Sat, 17th Jan, 2015 Geeveston RSL Memorial Park

At 3.33am it was 13.5 degrees in the van.

At 8.30am it was 12.3 degrees in the van so more jumpers on. It is very windy and the rain is still coming down. The Kermandie Rivulet/River has risen again and flowing fast – no chance of seeing a platypus anytime soon.

Though mother duck took her duckling for a swim.

All our activities are walks etc so looks like it will be a quiet day in the van.

Watched the chainsaw carving competition on sunrise this morning. Amazing skills. The rain is coming in scuds so we have bright sunshine for a while then the rain would pelt down. The wind is constant. We are sheltered here so not getting buffeted by the wind. Steve took down the water catcher as we are full and so are the buckets.

After soup and open grill for lunch and a warm cup of tea as we are freezing I prepared a lovely stew in the Ecopot for dinner. Made a lovely date slice and some scones. I have experimented with scone recipes and I use long life cream and a little mineral water and it made a lovely light scone. My little oven works well. We are getting 2+ weeks out of a gas bottle which is working out ok (the fridge is on that when we are stopped).

It alternated all day between bright sunshine then pouring rain. During one of the sunny bits went outside to enjoy the sun – not very warming though. Met our neighours, Ian and Helen.

Enjoying watching the Highlands 101 car race in New Zealand with a few of the V8 drivers driving GT sports stars. Looks an amazing track and it is owned by Tony Quinn who is the owner of VIP Pet Foods. Craig Baird’s car in 1^st is running out of fuel and Garth Tander is charging at him to take the lead – reminds us of Phillip Island when Garth ran out of fuel!!

Cold miserable day with splashes of sunshine. At 5.40pm it was 11.8 degrees. Pete & Penny who we met at Mole Creek have pulled in and came over to say hello.

Put the heater on and finished uploading my blogs. Put up some photos on Facebook and had a few chats online. The wind is getting a bit stronger – giving the van a shack occasionally. 7pm 10 degrees.

Mum and Dad are in Smithton.