So where to next........

We had planned to go back to Lake Cargelligoe but all the rain had cut so many roads throughout NSW it was a challenge to find an open route.  Forbes, Parkes and Condobolin were all under flood watch so we decided we would try to get to Gluepot in SA via Broken Hill.

We left Dubbo and made our way across to Nyngan stopping for the night at one of their freecamp sites outside The State Shearing Shed.  It was reasonably dry here and the rain had stopped for now.

Once set up we had a walk around town looking at the Museum in the old Railway Station.  The helicopter outside Visitors Centre is a monument to the flood of 1990 when the helicopter was used to evacuate nearly all the people from the town during the worst flood since settlement. 

A little further on we found what I thought was a fishing statue but in fact was 'The Big Bogan'.   A community project that brings a smile to all who see it.

The next morning we had a look at the Shearing Shed full of all old things about shearing and sheep.  A lot of work done by volunteers and an interesting place to wander around.

Leaving here we drove across to Cobar and the sun kept shining today though the temperature only reached 12 deg and the wind was bitter.  

We took a walk up to the Mineral Park where we found Rick The Miner sculpture, the old Chesney Poppet Head and across the road the entrance to Cobar. 

 We had a walk around town and of course I had to snap The Big Beer Can to go with yesterday's bogan.

After our walk we made our way to Newey Reservoir where we joined quite a few other people camped here for the night.

 

Still heading toward Broken Hill the next morning we found lots of water lying in the fields and along the sides of the roads.  The countryside was so lush and green though and such a change from last years dry and dusty landscapes.

We stopped for the night at McCullochs Range Rest area and enjoyed the lovely view across green hills.  Bill found some birds to play with for the first time in a couple of weeks and these little Redback Kingfishers were very friendly.  It was so good to able spend the afternoon sitting outside in the sun even though the pesky black flies were a little challenging.  I have to say this was the least salubrious toilet we have found on our travels.  Still it did the job so no complaints.  

The next day we drove into Broken Hill and were fascinated by what looked like 'ski jumps' as we drove through the Talyawalka floodplain before Wilcannia. Consulting Mr Google I discovered that these are protecting cables installed in the 1970's.  'These cables are part of a communications network that was needed as satellites launched by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) were having trouble communicating with each other and the earth based stations due to the curvature of the earth.  To overcome this they built an earth station at Moree NSW and another at Ceduna, South Australia. Telecom installed the links between the two stations.  It was also used for international and local traffic, though its most important and prime function was for NASA'.  Quite amazing what you see in some of our most remote areas.

We arrived in Broken Hill and went to camp at the Racetrack only to find out they were closed because of all the rain and a private function over the weekend.  We found a few vans camped outside the entrance, checked with the caretakers and were told we could stay overnight so we set up and headed out to shop.

It was Bill's birthday today as well so I really splashed out and took him to McDonald's for coffee and a muffin and yes you guessed it, the free wifi.

The next day we moved on just 37 km down the road to Thackaringa Hill while I set to work cooking up all our fruit and veggies so we could cross the border into SA.  We were very interested to read that this was the site of the first silver ore find in 1876.

The next day we crossed the border and drove to Yunta where we stayed the night opposite the pub.  Bill finally got his birthday dinner as we enjoyed a nice meal with a few others from the camp ground.

From here we drove into Peterborough where we were going to stay for a couple of days as there was a big storm forecast.  We stayed in the new RV Park and once set up walked into the shops and came home to make the most of the sunny afternoon.

The next morning was very windy and we went to shop before the rain came.  We found a great new coffee shop in town converted from the old cinema and full of old movie memorabilia. 

As most of you will know by now that afternoon we experienced one of SA's worst storms.  The whole state lost power at 4.20pm the next day for at least 24 hours with some remote areas being out for much longer.  Not being reliant on power we stayed warm and dry during the storm though the van shook with every wind gust.  Once again we kept ourselves amused with books and puzzles.

The next morning we woke to a very soggy RV Park and though the rain had slowed the wind still blew wildly.  Still we packed up and headed out to find somewhere a little less damp.  No idea where but we'll se how we go.

until next time........

'Stuck in Dubbo'.......

We spent the first afternoon setting up and settling in.  The Dubbo City Holiday Park was very big and very well maintained.  It backs on to the river reserve so was a very quiet park as well.  This turned out to be home for the next 13 days as an extra part for the car had to be ordered and fitted.  

Bill picked up the hire car the next day once he knew what was happening with our car and we popped out to have a look at the shops in the afternoon.  

The next day was fine and we decided to explore a little further afield so we drove out to Trangie to have a look at the Goan Waterhole in Argonaut Park.  The local information booklet told us we could find birds here.

The waterhole was lovely, quiet picturesque with a complete coverage of an aquatic plant making it almost impossible to discern where the park finished and the water started.

The park was absolutely waterlogged after all the recent rain and apart from one swooping Magpie we didn't see any other birds.  But we did find another 'big' thing to add to the list of big Aussie Icons.  The Big Billy is here in the corner of the park welcoming travellers as they come to picnic.

With all the sights seen here in Trangie we drove back to Narromine to see if their bird sites were open but found the same story there.  We did find the statue of Glenn McGrath, the Australian cricketer, who grew up here.  Obviously very proud of their hometown hero.

We returned home after this and settled in for a quiet night with the heater on.  Winter was meant to be over but since the beginning of Spring it seemed that Winter was having a resurgence in a big way.  It was still raining almost every second day and the temperature was below average most of the time.  Nights were still hovering between 3 and 6 degrees.  Our decision to install the diesel heater has certainly a good one.

While we were 'stuck' here I took advantage of staying still for a while and got stuck into the cleaning and washing each dry day.  We also discovered the local McDonald's free wifi was pretty effective so spent some time there with coffee and computers.  Also spent a couple of afternoons in the library for the same reason.

We spent an afternoon checking out Central Dubbo and found this lovely city is well catered for in the variety of shops and services here.  We found the odd rhinoceros here and there as well.

One day we drove across to Geurie, once again looking for birds but same old story, roads closed or too soggy to drive in.  We did find Dave's Jam Stall and left with a jar of Raspberry jam.  Across the road at the bus stop it seems that 436 km was the favorite distance to anywhere.

The old Memorial Hall stood proudly at the top of the hill commemorating all the soldiers who fought in many wars.

Another day we went out to the Dubbo Botanical Garden and Shoyen Japanese Garden.  Very soggy here but a nice walk on one of the sunny days.  The baby ducks were loving it though.

On Saturday morning we walked across to the farmers market held beside the railway bridge each fortnight.  The rain held off and we enjoyed a walk around and left with some lovely fresh fruit.

Walking across the bridge over the Macquarie River it was easy to see how high the water was as a result of all the rain.  The river was running fast and furious here.

Finally we got word that the car would be ready to pick up on Tuesday.  Bill returned the hire car and collected our Jeep and we spent the rest of the day packing up, shopping and generally getting ready to hit the road again on Wednesday morning.

Of course it had to rain again and it was a very soggy job as Bill hooked up and drove us out.  We were well and truly ready to hit the road again but we are very glad that if we had to be 'stuck' at least it was somewhere civilized.  

We enjoyed looking around Dubbo and the surrounding areas but hope not to see it again too soon.

until next time.......