GVBR day 2

My word it's cold this morning and cloudy.  Lucky I slept with my clothes for today as my pillow and they are a little warmed up.  Breakfast calls.  And a cup of tea.

Lots of people heading out as early as they can but we just get going at our own pace.The ride today is very pleasant, good riding weather, but of a tail wind , few hills. Just what a cyclist enjoys.

We sat on the cricket pitch in the middle of the oval for lunch as it seemed the least dusty place.  How could such a lovely day turn on us with a headwind and a hill in the afternoon? Ah well, that's the bike riding person's lot.

Avoca seems to be holding its own and we are treated to a riverside market with wine tasting,  sausage sizzle and other local treats.  The small supermarket seems a bit overwhelmed or it might have been that we arrived at the same time as just about every school child filling up on lollies and other snacks.

I am now lying in my tent listening to birds,  the dialogue from the film The Cup and a local musician with his bass stomp box turned up way too high and finally the phone conversation the man in the next tent is having. Think I'll put my earphones in.

GVBR day 1

Thanks Rob for dropping us of with bags and bikes before heading home.  We had a great night with Dinah and Karl,  and the last sleep in a comfortable bed for a while.

Settled into our tents (doing sleep easy this time which means someone else puts them up).  On our bikes of course for a ride around part of Lake Wendouree where there are corporate Dragon Boat races happening and I want a look at the fountain I have seen being restored on my last couple of visits. 

We head over to meet a few others at the Eureka Stockade Museum Cafe.  If you are in Ballarat I recommend you visit both, good Cafe food and coffee.

Emerged to find Lauren's flat tyre. Replaced it, pumped out up, broke the valve, flat again.  Replaced it with new tube, pumped it up and headed down to the local bike shop to replace damaged tubes.

Back to the site for a beer and dinner. The vegetarian option left a little to be desired. Boiled potatoes, boiled frozen carrots and mushrooms in sauce.  Hmmmmm. Dessert of frozen berries still frozen.  Hmmmmm again.

Cold night expected so going to bed early....  Sleep....

GVBR minus 2

I think I am not bad at packing,  right up until I start to do it.  In my head everything fits in less space, neat and tidy. Why is the reality different? I just don't understand it.

Lauren arrived today from the States and Lesley from Brisbane. It is good to be together again, another ride to look forward to.

Melbourne lived up to its reputation, rain followed by sun followed by rain followed by... you get the picture.  The cold wind is forecast to abate overnight. We all hope so.

Final bike check tomorrow, final packing, leaving town.   Ballarat here we come. Just one more run to the shops, one more load of washing,  one more repack, must be something else.  If only I could remember what it is.... It will come back to me probably about an hour after we set out. Oh well,  whatever it is I can either replace it or do without it.