The summer has been wonderful, filled with hot, sunny days, many spent at the beach or the park, exploring and enjoying new adventures here in Torquay. However, all good things must come to an end and so must summer. It was an extra long summer that led into a warm autumn season, but inevitably, winter came and stayed for a very long time! I was always under the impression that Australia did not really experience a winter season. I was wrong! Here in Victoria, the winter season seems to be just as long as the winter season in Ontario, and it can be rather chilly too-not to the extreme that we get back home-this winter, snow fell twice in the Otways and it reached a low of 3 degrees on some days.
Whale watching season happens in the Great Ocean Road region during winter between June and October. If you’re lucky, you can spot the magnificent Southern Right Whales from the shoreline as they migrate to warmer waters off the coast of Victoria each winter to have their babies and build up strength before returning to the sub-Antarctic waters. Reid and I tried many times to spot the whales with no success. He even tried calling them in whale talk which he learned from the movie, ‘Finding Dory.’
We spent time with new friends, trying out many of the cafes around Torquay and the Surf Coast. Some of our favourites are Moby’s because of the enclosed playground, Ginger Monkey because of the croissants and Ocean Grind because of the ping pong table and the yummy treats every Friday. The bubbacinos are always a hit, especially when they come with a marshmellow.
When Alexis was home on the weekends or on school holidays, we made the most of the sunny days as they were not many. There was a lot of rain this winter, so much that there was significant flooding along the Great Ocean Road which caused landslides and washouts. On the cool but sunny days, we enjoyed biking around town as well as playing in the sand at the Elephant Walk beach park.
For Alexis’ birthday, she received 2 tickets to see Disney on Ice in Melbourne. It was very exciting to see Elsa and Anna as well as many other much-loved Disney princesses.
During the winter holidays, we went to the wool museum and Alexis learned how to knit. We also went roller skating at the shopping centre, spent time enjoying books from the library and Reid’s favourite, we fed the ducks at the pond in Taylor Park.
Even though its winter, its hard to complain when it is so beautiful! The endless coastline makes for great walks and the deserted beach during the winter months never gets old. Unlike Canada, during the winter, Torquay is very green with plants and the grass is alive and growing better than it does in the summer months.
There is a trail called the Surf Coast Walk that runs along the coast for 44kms from Torquay to Airey’s Inlet. It is a busy place on sunny weekend days for walkers, runners, dog lovers and bike riders. The views of the rugged coastline from the trail are stunning and breathtaking, making it one of my favourite places to get some exercise and fresh air.
Speaking of exercise, I decided to take advantage of the time I have here along with the mild-ish winters and the beautiful trails. I signed up for my first run, the Anglesea Hoka Trail Run, running 9kms in total. I spent time training, sometimes alone on the beach, sometimes with Reid sleeping in the stroller and sometimes with Jo, a friend I talked into joining me in signing up for a run later on in the season. It was easy to enjoy the training because of the beauty around me, even the animals that I found along the way.
As the rainy days seem to become more frequent, we found ways to entertain ourselves indoors. Reid learned how to write his name! His silly personality, sense of humour and fun-loving attitude became more and more apparent. I feel blessed and so lucky to be able to watch and enjoy this little boy as he grows to be more and more independent and confident. I have absolutely loved my days with him and feel very grateful to have this time with him.
It has been equally fun and rewarding to be involved in Alexis’ school life this year. It has been my privilege to watch and enjoy her grow and mature, learning to read and write as well as play teacher when she gets home from school. She has become a confident, creative, strong-willed, smart little girl this year, excelling in school and making lots of friends.
Although the winter has been long, wet and cold, these two have enjoyed each other; reading together, playing together, exploring together as well as annoying each other at times too.
Janet Kuyvenhoven 