The next morning I wander around Adelaide looking for coffee and see this. I remember Lanzafame getting a similar accolade a few years ago.
We leave Adelaide to drive a torturous leg to the 11 Apostles (one fell over recently). We drive through Langhorn Creek which is an awesome wine region founded in 1850. I dont know how old these vines are but the trunks are 10 inches thick!!!
Our chosen route takes us via ferry over the Murray River. I suspect theres a Melbourne Cup Party tomorrow……
Murals on silos are all the rage. These things are HUGE!
Driving through Vic. They have had some rain here. Its greener and lush with fat sheep dotting the landscape
Havent seen NSW like this for a while. Vic looks great.
We passed various styles of solar electricity generators and a big windmill farm in Vic.
As we approach the 11 apostles we pass London Bridge
The cliffs are stunning
Theres a little stub remaining of apostle 12
I couldnt have been more wrong. When you leave the 12 apostles to go to Apollo Bay you go up and over hills. We drove straight into a cloud, it was raining, visibility was down to 20 meters. When we went to make a turn we couldnt actually find the turning bay. And, there was something we hadnt seen for a week. Bends! Yes, curvy bits of road. Just outrageous.
We arrived late into Apollo and booked into the brew house. Originally we didnt plan to stop at Apollo Bay. We intended to stay with a mate named Luke who is the brewer for Prickly Moses. But, he was away. So, we randomly booked the Brew House at Apollo Bay. Turns out Luke makes the 14 beers they have on tap. Brilliant! Anyhow, its late, so we duck down the road for a laksa (which was more of a red curry and coconut soup) and Singapore Noodles (which werent really Singapore Noodles) but were tasty meals. We got back to the Brew House and washed them down with a Pale Ale.
The next morning was Cup Day and the last leg of our journey. Its raining. Apollo Bay is a beautiful little seaside town. Ironically the road from Perth to the 12 Apostles follows the coast quite closely, but actual ocean views are rare so we enjoy the change of scenery. The road is still windy and it hugs the waters edge.
It says MELBOURNE
We finally finish the coastal section and meet up with the freeway. Its still raining. Going to the Cup in a convertible probably sounded like a good idea at the time.
We drive in to South Bank and park the car at Anson’s new flat. Mission completed. We unpack his things and get him sorted.
But, its still raining.
The new place has views of the MCG. We start looking at satellite images of the rain. Its nasty. The first race is run and the comments from the jockeys were things like my goggles were full of water, my boots were full of water. Wildest ride ever. We start to debate if we will attend. It is a largely open air event. We also start to debate if they will postpone the race to later in the day.
The multi-talented Steve Baker then arrives dressed for the Cup and bearing a house warming gift of Battle of Bosworth Graciano. Nice!
When you dont know what to do, go to the pub. So, its off to the James Squire Brew Pub for a few sharpeners. After 1 pint the skies start to clear. The radar looks promising. The train station at Flemington, however, has fallen victim to flash flooding so we get a cab out.
On approach protesters have set up posters showing images of dead horses and remind everyone of the toll these animals pay by running for our entertainment. The track cant be in great nick after all the rain we had. Its a sobering thought. The enterance into Flemington is via a tunnel of white roses. Very elegant.
Entering Flemington
A quick selfie
We discuss putting on a bet. I read out the names of the horses (but 2 of the names I read out I made up). Anson picked the two I made up. Sigh!We have no idea! So, we decide to back horses that have prime numbers. Anyhow…….
The city in the background.
Its on! Its a 3200m race so they go past us twice. Last time I went to the races I didnt realise that they did 2 laps. My horse was in the lead as they went past the post for the first time and I started celebrating my win. The the lads explained it to me…….
Thundering down the straight for the actual finish.
In the wash up of the Cup Cliffsofmoher was put down after suffering an injury in the race (sadly I think thats 6 horses that have died in the Cup in the last 6 years) not that the Melbourne Cup is the only race where these tradgies occur. Suspensions were handed out for offences like over whipping a horse and careless riding.
And back to see Chloe before I call it a night. Ive got a 4am start tomorrow. Piggs Peake has club orders going out, so i better go pack some boxes.
