Cycling World Cup

It was the first time I'd been to live indoor track cycling and it was really impressive. There was a full programme of finals, and a wide selection of events, including time trials, pursuits, points race, scratch race and the keirin. Australia pipped Great Britain in the final of the men's team pursuit and the crowd loved it, but the highlight of our night was the men's scratch race where NZer Tom Scully rode brilliantly to win gold.

Woman's points race, which was also really good to watch



NZ men's team pursuit who smashed the Dutch in the race for bronze



The half time entertainment was another highlight with the history of cycling on display, including the hobby horse, the first 'bike' ever made, with no pedals.



Penny Farthing



And a selection of others, inlcluding a pedal driven tricycle

Hobart

A quick weekend trip to Hobart to visit Katie and Alastair was never going to be as enjoyable as I'd hoped when I got landed with 20 hours of pre reading to do before a course on the following Monday. Nevertheless, we visited the markets, a beer festival, wandered the waterfront and all around the gardens. It was a nice quiet weekend.

Salamanca markets, easy to fill in a few hours here



Salamanca Square and fountain.



Harbour, looking out to the Derwent river



Henry Jones art hotel

Melbourne and Surrounds

A few snaps from some day trips around and about:

First, a few days with Jenny and Lawrence which included the following:

A trip to the races at Yarra Glen, on Cox Plate day (they play the city races on a big screen)



Looking out over the city from the Shrine of Remembrance



The scariest ride at Luna Park



Looking towards Melbourne from the North east



Then, on the first weekend of November when the mercury flowed over 35 degrees, a trip out to Maroondah reservoir, one of Melbourne's water sources. Its fair to say we struggled in the heat and didn't do much but we are getting better.



On Melbourne Cup day, a public holiday, we went with Josh and Jody for a flying visit to Geelong and on to Queenscliff.



Geelong has a variety of these 'human poles' along the waterfront.