Melbourne and Ballarat

We survived Melbourne. The day started for us on the car ferry from Tasmania and we drove into Melbourne's gloomy and rainy weather at about 7am. After booking into the hotel, Tricia and I took a taxi over to the ABC studio for an interview with Clare Bowditch. I hadn't heard of Clare before but she was pleasantly friendly and told me she's had Down to Earth as her bedside table book for the past couple of years. Later my publicist, Rhiann, told me Clare is a very well known singer and after looking for her on You Tube, I've decided to buy one of her CDs. She's fabulous. After the interview we went to a few book shops to sign books and then back to the hotel for a cuppa, then out again, this time to Hawthorne where I knew a few people from the forum would be waiting. Hanno came with me and Tricia stayed at the hotel to rest.

Hanno and friends having lunch in Lorne on the Great Ocean Road.

Here I am with the lovely Sarah in Launceston. Sarah was a charming woman who came along to the book shop with her daughter Audrey and mother. I'll remember our talk for a long time.

 And this is Rhian, my Penguin publicist, at Readings in Hawthorne.

The troops were gathering here. This is just before the Readings talk with women from the forum in the front row and me checking out the mic.

Sure enough, Gina, Kay, Jess, Char and a few others were there at Readings. I gave my talk, signed some books and meet a delightful boy called Kyle who brought Hanno and I a packet of melting moments, made with his own hands. They were delicious Kyle, thank you for your generosity. I hope you keep going with your passion for baking, you've got a talent for it.

 The river at Deloraine, Tasmania.

The view from the hotel room, we were in China town, Melbourne. Below is the scene inside the room. The bedroom was in another room.

I was happy to leave the busyness, noise and stress of Melbourne and to drive along the Great Ocean Road. From there we went to a bed and breakfast in Ballarat for two nights. This morning we met more wonderful people who had been driving from near and far to meet us. I love talking to them all and hearing their stories. Often we receive homemade gifts, it's a really beautiful experience.  Tomorrow we're off to Bendigo, then Echuca and on to Wagga Wagga next week.

I hope you're all well and happy, I know there are many of you reading about our travels because I've been told that, so there'll be a few more on-the-road posts in the coming days. Take care, friends. xx  I'm going to have a long sleep soon, I hope.