Pedal as close to metal as possible.

25 May was the date of return.  It got off to a more exciting start than we had expected when Frances found water all over the bathroom floor at about 0600.  That  had been there when I went at 0200.  I got a security dude up - check-in desk was not staffed until 0800 (!!!!!) - and it seemed to be coming out of the wall and dripping off the vanity unit.  This explained why the door frame looked to be water damaged. 

Problem not bilong youme.

We packed up to leave as soon as we got back from the QVM.  We got a trolley full of nice fruit, lots of sausages and some baked goods for lunch.  The market was still setting up before sunrise.

We had checked the route out of town and it all seemed fairly straightforward.  It got a tad bizarre around Sale (about 200 km out) as Google Maps dived off on to a  series of country roads which saved 2 km - remember that - and 2 minutes.  There was of course the potential that if we missed a turn - or took one too soon - we could do an extra 'n' kilometres and lose an hour.  Bugger it, stay on the main road.

Vic Roads or the City of Melbourne had one last sting in the tail of road signage .  As we came down Exhibition Street there were signs about road work, form one lane, and a huge flashing arrow pointing left at Lonsdale st.  Where were they going to divert us to?  As it turned out, nowhere: I just ignored the "Left lane must turn left" sign and carried on (quietly).

Many beeps from the eTag (but that is why we have it) and out we went.  As we got towards Dandenong we were very glad we were not heading in to the City.  We could not imagine doing that drive every day.
The only fly in our ointment was a few kilometres of tailback from a prang, but nothing compared to the mess of a couple of days ago.
No real idea what had gone on, but the small car (arrowed) had a stoved in front so I presume they had tail-ended another vehicle.
We had a comfort stop at Bruthen and got an apple scroll at the Bakery.  It was excellent.  Somewhere after Cann River we passed a red marker pole with 490 on it.  The Jetta trip meter said we had done 492 km  on the day - so the official distances obviously does the weird by pass around Sale to save the 2 km.  Of course they don't sign post that!

Overall we averaged almost exactly 80kph for the day.  560 kms in 7 hrs.  We possibly lost 20 minutes with comfort stops and refueling but I suspect 6:30 would be as good as it gets without seriously damaging the speed limits.  I can only recall one complete loonie on the trip, which was a guy who sat about 2 metres behind me while I doing the speed limit as I overtook someone going slightly slower.  I could see they had a strange number plate.  We I could pull in to the left lane I did so and they zoomed past showing their personalised number plate.  Richmond Football Club: all is explained.

A nice Mallacoota sunset!


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