TUESDAY 5 JANUARY     TOOWOOMBA

It is a calendar year since we set out on this trip! Hasn’t that gone fast? From my perspective, right now, can see us enjoying lots more years of this.

I did the washing in the morning and it actually got dry. It still feels quite humid and damp out there.

John watched the end of the Ashes cricket series.

After lunch, drove to the Tourist Information Centre, seeking some inspiration about things to do in the area. Then went walking for an hour on the paths at Picnic Point.

Received a phone call from friend T. He is coming to visit tomorrow. That is exciting news – it will be great to see a face from home.

We had fish and chips, and a nice bottle of champagne, to celebrate the year on the road.

I broke a front tooth off my bridge, eating tea! Not good. Fortunately, I carry the old plastic plate, from years ago, for just such an emergency. Does not feel a great fit, but will fill the gap until I can get the titanium one repaired.

Reviewed my photo albums for 1998: they are a great record of the year.

MONDAY 4 JANUARY     TOOWOOMBA

We had the usual slow morning.

John went to bowls in the afternoon, calling in at the Post Office on the way. Our bag of mail had finally arrived, from home.

When he got home, I had a lovely time sorting the mail and reading lots of lovely Xmas cards and letters. But I was surprised and saddened to read that a former boss of mine and his wife had separated – after forty years of marriage!

John was rather grumpy because there were no cards from anyone at his former workplace.

Tea was kumara soup, sausages and salad. We are still eating up our Xmas ham as lunchtime toasted ham and cheese sandwiches. I think I should have bought a smaller ham.

SUNDAY 3 JANUARY     TOOWOOMBA

There was more rain today.

After lunch, walked the local streets for an hour, for our exercise.

Apart from that, it was a computer, sewing, reading day. This really is a slow start to our year. It is just a matter of waiting out the main holiday crowds – and the bad weather.

Tea was kumara soup.

With all the rain of the past few days, I have appreciated having the ensuite site and not having to walk any distance to go to the bathroom.

SATURDAY 2 JANUARY     TOOWOOMBA

It rained on and off through today.

We had a slow start to the day and then spent it fairly quietly.

Walked to the local shops, twice. The first time, I went for the papers and also bought some magazines. The second time I wanted some fruit. Also had a 4WD photo copy printed to submit for the Nikon photo competition in the Overlander magazine. Mailed that off. This little, local, shopping centre two blocks across, is really handy.

After yet more toasted sandwiches for lunch, we drove to the city Botanic Gardens and walked there, for an hour.

I made kumara soup and we had that and salads for tea.

FRIDAY 1 JANUARY     TOOWOOMBA

We woke up to continuing rain, heavier than yesterday’s. It got worse through the day, too – steady, soaking rain.

I was up at 8.15 to start the new year, John at 9.45.

It was cool enough to wear windcheater and jeans – haven’t had to do that for a while!

We had a late breakfast and an early lunch.

John went off to bowls at 12.30, despite the rain. He was back by 1.30 – too wet for bowlers. He then worked on accounts and records on the computer.

I sewed, and brought my journal up to date. Had classical music, on CD, on in the background – it was very pleasant. I spent most of the afternoon inside the van because it was too damp to stay sitting outside.

Tea was toasted ham and cheese sandwiches.