Day 4 : Rutherglen to Cobram

The cyclists had an event-packed day today, as they continued their celebrity tour.  Phil Liggatt commenced with an early radio interview - as it was at 6.30 am it was heard only by Graham ...but Graham pronounced Phil's  voice as "mellifluous" and his presentation as "flawless".  The Riding Team were then taken on a tour of Rutherglen, which involved a greet-and-meet for the assembled fans, and much autograph signing.  They were to have been given the keys to the city, but apparently ... no-one could find the Master key.   The team then proceeded onto the Rail Trail , into NSW once again (it is a multi-state tour after all), and then for a household visit to Don and Wendy Burrowes.  The Burroweses won this celebrity opportunity in a raffle : first prize was half an hour with The Team, second prize was an hour.    The Burrowseseses had spent weeks preparing their garden and home for this very special day- "They even ate my scones" said Don "all of them ... and all the jam and all the cream".
Lunch was at Mulwala by the Lake - a welcome cool breeze and shade, for the ride was getting hot.  Another 20 km, and The Team stopped for yet another photo shoot.  Katrina suffered a puncture - of her bike tire that is, and possibly her pride ...when Bruce wrote an unkind caption to the relevant photo (see slide show 15 March).   The team arrived in Cobram  hot and tired after an 86 km day.  Accommodation was  in Cobram's Ritz - where some riders were later seen enjoying the pool . Paparazzi are strictly banned from the hotel.  Screaming girls gathered in the streets outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of Cadel or El Nino in wet lycra. 
Tonight it was Graham's turn to perform : the Team attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of Cobram, and Graham spoke very emotionally about The Cause.


Alberto :"Io knackered"
(Spanish  for "I am a bit tired")

 Our Little Mermaid, Eileen swam 8 km today, and now has  a total of  29 km, for this trip !

Night has now fallen, cycling tops are strung on trees outside motel rooms, bikes have been lovingly put to bed, and their Riders are lying blissfully horizontally, giving certain parts of their anatomy a rest and some fresh air ! Tomorrow there is over 100 km  to do ...