Getting cold here, time to make like a bird and migrate north……..
The night was much warmer here than at home and it was still fine early morning but we were expecting that to change sooner rather than later. We drove on and stopped at Harden to have a look at the ‘Bill the Bastard’ sculpture we saw last year in the studio. It is now in position in the Main Street and looks wonderful. A truly amazing work and equally amazing story.
After lunch we continued on to Mont Eagle where we stayed the night at Touts Park. The rain had started during the afternoon so our spectacular view of the valley had disappeared under the clouds and we had a quiet night here. The drive out the next morning was very soggy as it had rained all night. We kept going until we arrived at Cowra for a walk in the rain. From here we kept on until we stopped at Bathurst where we camped at the Showgrounds. The grounds here were soaking and the caretakers were having a fun time putting people in places where they wouldn’t get stuck. We settled in for another night inside with the heater.
The next day was fine and we had decided to stay for two nights. The blue sky and sunshine was delightful as we drove into town to have a look around. Great coffee first at Piccolo and then a walk around Kings Parade. Opposite The Courthouse there is the Boer War Monument and the very stately Carillon which commemorates the 1st and 2nd World Wars, Vietnam War, Gulf War and East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan Peace Keeping Operations.
At the other end of the Parade was a sculpture of George William Evans who discovered the Bathurst Plains in 1810 and is known for the opening up of the west. From here walking further along the street and around the block we found the very impressive Presbyterian Church and a Public School built in 1874. This building is now the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. There were many more lovely old historic buildings as we walked the streets but far too many to mention here.
The sun was still shining the next morning as we left this lovely town but the clouds soon gathered as we arrived in Orange where we stopped to pick up some bread and of course a coffee. Even though the rain threatened it didn’t happen so we stayed dry. We continued on our way to Gilgandra where once again we stayed at the Bowling Club. And no cooking for me as we headed in for a delicious Chinese meal.
We left the next morning just as the rain arrived and lunched at Coonabarabran on the way to Narrabri where we were staying two nights at a farm stay just out of town. Shanty on Naomi is a lovely campground right on the banks of the Namoi River which was very high at the moment but the ground was all dry. Lots of birds here so this should keep Bill smiling for a while.
We had a look around town the next day and found it appeared to be a smaller place than Bathurst and it didn’t look quite as prosperous. The Masonic Lodge opposite the Courthouse looked very impressive and is said to be built in 1892 and is in near perfect condition. It has lead light windows bearing the Masonic symbols and a bright blue sun below the year. Back at home Bill spent the afternoon with the birds and his camera. This Red Browed Finch was happy to pose for him.
The roads were all okay, some with evidence of the heavy rains just recently, but nothing to worry about. We stopped for a look around Warwick before driving on to find a spot to stay the night. We found a little rest area just this side of Cunningham Gap and set up for the night. A little noisy with all the trucks passing but we managed. Leaving here the next day we drove down the very steep Cunningham Gap before stopping for a look at the next town we came too.
Boonah was a lovely little town with some very quirky sculptures throughout the town. The most interesting of these was the old Blumbergville Clock. Boonah was previously called Blumbergville when it was settled by two brothers. It was changed to Boonah in 1937.
After we had a good look around we left and made our way through some very interesting routes, thanks to the GPS. Who would have ever thought we would pass through a little place called Wonglepong! Perhaps this is why you should sometimes throw caution to the wind and follow blindly!
Our final stop was the Treasure Island Resort and Caravan Park on the Gold Coast where we were staying for 6 nights. So that ends our first 10 days of travelling. It has been a mixed bag weather wise but otherwise very enjoyable as we have settled into our usual routines of life on the road. Bill is attending a Birdlife Photography Conference here and I’m going to have a look around if the dreadful forecast doesn’t come as planned. We’ll have to wait and see.
until next time……..