MONDAY 16 FEBRUARY     TORQUAY

The big day today! It is seven weeks since we set off, too.

We had to get up at 7am. It was raining solidly and so would have been a great day to stay in bed!

Left for Melbourne about 8.45am. There was quite heavy traffic in Geelong, and heading in, even though we thought we’d miss the worst of the peak hour. Had to get diesel there  – 72cpl.

It was a miserable driving morning, with the rain. We took the Princes Highway, then went in through Footscray. We actually got a parking place not far from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, but still got damp walking there.

It is a dismal hospital. John did not have to wait too long. His fears of big and nasty tests turned out to be unfounded – it was only a blood take, but lots of phials of same. There was much relief, on both our parts. It will take a week or two before the test results are received by John’s physician, but we are quietly optimistic, since going off the Warfarin does not seem to have had any ill effects.

John felt up to driving out to Box Hill to see Deeper Image about a TV aerial. Their system employs a booster, needs a hole putting through the van wall, and costs about $250. Obviously, for that price, the booster would need to make a big difference! We decide to wait and see C at Trakmaster about making a hole for it, when we are in Melbourne. I do not like the idea of another hole in the van wall. If it was up to me, would not bother about TV at all!

In teeming rain, returned to Geelong, via the SE Freeway and Westgate Bridge. There was heaps of traffic, even though it was only mid afternoon.

Stopped in Geelong, at All Tools. John bought two props – $89 – big, solid, orange, and a hazard for unwary fingers! Got some fruit and vegies at Grovedale, on the way through.

After we’d had a cup of tea, back at the van, there was less rain, so we went for a walk along the beach. This seemed very pleasant and easy for about 2kms,  until we turned to go back – and realized just how strong the tailwind had been! John really battled into the wind. He drove some 240kms today, much of it in traffic, so we were very pleased that his leg was even up to walking! Progress is happening.

For tea we had cold roast lamb, salad, and strawberries.