Hi Guys, from Halls Gap,

I checked out from the Hilton ’round 8:45, knowing that I had a short (for me) drive to my destination. I was in Ballarat just before 10:30, where I stocked up at a bakery with provisions for morning coffee and lunch. Morning coffee was taken down the road at 10:45, at an unnamed roadside rest area.

Lunch was had just after 12 at another rest area, at Cathcart (which seems to comprise just the rest area, and a tennis court). Shortly after departing from there, I noticed an interesting haystack on a hill, just before Moyston.

I arrived in Hall’s Gap just after 1, and although check-in time was nominally 2pm, my room had been cleaned, so I was able to settle in, after having done only 275km.

The wireless internet access here is free, but unfortunately, some ignorant prick of a guest recently downloaded a huge file, and they’ve been throttled to 64K. Fortunately, the billing period ticks over tomorrow, so I should have decent access for the rest of the week (I’m making this home base, before returning to Melbourne on Saturday). In addition to the free wireless broadband, I’m also getting a free cooked or continental breakfast, 15% off dinner in the restaurant, a big room, and bathroom with a spa. At $129 per night, it’s quite a bargain compared to the Hilton!

Cheers,
Julian