Ballarat

The first stint at the Royal is over. The Agility and Jumping was a big day, starting at 8:45 am and finishing at 6:30 pm. There was rain, wind, and periods of sunshine. Huge crowds most of the day. The conditions affected many of the dogs with several running in to the crowd for a free pat. However you could see why the top level is called Masters because when they came in they made it look easy. The masters’ dogs ran the course at maximum speed with the handlers controlling from up to 15 metres away, and the top dogs being 10 + seconds under the course time.

We are in Ballarat for a few days, back in the caravan. Also in the caravan park is a group of Model T club members who are driving round Australia fundraising for the Flying Doctor. They have been away for 6 months and have just got to get to Sydney to finish the loop. The Model T Ford shown was completely restored by the owner apart from some specialist body work. It is a 2.8 litres, 3.8 inch bore, 4 inch stroke engine that has peak revs at 1600. Touring speed is about 65 kph, dropping to 35 on hills. They are towing a camper trailer. 8 T's started out, three are still going.