Well – there isn’t a lot to do in Clarendon – so in that respect it is an ideal rest day!! The weather was cloudy and cool all day and the wind dropped as the day wore on, so it is not like we have “fluked” another rest day on a day that would have been unsuitable for riding.
We’ve taken today to give the bikes a bit of a clean, get the clothes washing up to date, have a leisurely lunch, and take a wander around Clarendon. My bike was filthy, I guess a whole lot of dirt, grease and oil flicked up from the road on the wet day, and my chain and all the cog thingies were black. A good spray with degreaser and wiping with several rags got a lot of it off. The chain was lubed so hopefully poor Finn will run a bit more smoothly when we get going again. Don't tell him about the Tour de France bikes and how well they are cleaned and maintained!!!
The owner of the motel had advised us that Bendi's was a good place to eat at and it proved to be so. A little amusing was the number of changes hand-written on the menu's - but the food was great! They also seemed to run the laundrette in the town which was at the back of the building - and used by us all.
While Clarendon is surrounded by rich agricultural lands, many with mansions of houses on them – the town itself is pretty much dead!! Bendi’s Diner is clearly the best place to eat and we have enjoyed a lunch and dinner there. There were a couple of service stations, 2 “Dollar” shops and – “The Mad Butcher” – which is not at all like the places of the same name in New Zealand. It is in fact a grocery store. On one corner was a bottle shop - with a sign on it seeking someone to run it! Otherwise you could buy your wine and beer supplies from either of the service stations.
Apart from those, the only reasonable buildings are council, governmental ones or churches. So many smaller businesses have closed down over the years. Sad really, we have passed through so many of these towns during this journey.
However - it was a pleasant stroll and allowed us to have a nice restful day.