From the Back O' Bourke to Dubbo........

Leaving Cunnamulla we weren't really sure where we might go next just that it was time to leave Queensland and make our way towards Canberra where we had a function to attend mid September.  We stayed overnight in a rest area and the next morning continued on our way crossing the border into NSW soon after.

Though not quite as green as Queensland was there was still much water on the ground proving the rain had been widespread across the country.  Hopefully we have seen the last of it for a while!  We drove into North Bourke and found a place to stay beside the Darling River at a large campsite by the boat ramp.  

It was still a bit muddy but we were able to find a firm track in and join the two other people camped there and the resident geese.  Known locally as 'the Back o Bourke' we stayed for three nights and enjoyed seeing some sunshine.  Looks like the rain has gone for a bit.  Bill found some birds for the first time in a week or more and enjoyed getting the camera into action again.

Each day the lovely old paddle steamer, Jandra, would pass us going up and down the river.  Always giving us a toot and a wave as it passed with more tourists on board.  We drove into Bourke and did some shopping and checked out the visitors centre at 'The Back o Bourke' to pick up maps of the area.

The next morning we drove back to Bourke and armed with a map did a self guided walk around town.  Some of the buildings are lovely while a few others have been left to deteriorate and you wonder why they would draw attention to them.  The lovely old Catholic Church, St Ignatius, is said to be one of the oldest buildings here.

Waking up to another fine day we walked around the river to see the old Lift Bridge across the Darling. This bridge was opened in 1883 and was the second vertical lift span bridge in the state.  It is now the oldest vertical lift span bridge left in NSW though of course it is no longer in use.  Once opened it soon became the gateway to the never never.

We spent a peaceful afternoon enjoying the river, the birds and the sunshine while we could, rain was forecast again so it was time to hit the road once more.  These two Rainbow Bee Eaters seemed to have dinner under control today.

The next day we travelled to Walgett and camped beside the Barwon River.  It was not as pleasant here as it had been at Bourke but as an overnight stop it was OK.  The next morning we stopped in Walgett as we had some calls to make.  The little park was very nice but overall this little country town had a real air of dispair about it with most of the shop fronts covered in security screens.  Not somewhere on my 'must return to' list.

One of the calls we made was to book the car in for a service as we passed through Dubbo.  It was running a bit rough and as it was due we decided not to wait until we got home.  That day we drove to Coonamble where we had lunch beside the Castlereagh River.  This looked like a lovely town but we didn't stop as we were keen to get to Eumungerie where we were staying at the Rec reserve.

The further into NSW we travelled the wetter it got.  Today we had crossed about six lots of water on the road and many of the side roads were closed.  The fields here were just masses of yellow, most of it the Mustard Weed plant, and while I'm sure it is an awful pest for the landowners it just looks beautiful as you travel through it.  

The next morning we left the rec reserve and started out for Dubbo when disaster struck.  The car started to make a noise then all sorts of lights came on and we stopped on the highway.  Not the best place to stop as the Newell Highway is one of the busiest truck routes in the country, still we had made it off the road so there we stayed.  Bill rang the RACV and they organized roadside assist with the NMRA.  They came out and confirmed that we couldn't go anywhere and so organized a tow truck to come and get us and the van.  Perhaps its just an overdose of mud!

They brought the van into the Dubbo City Caravan Park and the car to the Jeep Dealer where it was going anyway.  And then the bad news came.....The transmission was gone and it would be over a week to get a new one and replace it.  And so here we are staying in Dubbo for the duration.  We can't make it to Canberra as the car won't be ready until after the event so we have sent our apologies.  There are worse places to be stuck I'm sure.

The good news is that our RACV Extra Care insurance is paying for our accommodation and car hire while we are 'stuck' so at least we will be able explore a little further afield.  For now though we will get ourselves set up on our little pad for the next 10 or so days.

until next time.......