Wednesday 23 March

Awake and up at 0530, dressed for my now obligatory walk but took my camera with me, out at 0545 and three turns around the deck. Met up with my walking companion and fouond he also knows the president of the school council from where I last worked. Took quite a few sunrise shots over the Perth skyline, then back to the cabin, had a shower and dressed. Up for breakfast. Met up with more for breakfast and Fran arrived while I was still eating. Finished and went down to check email, then packed ready for today. Went down to the Wheelhouse lounge and called Val, then met up with Fran and Pat. Velma not well and sent back to bed. We all went off the ship and waited on the roadway footpath and just after 0900 Val turned up. We all got in, introduced Pat and were soon off and at Val’s place. Val left us and we headed up to see Jean. I rang Daphne and arranged to meet and Kingsway at 1030. We arrived at Jean’s at 1000 and had to enter through Maddie’s. I saw Bev and arranged to get a new access card, then we walked around (after saying hello to Merle). I waved to Jack and Dorothy, then we caught up with Jean. She has lost a lot of weight and is far harder of hearing than when we saw her at new year. Bev arrived with the card at 1025, I signed for that and we were off to Kingsway. We soon met Daphne and Ian, had some morning tea (posted puzzle entry forms as we won’t be at another Australian port until it’s too late) and then went down to the AQWA at Hillary’s. We met up again there, went in and spent a very agreeable hour and a half, but could have stayed far longer. Heartily recommended to all. Then it was down to Scarborough for lunch, which we had on the foreshore. After a little walk along the beach, we parted and headed to print off some photos for Fran to use as postcards – and the Officeworks we called into had problems and couldn’t print photos today. We headed off to Elizabeth’s and had afternoon tea there, then went and cruised St George’s Terrace and stopped at King’s Park. All out for a walk, ran into some people from the ship, and then drove around the tracks to show Pat the park. We exited near UWA, then drove along beside the Swan, over the Causeway and to Burswood. Then we refuelled, looked for another Officeworks (unsuccessfully) and returned to Val’s place. After meeting another grandchild, John and Val drove us back to the ship. Velma was at work, but sounded terrible. Pat went off and we had tea. Fran went off to a show and I did my computer work, shrinking and uploading photos and trying to update my diary. Sat on Deck 14 under the stars trying to work.

Tuesday 22 March

Awake and up at 0600, dressed for my now obligatory walk, out at 0610 and four turns around the deck. Met up with my walking companion after a few jogs to catch up. Then back to the cabin, had a shower and dressed and up for breakfast. Met up with more for breakfast, then we docked at Bunbury. Velma was able to get off after 0900 and we took the shuttle down into the town. Fran booked a foot appointment and then we went to the pharmacy in the shopping centre to get some other things. Fran then went off to her appointment and Velma, Pat and I went to the Dolphin Discovery Centre. While it was good, it wasn’t what any of us had expected. We took the bus back into town and Velma took the shuttle to go to work. Pat and I strolled around and looked at the town, then called Fran when we thought she should have been out. She met us and we had lunch in the shopping centre. We walked up to the lookout and saw quite a few crew and passengers on the way. They piked out of climbing up, but I took some shots from the top of the lookout. Then we walked back to the shuttle and took it to the ship. Took photos as we left, but missed getting the dolphins we saw – they wouldn’t sty out long enough! Had tea and Fran went off to watch a show while I went to the cabin. Did the rest of the puzzles, started to watch Gidget on TV but couldn’t concentrate so went to sleep. Found the elephant, whose eyes we had eaten, now was wearing sunglasses!

Monday 21 March

Awake and up at 0600, dressed for my now obligatory walk, out at 0610 and four turns around the deck. Met up with my walking companion. Then back to the cabin, had a shower and dressed and up for breakfast. Met up with more for breakfast, Fran now regularly arriving as I’m finishing. Down tot the cabin and got everything ready and Fran rang Peter. He arranged to meet us just outside the secure area in his car about 0900, but Dorothy wasn’t the best and wouldn’t come. I checked some emails and then we went down and waited outside. Peter arrived soon after, picked us up and took us to Denmark via and scenic route. When we arrived at their place, Dorothy was up and we had morning tea. We then drove around Denmark and to Williams Bay and Green Pool. Excellent scenery. We had lunch, then headed into Albany. Fran and Dorothy looked around the market set up for the cruise passengers while I posted puzzle competition entries and got papers. Back onto the boat and we were out at 1700. Very good run out to sea and then off to tea, Fran went to a show and I went off to bed. Found an elephant in the cabin.

Sunday 20 March

Awake and up at 0600, dressed for my now obligatory walk, out at 0610 and four turns around the deck. Didn’t meet up with the chap who had been a plumber as he about fifty metres in front of me. Then back to the cabin, had a shower and dressed and up for breakfast. Met up with more for breakfast, then went back down and got a copy of my book to give to Ron and Connie (caught up with him in the Florentine Room at 1000). Met up with Pat outside Velma’s office, then finished the puzzles, cut them out and enveloped them, then started on the next lot. Caught up with Fran for lunch and sat with Kathy, Jean, June and John, and Denise and Karen. Then down to try to catch up with diary and finally did so, with the Art Auction going in the background. Also updated the pictures.

Saturday 19 March

Awake and up at 0600, dressed for my now obligatory walk, out at 0610 and four turns around the deck. Still dark, but quite a few other vessels out at sea. Met up with the chap who had been a plumber and we chatted about what we did in Adelaide while we walked. Then back to the cabin, had a shower and dressed and up for breakfast. Fran arrived while I was talking to a chap from Sunshine. After, I went down to the Wheelhouse Lounge and waited with Pat until Fran turned up at 0820. Velma had already begun her work day. At 0825 she took us up to deck 12 and we made our way through to the bridge. Here the Third Officer and Navigation Officer walked and talked through the operation of the ship and the instruments. It was most interesting and while the ship had automatic and computer controls, all could be taken over manually if necessary. Then we went to the wing bridge and had a look along the side of the ship and under our feet through a glass deck. Velma left and then we took some photos and left. Fran booked a tour at Bali and the ones at Broome were all booked out. We met up with Fay who had her meeting with her granddaughter Taylor, 6’3”) go off well. Then I walked around Deck 12 and spoke with people from Sydney (near Bankstown) and a couple from the Yorke Peninsular. Went up to the Wheelhouse Lounge and started writing up my diary and then met a couple from Adelaide (Chas and Anna) who had daughters in the crowd who gathered to farewell us from Adelaide. Put the computer away and went up for lunch, which we had outside with a family from New Zealand. I went down into the lounge on the port side on Deck 7 to do the puzzles, and did some but ended up trying to help some women with a crossword solution. Finally down to the cabin about 1700 and changed for dinner. Entered the dining room (Venetian) at 1745and we were the first. Ended up with Chris and Keith, Mille and Chris, Maxxie and Manuel and Brian and Maxine (separated). Nice dinner, pleasant companionship, but I think I prefer Horizons because of a greater variety – also, more informal. After, we changed and walked four times around the deck (for me, 640 paces [1920 per mile, 1200 per kilometre] and for Fran 892 [2676 per mile, 1670 per kilometre]). Then Fran got ready for bed and to watch Mao’s Last Dancer – I got some cups of tea and had those with Teddy Bears in the cabin. Off to bed and watches back an hour.

Friday 18 March

Awake and up at 0600, dressed for my now obligatory walk, out at 0610 and four turns around the deck. Still dark, but quite a few other vessels out at sea. Didn’t meet up with the chap who had been a plumber as he was half a deck length in front of me. Then back to the cabin, had a shower and dressed and up for breakfast. Did some Internet work from the port side and then met up with Fran and we joined the line to leave the ship. We were off fairly quickly and got on a shuttle into the city. The commentary was good but a bit too much to take in at once. We were off in the city not long after 9 and went to walk down to Ashley’s, but he called use as he was on his way to Elizabeth. We changed direction and went down to pick Fran’s car up. It was ready so we just got in and Fran drove home via the newsagents. I got the papers, then at home heard water running. I went to look at the hot water system, but found water everywhere. I turned the cold water off, then opened the cover to look at the pilot light and found it was corroded. I gave Fran the bad news and she rang a plumber, but no answer. I left a message. I packed my suit into the car and then Pat rang. We arranged to meet him outside Target. Fran paid her bills, then we drove into the city and were early, but Pat was ready already. We picked him up and then drove on a scenic route to Glenelg. We had a look at the museum and along the beach and then got some lunch. We ran into quite a few others from the cruise there too. Then Fran drove us back around north Adelaide, dropping us off at the station. We got a train back to the ship and met quite a few from the ship on the journey. We walked onto the ship and Fran got back an hour or so later. We had tea, then after a bit of a stroll I went to bed and Fran went out to watch a show.

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Awake and up at 0600, dressed for my now obligatory walk, out at 0610 and three turns around the deck. Met up again with the chap who had been a plumber. Then back to the cabin, had a shower and dressed and up for breakfast. Had breakfast and then down, got the computer, back to the Wheelhouse Bar and set up for Internet access. Checked email and such and uploaded photos and blogs. Found out that most of the photos didn’t upload, so decided I’d fix them up this evening. Got off the ship, got a Seniors’ Metcard and then took the tram in to Clarendon St. Off and walked down to City Road and up to Clarke St and into the Blood Bank. In and on the machine for platelets fairly quickly (149 Hb and only 305 platelet count, so I was on the machine for 53 minutes, my longest yet). I was off just after 1100, so after sausage rolls and cheese, I was onto a tram in Kingsway by 1133. I got off at La Trobe and William, walked past Flagstaff Gardens and then through the Queen Vic markets. Then I went down Elizabeth St and got a call from Pat – they were in Collins and walking down to Elizabeth. We met at the corner and took the tram back to Port Melbourne and had lunch at D’Lishe Fish and Chips. Velma went back on the ship and Pat and I went back to the city. I took him to the Mall, down various arcades to Flinders St, saw Fed Square and Chloe (in Young and Jacksons), walked up to and through Chinatown and to Parliament House. WE took a tram up to Collingwood, then back to Victoria Parade, and then did the City Circle along Spring, Flinders and through Docklands. We got off in Swanston St (saw the Shrine along the street) and then caught the tram back to the ship. I carried on some beer for Pat, then I finished the Internet business. Fran and I had tea, then Fran went to phone the boys (we were still in the bay, just north of Sorrento) and I photographed the setting sun. Chatted to Denise, then caught up with her and showed her Graphic Converter and sunsets from other places. Gave her a copy of my book (it may lead to sales in Tamworth) and then headed off to bed.

Thursday 17 March 2011

Awake and up at 0600, dressed for my now obligatory walk, out at 0610 and four turns around the deck. Still dark, but quite a few other vessels out at sea. Didn’t meet up with the chap who had been a plumber as he was half a deck length in front of me. Then back to the cabin, had a shower and dressed and up for breakfast. Had breakfast and then down to the Vista Lounge for the address on the Captain’s Circle from Amanda and Velma. Pat is apparently not that well. After that I went to the Lundromat (according to the directions, but spelt correctly on the door), did a load of whites then coloureds, and wrote up my blog at the same time. After all that was finished, Fran and I went up for lunch. We had that out on the deck – from the grill. The only seats we could find were with two ladies – one was from – wait for it – Werribee – and is a relative of a member of Lions and lives near me. The other was Jackie, an entertainer on the ship who is leaving in Adelaide. We had a good chat, Jackie left and then Fran went off to a talk on weight loss and acupuncture. Kathy and I chatted a bit, then I went off to write up more of my blog and check to see if there was anything I wanted to see tonight.
During the day we started off south of Warrnambool and by lunch we were off Mt Gambier. Tonight we should be rounding Kangaroo Island.
I wrote up some of my blog in the Wheelhouse, then chatted with Cliff before going to an early tea. I was ready to go into the Princess Theatre when Cliff saw me and told me my two girls had gone to Horizons, so I went back up and chatted with them and Pt while they all had tea. During the meal there were whales sighted off the starboard side. I went into the theatre and reserved seats for Fran and me. Fran came in late after getting a text message for Fay, who IS still having trouble with her mobile. Then Jackie Love came on and began her act. She was singing very well until she got Robert (from Southern California) and me up for a trio performance of “C’est si bon” – but even so we got a good round of applause. Then Jackie finished with a wonderful round of varied songs. I got a picture with her after and then Fran got another call for Fay – so we ended up finding her and getting her talking to the granddaughter. Then Fran went up for a very late tea and it was back ti the cabin and off to sleep after writing up my blog.

Monday 15 March 2011

Awake with the alarm at 0600 but snoozed until 0610. Up and dressed for a quick walk and then three turns around the deck. Back, showered and dressed. Up and had breakfast (Fran still in bed) and chatted with a woman from Sydney and two ladies from Murwillumbah. Mostly chatted about computers and learning about them. Then down to get the computer and up to the Wheelhouse, onto the Internet and checked my email, uploaded the photos and sent some emails. Also tried to help a lady (Fay) with her mobile, but no luck. I took the number and tried it during the morning with no luck. Took the computer back to the cabin and then found Fran having breakfast.
After, we left the ship at 0915 and walked down the dock and found Mures, then found Louise and Peter arriving about 0935. We met, then walked over to Salamanca Place. We had coffee, they had brunch, at the Laundromat café. After, I got the Melbourne papers and a Hobart paper, and we all walked slowly back to the ship. I went back and got a copy of my book to give to Peter, Louise and Andrew. I signed it and passed it over. We continued to walk, and along the way we had to stop for a swing bridge, but it didn’t swing after five minutes. We walked around, but they opened the gate for pedestrians just as we rounded the pool. We said goodbye and parted at the dock entrance, next to the Bob Barker (Sea Shepherd). There was a line so it took a few minutes to board. Once on board we went to the Promenade Deck (7 - the one I walk around) and watched the ship ease out and into the Derwent. We stood near Fay, who explained that the person she was trying to contact had been waiting for her at the dock since 0630. She also explained that the number was wrong, only the cat would have answered, but that her mobile was still operating incorrectly. Once out, we met up with Pat and had lunch out on the open top deck, but it was quite windy and cool out of the sun. After lunch Pat and I went inside and chatted, but he soon had to go off to ease the pain in his back. Fran went up to have a cup of tea and then went to read in the Wheelhouse (bar). I walked the deck for a mile or so, gently, then went to the Wheelhouse bar and caught up with Fran, Cliff from yesterday and his friend Alan. We chatted and then Pat came along. After 1800 Velma was able to finish and we went up to have tea. Tea was fairly quick (the serving assistant at the ice cream twisted my arm again so I had to take more ice cream) but after we chatted about our family history. It was amazing there were so many parallels even though we lived on different continents and there were so many gaps we each had missed out on and it didn’t look like we would ever find out correctly. Then we looked at the show briefly (II didn’t think I looked like the accordionist that the Chinese from Sydney thought I was) and then Velma and Pat headed off and so did we. Fran settled into bed to read while I did a quick mile around the deck (I’ve managed to reduce it from 19 to 18 and now to 17 minutes when I walk briskly). Back to the cabin, write up this blog, copy and shrink the photos and then I was off to bed.

Sunday 13 March 2011

Awake and up not long after 0600 and then dressed for three quick laps of the deck with Tom and Susan. Chatted as we went around, but on the last lap the bow section was closed off. I went to the starboard side and waved to Fran’s friend Louise but got no answering wave. Then into the cabin, showered and dressed. I went up to breakfast and Fran followed. We were tied up in port at Hobart. After that I took the computer up to the Wheelhouse Bar and plugged it in, set up the Internet and got the mail, checked on Facebook and posted the photos from yesterday. Chatted with Pat and we decided we would each go our own way. Tried to help a lady who couldn’t call a relative, but no luck. Then off the ship at 0920 and along the dock and met Louise at Mure’s. Louise drove us out to Risdon Dam, where we walked around the dam to get some exercise and work off breakfast. Then, to add to our weight problems, Louise drove us to Richmond where we had lunch at the Richmond Bakery. After lunch we headed off to Berridale where we visited MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), sponsored and owned by David Walsh (who made his millions gambling, set up this art museum and opens it free to the public. We got our Os to give us written commentary on the items and started off in the lower basement and worked our way up. The art was a mixture of old Egyptian and modern contemporary. The content was, well, eclectic. If you want a description you’ll either have to ask or visit it yourself. After that we went to Louise’s house, had afternoon tea and were shown around the garden. Louise then took us back to the ship and we were on by 1800. We looked at the menu at the Florentine Room, but there wasn’t much for me so we decided to eat in Horizons, where we could get what we wanted. We sat with a couple from Wellington. Memo to self: beware of staff members who bend arms up backs to make you have four scoops of ice cream for dessert. After that narrow escape, Fran went off to Vista to get seats for the Tasmania Police Pipe Band while I dropped back and told Velma and Pat of our plans. They had been into Hobart and had fish and chips, but weren’t adventurous enough to have a potato cake. We watched the Pipe Band (very good) and some Highland Dancing, sitting with a couple from Port Stephens. That went from 1945 until 2020. Fran went off to get a cup of tea while I processed my photos for the day and went off for three laps of the deck. Kept running into the group of Chinese from Sydney (and I have to find a Chinese joke for them by tomorrow evening). I went back to get my camera to get some night shots, and some of the group asked if I was one of the entertainers on board. I assured them I wasn’t, by choice. Took some photos of the surrounds of Hobart by night and some of the top deck. Back to the cabin, processed those photos and then wrote up my diary. Must establish and keep to the routine of writing up each night. Put batteries and mobile on to charge, then off to bed.

Saturday 12 March 2011

Awake at 0600 but not up until 0740. Showered and dressed, then up for breakfast once Fran had finished. Had breakfast outside Horizons, chatted with a lady from Canberra (Griffith). Back to the cabin and dropped the GPS off and then went walking. Met and chatted to Tom (and Susan) from Minnesota – retired CPA. Chatted about Australia and the US, comparing things and facts.
Did seven laps and then back to the cabin and picked up the laptop and pad, and up to the lounge near Velma. Chatted briefly to her, then went into the lounge and typed up my diary. No mobile telephone signal. We were just south of Point Everard (Gabo Island) while having breakfast, travelling about 36 km/hr. Caught up with Pat, then went back to the cabin to get the adaptor for the laptop. Plugged that in, processed photos. Pat came along after, then Fran showed up. I showed Pat some photos of Australia on the laptop. Velma finished, then we all went up to Horizons for lunch. By 1300 Pat and Velma were off, and Fran and I did three laps (one mile, 1.6 km) of the promenade deck (7). We attended the “Who is it” quiz, then Fran went off for her facial and I walked back. Ran into Diane and granddaughter – gave her my card. Went into the lounge and did some computer work – checked email, but not anything else due to high charges. Chatted to Cliff from Sydney and showed some others St Nazaire, where I saw a cruise ship being built. Velma waved as she went past. Stayed there until 1745 when Fran said she wanted to get ready for dinner, but she wasn’t there. Velma came past at 1800 and said Fran was having her facial, that she won, done. I went back to the cabin, then found Fran heading off to dinner and Pat and Velma dressed up ready to go. I had dinner in Horizons and then went to the champagne waterfall. Velma introduced me to the captain and then I chatted with some other crew. Chatted with an ex-USAF pilot from Denver and then saw the Champagnefall. Took some pictures, then went back to the cabin, left everything and did three laps of the deck. After that I chatted with a lady on deck from Sydney (St Marys) and then eventually went back to the cabin and into bed. Off to sleep about 2230.

Friday 11 March 2011

Awake at after 0700 as I had killed the alarms on both mobiles. Uploaded all photos to Flickr and finished other downloads. Started to pack everything up. Fran slow to get up, but I had a shower and dressed. Checked that I could borrow a stapler and about taxis (could book one, but they were down the street fairly often). I went down the street and got papers to read and some scrolls and rolls to eat. I came back, we finished everything in the room and booked out at 1000. Sat out the front and read the papers. About 1130 I looked out and found a taxi fairly soon. Loaded everything up and we were to the terminal by 1155. Put luggage in, then went into the terminal and got paperwork, filled it all out and had to wait until the boarding number (7) was called. Then I remembered that I had my Stanley knife and screwdriver with me and I saw the security screening. We got called and went through Customs/Immigration and then through screening. I set everything off and found it was the coins and torch in my pockets. They didn’t pick up the screwdriver or knife, so I can’t understand why they were so worried about me setting the detector off.
We were on board fairly quickly and found our cabin and … it had been set up with a double bed, not two singles! Off to the purser and, after a wait, we were assured it would be fixed up. Then we had some lunch and went off to find cousin Velma. I found her office, but she wasn’t there. Then while chatting to another staff member, Velma and Pat literally ran into us. After quick intros, we then had a quick drink together and caught up with some news. Velma went to work while we went off to our muster drill. After, we went up and watched the ship pull out of port. We were surrounded by New Zealanders (and were at lunch too). After the ship left the dock just after 1600, the stern was turned around (the bow remained stationary) and we slowly sailed out with a Sydney Harbour escort vessel. At around 1700 we cleared the heads (with a P&O ship ahead, which turned north while we headed off to the south). Fran read up on what’s on while I went up to Level 7 and wrote up part of my diary. At 1800 I finished up and ran into Pat waiting for Velma. He had flown in from the US, Denver to LA, LA to Sydney and was very tired, as was Velma. I’m a bit tired now, as once on the ship now I don’t have to worry about anything (except what and when to eat, and to pick up my suit in Adelaide. They headed off and I got Fran and we had tea in Horizons (buffet dining area). Then we had a quick look around, Fran headed off to the cinema and I went back to my cabin (via a chat with Diane and her granddaughter from Wollongong, about touring, shopping and skiing [her niece is a ski instructor at St Moritz and Perisher], so I must ask her about Nancy, who I met three times in Innsbruck on 11 May, 2008). I wrote up my diary, watched some TV and tried to get to sleep early.

Thursday 10 March 2011

Awake about 0600 but not up until after 0700. Showered, changed and had a drink of water. Arranged things and left the room after Fran had her shake, about 0830. We walked down along Glebe Point Road and looked at the shops on the other side of the road. Saw a place and bought day passes for the public transport. I realised I’d forgotten shoe polish, so asked a local walking his dog where I could get it. He directed us to Broadway Shopping Centre, further down. Walked past a small playground with birds having a freebie graze, then into the shopping centre by 0845. Found Mr Minit, got polish, then to BiLo and got magazines and paper. Walked through shopping centre and then along Broadway, then down Wattle towards Darling Harbour. Called into a factory seconds shop and had a look. Walked to light rail, but passes don’t work on that so we walked to outside the Maritime Museum. Saw a few interesting sights along the way. Caught a bus at the museum and got off at Circular Quay. Caught the Manly ferry over and back, then had lunch at Hungry Jacks there (memo to self – no freebie fills there!). Caught ferry around to Darling Harbour and walked up to where the ship will leave tomorrow. Then back and caught the ferry back to Circular Quay and then the train around to Central. Took the 431 bus back and got off at Broadway Shopping centre again. Got drinks, then saw a movie – The Long Way – about escapees from a Siberian Gulag. Interesting. Out about 1820 after we had both missed calls from Ashley. Walked back along Glebe Point Road and bought scrolls for tea. Back to the hostel and then walked down to Glebe Point. Sat there and saw rowing crews (looked like Dragon Boats, not sculls). Back to the hostel and settled into room. Fran read and did puzzles, I downloaded photos, shrank them and prepared them for Flickr. Charged mobiles and iPods, checked Internet. Off to sleep about 2300.

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Awake again before the alarm went off at 0600. Up, boiled the kettle, made tea and then showered and dressed. Packed everything up and packed the car while Fran finished. Left the motel at 0705 and out onto the Sturt Highway. Overcast weather and 18°, with an occasional shower. Good run and through into Wagga Wagga. Filled up the tank at Shell and bought the papers. Over to the Hume Highway with the weather appearing to improve. Stopped at Gundagai South for an early lunch about 1130. Left and good run north. Stopped at Goulburn for an ice cream and comfort break. Very slow run into Sydney and arrived at the Glebe YHA about 1630. Found parking just outside, so booked in (no problems) and unloaded the car. We had rung David to arrange parking for ARTIE, and left the hostel at 1700 after a quick look around. The traffic going out was bad 9peak hour plus traffic accidents) so we didn’t arrive at Rooty Hill until 1815. Sat and chatted, with ARTIE staying next door under cover. Left about 1920 and David ran us to Mt Druitt station – we arrived just as a train left. Got our $2.50 all-day travel cards and got the next train at 1953. Arrived at Central and found the bus station just as the 431 left. Waited until 2120 for the next one. Quick run out to the Hostel and settled in. Fran got changed and went to bed. I looked around and chatted to a girl from Germany and a guy from Canberra. Back to the room about 2230 and connected up, checked email and then went to bed.

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Awake before 0600 local time in Adelaide. Checked email and loaded podcasts. Then up at 0615 and had breakfast of toast and tea. Got the paper and read it, put the turtle in the bath and fed him. Had a shower and dressed. Finished packing and then loaded the car. Fran up and ready so we left by 0730. Round to the Shell and filled the tank – then Fran remembered she may not have put the bedroom fan off so we went back. Left again at 0745.
Had a slow but good run up to Main North Road. Slow run out of Adelaide, then a good run along the Sturt Highway. Weather overcast and occasional rain. Got to Mildura about 1230 with far warmer weather. Had lunch at Hungry Jacks, then did some shopping at the centre there. Left about 1330. Filled up with petrol in Buronga, then had a good run across to Hay. Quite a few heavy transports on the road (semis and B-doubles). Motel not on the SatNav (old map) in ARTIE, but found the motel in the main street, by 1630. Booked in with the same woman I had booked with on Saturday. Unpacked into the room and then we walked along the street, north on the east side and back along the west side. Read all the plates about the history of various buildings while walking.
Had cups of tea and biscuits for tea. Set up the Telstra USB wireless modem for Internet, put in the credit I had bought, and checked emails. Read the Herald Sun and the Age, then did the Sodoku and the crossword. Into bed by 2030 to try to get an early night because we have to be off early tomorrow to drive to Sydney.
All of the countryside was green from the recent rains and floods, all the rivers were up and there were still many areas still under water. The roads were obviously damaged from the water and some were already being reconstructed.