24 December

After leaving Fran's at 8:30 and picking up on thing at Ashley's and dropping of another at one of Fran's friends, we finally headed out of Adelaide about 8:30 along the freeway through the Adelaide hills. The temperature was in the low tens and the sky was cloudy, so there was no sun glare. The occasional shower gave the wipers the occasional workout.

 

We stopped for a quick break in Coonalpyn and then turned off the Dukes Highway at Keith onto the Riddoch Highway. Another quick stop followed at Willalooka and then a longer stop at Penola for eating sandwiches and getting the Melbourne papers. A good run down to Mt Gambier was followed by a slower run across to Port Fairy, with many slower and older drivers on the road.

 

We stopped in Port Fairy to say hello to Doris and see the renovations Sandra and Peter were doing. Then it was a slower run to Geelong and up to Werribee. Here we stopped for tea at the RSL (the first time I have eaten a meal in the general dining area) and to refuel (845 km for 73.60 litres – 8.71 L / 100 km, not the best consumption I’ve had).

 

We left at 8:30 and arrived, after a slow trip down the Nepean Highway, at our motel at 9:30. We booked in and then dropped around to say hello to Jason, Lisa and Vanda. After leaving there just after 11, it was back to the motel for a well-earned sleep.