SATURDAY 17 JANUARY     BALLARAT

Today, John reduced his Warfarin dose to 4.5. So far, all seems well.

Did a ride around the Lake, straight after breakfast – 10kms.

There was no bowls today for John because their normal pennant competition had resumed. This was probably fortunate because the temperature reached 43 degrees! It is a total fire ban day, because of the heat.

I did washing before breakfast – two loads.

After breakfast, drove to the Mall area. I went to Lincraft and bought some embroidery fabric. At Bank of Melbourne, I withdrew $116 from my account to compensate for the money I’d spent on embroidery stuff this week.

Apart from the weekend papers, bought more liquorice for John and, on impulse, he bought a Tattslotto System 8 ticket. I bought a second hand book – exchanged one I’d read, so it only cost me $3.50.

Went on to Wendouree Shopping Centre, because it is air conditioned, and browsed there for a while. Bought some groceries and John purchased a small bucket of rubbery fishing lures, for $20. Personally, if I was a fish, I would not be at all attracted to these slimy, rubbery things – but we shall see how they go, at some future date.

Spent the afternoon in the van, with the air-con on! When we were ordering the van, I was at odds with John and did not think we really needed air-con. I was wrong! We now know it works, too – and quite efficiently. But it is rather noisy.

There was a late and welcome cool change, which eased the oppressive heat and made the night better for sleeping. It would be too noisy to keep the air-con on.

We watched the lotto draw – John got 4 numbers and since it is a system ticket, that will be a reasonable prize.