WEDNESDAY 7 JANUARY     BALLARAT

After another good night’s sleep, woke at 7am with a stuffed-up head from the cold. Took some Panadol and went back to sleep till 9.

Went through the same morning routine as yesterday – to the shop for paper, then breakfast.

We cycled 11.25kms round the Lake this morning – took a couple of longer road sections than yesterday. Then to the shops for rolls and fruit, but I also bought some groceries, mostly for tea tonight. They went into the small backpack I wear, and it was quite heavy.

It was raining very lightly while we rode, but set in to a steady drizzle while we had lunch.

Drove out to the caravan centre to get a little wheel to put on the top of the van door, so it will slide easily and with no tearing if it touches the annexe roof. It may not have been the greatest idea to visit a shop with lots of good gear for sale! We bought a solar shower bag and a portable toilet seat on legs – like a folding stool – anticipating eventual nights in the bush. Bought some spare light globes for the van lights. Had a wander around the ordinary caravans that were on display, realizing how flimsy and light they are by comparison with ours.

Drove to the city centre and walked around the Mall area, after trying to find a Telstra shop so we could hand in our phone handsets from home (P and K having their own). Finally, we were advised to do this at the Post Office – a job for tomorrow, now.

I bought a couple of books at A&R with my Xmas book vouchers from my boss. John treated himself to some liquorice and a set of bike clips.

Back at the van, John attached the little roller wheel to the door.

Cooked chops for tea, using the park’s free electric barbeque, which was horribly slow. Had pasta with those and a Greek salad, with strawberries to follow.

All this leisure is tiring – we are going earlier to bed each night!

We only drove 22kms today.