All windows open last night approx 20deg, put tent down before having shower as leaving camp .Rose feels a bit better today, went to local IGA for food, they do the offer where they give a discount off if you show a recipt for fuel, our shopping came to $52 gave the girl the receipt showing 60ltrs = $2.40 she put through 600ltrs so reduced bill by $24 (what a result). On drive towards Ballerat(countryside very dry)
we stopped at Daylesford , a very quaint touristy town with lots of eateries. took a photo of some ice cream cones made into table and chairs,
so cute. Treated ourselfs to an ice cream each Colin had Mango Rose had Lemon they were some of the beat ices ever, and we were undercharged by a dollar(must be a lucky day). Decided to camp up at Slaty Creek Campground just south of Creswick for the night, it is very shady and has a nice breeze. Its nice to sit and not bake. After dinner rang Marion for a catch chat, which was nice, shame she goes back to work tomorrow.
3 January Tuesday
Do Kookaburras ever sleep? Took ages to get to sleep with the insects and Kookaburras chatting away to each other (noisey neighbours again). slow start to the day, and not so hot here probably due to the shade provided by the trees, decided to stay put for today. Went on internet and caught up on emails and before we knew it, it was lunchtime, hasn't been as hot as expected due to cloud cover. When ranger cam round he stopped for a chat, he saw the motor and had to stop, he told us 12 months ago our camp was under several feet of water. Went onto AULRO to see if there is a mechanic to fit a new rear diff seal, ours is leaking and Colin can't move the nut, left a request for what we needed. Later checked and several people had given us leads, will try Rover Parts in Ballarat first as they might know of a local mechanic. Lit BBQ again, it worked but was slow getting to heat. As eating dinner a defender trayback went past and driver waved, later on he came back and stopped to look at motor, we were talking to Ross for about 2 hours. He had just replaced his rear diff seal and he suggested Rover Parts as well. He is a Brit car enthusiast, he has a Mk1 excort that he is rebuilding, a Ford Cargo that he can't get parts for in Oz and a Triumph 595i that he is rebuilding, really nice bloke and he left his phone number should we need any further help. Late to bed.
4 January Wednesday
Bad night got cold, Rose left front door of tent unzipped. Wind got up and it started thundering but no rain. didn't wake till 8.30am. Colin put diff seal into soak. Problem with fridge charging again. Decided to leave tent and visit Rover Parts. Met great chap Sean and his wife Julie, family business next to their home, they originally came from Kenya. Sean couldn't wait to look ove the LRover and even took photos. He eventually gave us details of 3 LRover mechanics locally, then offered Colin the use of his workshop, ramp and tools but he would have to do work himself, what a result, he even offered us part of his land to camp on (they only have 13 acres not sure if enough room ). they swapped stickers and we agreed to turn up tomorrow morning.
Sean has a problem with his Rangie and Colin offered Rose's services on AULRO to assist him. Had a look on internet and came up with either Solenoid or earth. Went back to Ballarat centre and Gold Museum which is next to Sovereign Hills Historical Centre , unfortunately only had time for museum, which took us 2 hours, all about the start of the gold rush in Victoria in the 1850s. All the gold ever dug meaures 19yards cubed. Back at a camp a few new arrivals even a caravan. had a walk after dinner and got talking to a couple in a homemade camper, he is in the army and she comes from Tenterfield originall, small world, then another couple who were telling us place to visit along the Ocean Road. got cold standing around.
5 January Thursday
It was so cold last night Colin got up and got the big sleeping bag out. Slept late this morning, it is jumper weather out of the sun, very windy.
Arrive at Sean's just before 10.30am, he told Colin chatting to him had given him the impetus to sort his Rangie, and it turned out to be a bad wire causing the problem. He got ours in and on the ramp straightaway and showed Colin where his tools were and left him to it. To get the nut loosened Rose had to sit in the LRover at top of ramp stamping on the brakes, it worked, in no time at all the diff seal was changed and new oil put in it, took just about half an hour. Saying our goodbyes Sean and Julie reiterated if back in area we are welcome to camp on their land. What a lovely couple and so helpful to strangers, will recommend their parts service to anybody travelling in that area. Popped into Aldi then onto Meredith Park at Lake Colac for campsite via Scarsdale, Cape Clear and Rokewood. Very flat dry agricultural land
but much better than any main road. campsite is lovely (flushing toilets) shame about the wind, right on lakeside. Colin thinks too windy for fishing. Can see the lake right in front of us.
Reading on the internet that 2 years ago the lake had no water it had been dry for a number of years. After dinner a Maui campervan pulled in, we got talking to the family of 3, they had moved to Oz from Colombia (South America) 12 years ago and live in Brisbane, they are at the end of their holiday and were surprised the campsite was free. Went to bed early as cold and tired.
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