Saturday, 26 October 2013
Given the stone floor I'd been careful to void the bladder before retiring. Even though I was wearing a pair of socks the thought of cold stone wasn't a prospect I fancied. A drinker's bladder, on the other hand, doesn't have to be emptied all that often, and a glass of Riesling and a litre or so of water wasn't going to be a serious overnight issue.
But it pays to be cautious when you're decidedly averse to cold feet.
Actually, when I sprang into action in the morning, I found the stone floor remarkably neutral. Interesting.
Still, it wasn't that early when I emerged, body clock well and truly synchronized into the cold weather regime. The wind was still doing its thing outside, though it seemed to have dropped a notch or two. I hurled myself at the rain room, dressed in what I hoped would be an adequate layer of protection for the conditions outside and tapped out another bit of travelogue while Madam did the same.
Then, around seven-thirty, it was time for breakfast.
Our host had been a little bemused when we'd specified that particular time slot, but it suited our plans and they were going to be catering for another couple, so why not?
We'd heard the other couple had something to do with the Hobart Show, which was in the process of winding down, and they were already tucking into breakfast when we arrived. Conversation over the breakfast table revealed that if they'd had their druthers they'd still have been tucked up in bed, but there was an issue with free parking for show people, which apparently closed off at eight, so the early breakfast was de rigeur.
I didn't quite manage to catch what it was they actually do on the show circuit, but whatever it is they do it on a circuit that takes hem from Port Douglas to half way across the Nullarbor, so I gather they've built up a list of comfortable places to stop and interesting things to do along the way that would help to stave off a dash of ennui.
Their solution to a case of what Fred Dagg described as The Henries when they stop in Bowen is, we were told once we'd indicated our point of origin, to head down to the Duck Hole and buy a couple of mud crabs.