches, pull down awnings, and hide in their camp.  Another Harry Potter movie and a cup of brewed coffee perhaps?

A couple of days later, Jase announces that he has planned a nice afternoon and evening in Port Fairy.   We pack a few provisions into 2 backpacks and walk into town where we purchase some sliced ham, goats cheese and a loaf of crusty bread.  Jase then leads me to the chocolate shop where he orders “Two rounds of the chocolate tasting plate please”.  Luscious morsels of chocolate are placed artistically on tow plates, surrounding a small cup of traditional hot chocolate.  The flavours are delightful: rich, soft, smooth, sweet, bitter.  All my faves.

We then walk to, and around, Griffith Island, where we decide to stop and eat our dinner of cold meats, cheeses, quince jam, pate and pickles, and Jase opens one of the bottles of French wine that he was given as a ‘thank you’ for working at the local Italian restaurant, L’Edera, for a couple of weeks.   

We are not alone; little black eyes are watching us.... (can you 'spot the aussie' in the next 5 photos?)

Then it’s off to view the muttonbirds returning home for the evening, before we too, return home, via the wharf and mariner, while the whole town of Port Fairy sleeps.