Kanazawa to Togi The news all cyclists dread. Rain and strong winds as we wake and as we look out at breakfast time things are swirling in the air. Stoke up with food the get the metabolism generating heat. Eventually we were off at 8.20 into the headwind, on the cycleway by the river, until we hit the sea. Joy, the wind is on our tail and the rain eases a little as we fly north along the coast. Passing by plastic litter and old small boats on the tidal line swept up by a violent sea. The cycle path was in very good condition with smooth Tarmac and concrete with the occasional sandbar across our way, which on one occasion brought Tim down who immediately got up before I had time to photograph him - ... read more

Off on another adventure tomorrow to Honshu, Japan, for two weeks. Flying to Frankfurt on Lufthansa and then onto Osaka before taking the train to Kanazawa. Then sixteen of us cycling across from west to east from Cape to Cape. Noto Peninsua to Izu peninsula. I love Japan. Attached a few photos taken on Kyushu last year.... read more

Return to Melbourne Fortunately the laughing ferry steward was off duty today. I don't think I could have endured another crossing with his dour face. We had a cheerful lady instead. The train was waiting for the ferry so Sugan caught it to meet friends in Melbourne in the afternoon. The rest of the group, 9 now from a full complement of 12, rode north to Frankston following the coast as much as possible, which took in a really pleasant boardwalks through the mangrove swamps for several miles. Unfortunately we got behind some pensioners on blunderbus bikes on the boardwalk for about a mile at such a steady pace I nearly fell over. There was no way to overtake without causing them to do a headstand in the swamp so I was on my best behaviour ... read more

Sorrento and French Island Our injured rider came back from hospital last night just as we arrived at the Sorrento Beach Motel after our Itslian dinner. The dinner price was OK but the wine was $54 and $40 per bottle - extortion. As we approached the motel in darkness we saw the bus which had gone off its route to drop off Sugan and Joanne. What a great driver and he made no charge. Sugan was walking very badly with assistance and still unsteady and in pain, though with full memory again. The following day she was still unsteady and so we arranged a taxi to take her to Stony Point whilst we rode into Rye to buy her a new helmet. On to Balnarring for lunch and then to Stony Point to meet Sugan and ... read more

Torquay to Geelong Moby’s for breakfast on the Esplanade. A bit of an eccentric place but serving excellent food. Porridge was with quinoa and laced with all sorts of touches including mint. Very tasty I believe. A nice run out if town along the beech front before taking the Horseshoe bend road towards Geelong. Straight as a die apart from, of course the horseshoe bend. After taking left and going on Boundary Road towards Waurn Ponds Station we were offered a bit of adventure in the form of a post and wire fence and locked gate ahead. This was just after the point where I was overtaken by a kangaroo 15 months ago. Never to be deterred we took off our panniers and hoofed our bikes over the fence and trotted across the bypass onto the ... read more