Day 8 Sunday 24/11/2024 Rochester 19 – 24 Wet

Once again, we sleep soundly through a hot night and the rain begins around 7:00am. Nothing ferocious, just gentle soaking rain to soften the earth. The rest of the crew wander off to the local museum and return raving about how interesting it is. Because it will be closing at 4:00 this afternoon and won’t open again until Thursday we get our skates on and dash over there. Situated in the rooms of the old railway station building, one side is dedicated to local born champion of endurance cycling Sir Hubert Opperman OAM*. The other side of the building contains the private collection of former Puma National Promotions Manager John Forbes OAM**. Covering all sports there is an incredible array of autographed sporting paraphernalia from dozens of the world’s greatest sportspeople.

A soggy and much cooler morning

Back at camp, the last of our group arrive when Reg and The Clippie roll in and The Cabin Crew land. Regardless of the weather we walk up to the only pub that is open for dinner tonight, the Rochester Hotel. And, while I’m on the subject of pubs, of the three in town, the Criterion has come up with a bright idea. They’ve turned their bottle shop into a brightly painted ice cream and lolly shop called Milkshake Lane.

Accom: $40.15

• *Oppy as he was known to Australians and the French had a career that was more than colourful. His incredible cycling career ended with the outbreak of World War Two when he joined the RAAF and rose to the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Post war saw him stand for Federal Parliament and serve for 17 years. He then took the role of High Commissioner to Malta. He hung up the bike at his wife’s insistence at the age of 90 and died the following year. These are only a few snippets from Wikipedia, but do yourself a favour and have a read, Oppy had the endurance of a super-hero.
• **John Forbes was also a founding member of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation charity.