MONDAY 3 JANUARY     HOBART

John was definitely ill. He had a very upset stomach. I decided that my diagnosis was confirmed! He spent the day lying on the bed, watching cricket – the final Test was on in Sydney.

I did the washing, as it was a beautiful hot day, and quite windy. It was one of the nicest weather days we’d had, to date, in Tasmania.

I read through the afternoon. Drove to Claremont for papers, this morning.

By 4pm, there were signs of storms coming, but the washing had gotten dry by then, and been picked in.

Tea was another very light meal: sweet potato soup; a few pieces of boiled potato for John and some mashed potato for me.