Greenedge Ride and Shepparton Visit

Vic and John made the very brave and heroic decision to drive from Sydney to SHepparton with Maddie (4 years old) and Mia (2 years old) and Rolo (the teenage puppy) using the tent as accommodation. Its an 8 hour drive and they thought it a good ice breaker for a trip later this month down to Geelong for Xmas.

Well it all worked out fine. No car sickness and the girls and Rolo behaved amicably towards each other despite the cramped conditions.

Steve, Regan, Owen and Alannah were wonderful hosts. The kids enjoying each others company to the fullest.

John encouraging Rolo to go for a swim in the Broken River.

Maddie and Mia enjoying a cool off in the lake at Shepparton.

John chose to do the 140 klm ride which took in some decent hill climbs up behind Yea, whilst Vic and I did the 50 klm ride from the Michelton Winery to Seymour along the picturesque Goulburn River.

Do you like my tu-tu?

At Michelton Winery for the after ride picnic.

A well deserved "holiday ice cream" on our return back to Shep after the picnic and ride.

This girl really knows how to enjoy holiday ice cream.

Morning tea with cousins.

Thanks for having us Stev, Regan, Owen and Alannah.

Melbourne to Cowes to San Remo to Wonthaggi to to Korumburra to Warragul Ride

For this ride I caught the train from Marshal Station up to Melbourne then on to  Mentone where I caught up with Clive.
By chance the Littles were on their way to check out the Meyer Christmas Windows display. Great to catch u[p.

We then cycled down to Stony Point mainly along new cycle tracks, courtesy of the new ring road developments.

Train travel with the MyKey Card was very cheap at less than $5.00.

Managed to find a Marples chisel in one of the many old wares stores Clive managed to hunt out.

From Stony Point it is a short ferry trip to Cowes where we stayed overnight. Great meal at the RSL. The Arthur Phillip Motor Inn was stingy on hot water and tea an biscuits.

 

 

 Waiting for the ferry at Stony Point

 After the ferry and overnight stay at Cowes a short ride to San Remo saw us taking in the view before coffee and cake at a local café.

 From San Remo to Wonthaggi  there is a very nice Rail Trail which takes in beaches and ocean views. Some of the track is cut up where local horse riders have been using it after rain and before the track dries and hardens.

 This bridge is the original rail bridge, probable a bit rickety for trains but ok for the ocassional cyclist.

 

 

Below is the view from Cape Patterson. the Cycling from here to Inverloch is excellent with many headlands and beaches to see.

 

 

The ride from Inverloch to Warragul took us up over the hills and then down on to the Great Southern Road, which was relatively car free and beautifully green.

Big Day At the Markets for Gaye Today

Down at the Sunday market this morning - nothing of interest for me, but Gaye couldn't help but find things she never knew she needed but had to be rescued for the grand total of $35.

The pottery is somewhat unique and rare. It is fired by a process called raku. This is a difficult and lengthy process using straw for firing and a fire which needs tending all night. The result is a lovely individual  and unpredictable finish with lots of character.

Now THAT'S What I Call a Chisel

My latest acquisition from ebay... The Mother of all chisels...

Weighing in at 2kg, that's a little over 4 lbs, this 'il beauty comes from a time when commercially made chisels were either unavailable or too expensive. Yet to try a cut with it, but I am sure by the way it's held its edge and given the amount of work it has see over the years, it will be a keeper.

Some pics from Saturday.

Tom Smeaton took some great pics of Phantom.

Consistency Wins the Day

Subject: Consistency Wins the Day

Second on handicap today , Race 6, after our first last week and despite our handicap going up 2.5%.

I turned my gps on half way up the first leg, so no data for that leg, however here are the times for each work and each run yesterday.

Work 1. No data. OCS. Returned to start.

Run 1.   15 min. Most efficient run with excellent clean jibe.

Work 2. 24 min. Best work.  Gamble paid off. Left side of course favoured.

Run 2.   16 min. No jib only cost 1 min.

Work 3. 26 min. Sailed medium right side of course. Consolidated gains.

Run 3.   17 min. Late spinnaker drop only cost 1 min.

Work 4. 25 min. Hard right side.  Consolidated gains.

Course 3.75 kilometres.

Wind 25 k. Gusts to 30k

Wind direction 185 deg. Gradient type. Oscl 8 minutes.

Time 2.5 hours.

Bottom mark dragged 22 m.

Recent Shepparton Visit

After an altication with a truck and some panel damage, Regans car was ready to be picked up and returned to Shepparton. Great excuse to see th g/c's.