Lighthouses and such

Today, our last day in Point Lonsdale, dawned bright and sunny, with a slightly cool breeze.    Just the day for a long walk, so Walter and I set off to walk along the coast to Point Lonsdale Lighthouse.  

Point Lonsdale Lighthouse  

 The jetty by the lighthouse, a favourite fishing place.   Sharks are often caught here.   People like to eat sharks, and they are called Flake, in case you are ever in Australia and fancy fish and chips.   It is much better for us to eat the sharks, than it is for them to eat us.

 This rock shelf in front of the lighthouse.    The sea around here is a marine national park.

The beach south of the lighthouse.    Real surf here.

 Looking towards Queenscliff, on the west side (Bellarine Peninsula) of The Rip (the inlet to Port Phillip Bay).

 On the way back we stopped for coffee, much needed after our long walk.   After coffee I went for a short swim, very refreshing, I must say.  I kept an eye out for any stray sharks, that may have escaped the fishermen on the jetty.

 In the afternoon we went to visit Fort Queenscliff, which is still being used by the army.    Up until 2000 it was a staff college for high ranking officers.    During the 1800s it was built for defence purposes.

 Our knowledgeable guide telling us about the gun, and the fact that the three clipped hedges were planted in recognition of three officers who received the Victoria Cross.

 The Keep.   Not in the middle of the fortifications but built on one corner.    Not my idea of the ideal place to take refuge.    Probably a token gesture left over from the British Army.

 These cottages were built before the fort was built.    They are currently empty.

 This seat was made by local primary schools.    The children made ceramic plates which were embedded in concrete.    Very effective I thought.

 The white lighthouse at the fort.

 The black lighthouse at the fort.  

When the ships enter The Rip, the captain, together with the pilot, have to line the ship up with the two lighthouses.   As soon as the ship is lined up with the lighthouses, it has to be turned sharply to the right. There is no margin for error.    Unlike a hapless ship, that continued straight ahead and landed on the beach in front of the white lighthouse.  

The flow of water through The Rip is 10 knots so small boats have to go through The Rip with the tide.

And tomorrow we say a reluctant goodbye to Rudolf and Conny, and leave Australia.     Every onwards.