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Gum Bend Lake |
Boat Ramp Facility |
Flooded near our camp area |
Monday the 1st of August |
Early model Holden's |
Ned Kelly robbing the stage |
Bundaberg Rum Ute being stood up |
Tuesday the 2nd of August |
Hawk flying off with ute |
Australiana Mate |
The Musical Ute |
We then decided to go for a drive with the car heater going. We started driving on the road to Parkes and after about 39 kilometres we turned down the gravel road to go and have a look at the Ute's in the Paddock. All the ute's are old Holden's of various ages and all painted by local artists in many ways depicting something about the area or NSW. In all there are twenty ute's sitting in various forms and we particularly liked the one with the hawk flying away with the ute. They are all great and we spent an hour or so walking along the fence looking at each one and commenting that even though we had seen some ten years ago they have all been well maintained and in fact there were three more ute's added to the collection. The weather was still dismal though not raining at all, it was cold the radio indicating that it was only 10.6 degrees celsius in Condobolin today with the likely hood of rain for the next couple of days. |
First there were three an hour later there were five Magpie Geese |
Wednesday the 3rd of August |
Gathering nesting material |
Five Magpie Geese in the water |
Pretty little cocky's feeding on seed |
We were to hear a lot of honking and then three more Magpie Geese circled and then finally landed and straight away there was a change of partner with one male seeing the other off in a flurry of feathers. They finally wandered off down through the wetlands. We had lunch and a couple of happy campers came along for chin wag and another delivered a big limb for us to cut up for our fire. Out came the chainsaw and it was cut up very quickly. Being river gum it was easy to cut and the chain on the chainsaw is still sharp. We may miss the heat of the gidgee wood though not the way it destroys chains and chainsaws. |
We never struck horses |
Lachlan River in Flood |
Catholic Church Condobolin |
Thursday the 4th of August |
Sunset last Night |
Magpie Geese roosting in trees |
Beautiful reflections and birds |
Friday the 5th of August |
Saturday the 6th of August |
Pelicans sitting on Island on Gum Bend Lake |
Bush Pigeons fighting cold morning in trees |
Sunday the 7th of August |
Back log in firepot |
Loading wheat into carriages |
Only two Engines to pull wheat train |
Lit the firepot and boiled the billy and as usual of late we just had a cup of tea and a warm. For the firepot was really warm and more so when a back log was piled in. Even with a block buster there was no way that the log could be split completely. We finally had our breakfast and again a couple of the happy campers came over for a chat and so we chewed the fat for a couple of hours and doesn't time go quickly when this happens. |
Sunset over the lake last night |
Sun breaking through fog |
Main Street Condobolin |
Monday the 8th of August |
Tuesday the 9th of August |
Wheat and more Wheat |
Plenty of Sheep grazing |
Wheat Silo's in the middle of nowhere |
Wednesday the 10th of August |
Mob of Major Mitchell Galah's |
Canola as far as the eye can see |
Bare trees coming into Narrandra |
We were to see large mob's of Major Mitchell Galah's and big mob's of Sulphur Crested Parrots as well. We finally arrived at West Wylong and did not stop and as we turned onto the Newell Highway the lovely rose gardens had lost their flowers though there were spring bulbs growing and flowering well. |
Our Motel room on first floor Narrandra |
Our happy hour Giant Fig Tree |
It has a huge old Fig Tree and I would not hasten to think how old it is. In summer months it would be cool sitting under it for happy hour though we wont be for it is only 18 degrees. We checked into our room which includes free wi-fi among the many other things and set up for the night. We then went looking for Subway to have lunch and we could not find it. We drove out to the road house about four kilometres from town and had a crispy chicken hamburger each washed down with a cappuccino of course. On the way back into town we noted that Subway was attached to the Shell Service station I do not know how we missed it. Whilst out at the Road House we topped up with unleaded at $1.19.5 which was five cents a litre cheaper than the Shell Service station which is a Coles outlet. |
How's this old timer and van |
Largest playable Guitar in Australia |
Old Tiger Moth in Museum |
There was an old Chevy ute outside with a camper trailer complete with white wall tyres. We noted that they had a lot of Aboriginal art including didgeridoo's for sale and including as they say the largest playable guitar in Australia. Then we went and had a look in the Tiger Moth museum and we wondered how they flew these planes given they were made of painted canvas no wonder they crashed a lot during the war. The museum is great and we had no trouble spending an hour looking at the photo's and memorabilia. They also had a visual display of the planes in action. These blokes were mad to do the things they did. |
On the road to Melbourne in fog |
Jirilderie |
Finley |
Thursday the 11th of August |
Town Beach NSW flooded |
Campgrounds Finley Beach flooded |
The Terios was driving really well and we were sitting on 105 kph and it was doing it easy and even passing cars and caravans plus the odd truck or two. When we arrived at Tocumwal we drove down into Finley Beach and found there was a road blocked sign down into the camp area. We went near the toilet on the top of the bank and counted five squatters four of which were here when we passed through in mid May. Across the river we could see that Town Beach in NSW had been flooded and there were no happy campers there at all. When we looked at where camped in early May at Finley Beach all the camp grounds were under water for the Murray River was in flood and it could be that the floods will stay until November, that is if the rain stop. We then pressed onto Shepparton where we were going to kill time for we cannot book into our accommodation until after 2pm. On arrival at Shepparton we went to Aldies to buy a couple of things and then down to the K-Mart to buy slippers for Liz and then onto the SPC Factory to buy fruit etc for Jen for we rang her and found out what she wanted. Then down to the service station and refueled the Terios at $1.15.7 cents a litre. From there we went into the shopping centre and then the food court where we decided to have Subway for lunch. Liz was to have a six inch roll with chicken burger and salad and I was to have a twelve inch with shredded pork and plenty of jalapeno's, salad and hot chilli sauce then we purchased cappuccino's to wash it down very nice indeed. In all we spent over two hours in Shepparton again showing we could have driven down from Condobolin in one day. No doubt come Monday we will drive straight back with a few breaks along the way. |
Dormant fruit trees Shepparton |
Passing wide load Hume Highway |
Green Hills on way to Melbourne |
Back on the road and the first thing we noticed was that the traffic had increased and the driving of many was very erratic, do not leave to much space between the car in front or they will dive in causing you to brake quickly. We were to note the dormant fruit trees and there were more grape vines being grown and other fruit such as cherry's. The area was renowned for its stone fruit and now even looking at the product at SPC it is now sourced from overseas to the detriment of the local fruit growers. |
The Melbourne City Centre and high rises plus new apartment high rise's being built at Preston this morning |
Friday the 12th of August |
High Street Preston |
Fairfield Shopping Strip |
Vegetables outside fruit and Veggie shop |
Saturday the 13th of August |
Further up the street cheap prices |
Trojan Horse at train station |
Train going across railway crossing Thornbury |
The vegetables were quite cheap especially the Broccoli at $1.99 a kilo one of my favourite veggies. Wonderful what a bit competition creates in the way of prices. We wandered along and went into an op shop run by MS though we were to buy nothing at all. We went as far as the Fairfield Railway Station and noted the large wooden horse or dog we could not tell which. I noted there were speaker holes above its eyes which from which they probably play music. We saw the boom gates come down and a city bound train pulled into the station. |
Having a chat at the Party |
Jen's 50th Birthday Cake |
Jen's Blowing out the Candles |
Back to the hotel/motel to get ready for Jen's 50th Birthday Party tonight at the Bowls Club. We no sooner arrived back when there was a knock on the door and there was Robert and Dianne who had just arrived by plane from Tassie for the party tonight. |
Northland Shopping Centre |
Tiger Land Richmond |
All enjoying our Foo (Soup) |
Sunday the 14th of August |
Big Strawberry Koonoomoo |
Liz & Kay Finley |
DC3 coming into West Wylong |
Monday the 15th of August |
Set up for the Condobolin Dog Show |
Pampered Pooches with shiny coats |
Tuesday the 16th of August |
Colourful Parrots after seed etc |
Our feathered friend for brekky |
Terios loaded with wood for our next campfire |
Wednesday the 17th of August |
Back on the road again |
Large body water along the way |
Wheat as far as the eye can see |
Thursday the 18th of August |
Welcome to Lake Cargelligo |
Grocer and Bank |
Set up and view from under our awning |
We finally arrived at Lake Cargelligo and went straight to the dump point and then we drove through town out to Dead Mans Point. When we arrived we noted there were six caravans and we parked up near the road and now have these beautiful views out across the lake. We parked this close to the bitumen road for they are forecasting rain for Friday and Saturday and possibly Sunday so we are close enough to the road to get out should it become boggy. |
Moon rising last night over Lake |
Sunrise this morning over Lake |
Rubbish Bins afloat at Frogs Hollow |
Friday the 19th of August |
Lake Cargelligo Weir |
Egret watching us at Weir |
Plowing Cotton Fields for replanting |
Then we thought we would take a trip out to the Weir and have a look at the camp ground there. We drove 10 kilometre's back towards Condobolin and then turned onto a gravel road for 12 Kilometres and then 2 kilometres into the weir. |
Tourist Centre Lake Cargelligo collection of Butterfly's
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Collection of polished Agates at Tourist Centre |
Saturday the 20th of August |
Lake Cargelligo Solar Thermal Plant |
We then went for a drive out to the Solar Thermal Plant for a look see. Unfortunately you can not get near though you can see the solar panels on the ground over the fence and the towers that are used for some purpose. The sign indicates that this is " Australia's First Fully Integrated Solar & Thermal Energy Storage Power Station - 3MWe" |
Tranquil Lake this morning |
Pelicans fishing by shore |
This is the name of our campground |
Sunday the 21st of August |
The largest grain storage shed and Silo's we have seen to date |
Draught Horses in nearby paddock |
After lunch we hopped back in the Terios and went for an afternoon drive. First we drove to the showgrounds for water and then noted the huge wheat silo's and the longest grain shed that we have come across in all our travels over the years. |
Not a nice day today |
Wattle starting to bloom |
Welcome to Euabalong |
Monday the 22nd of August |
Welcome to Murrin Bridge |
One of the Aboriginal Centre's |
Aboriginal Art on Football Ground |
We spotted the turnoff to Murrin Bridge which was only 2 kilometres in off the road. So we drove in for a sticky beak, It is an aboriginal community with a population of 150 so the sign said and all the homes are modern brick. They had a large childcare centre and there were plenty of kids there. We noted they had their own Centrelink and Medicare Office. There is aboriginal art all over the town though some has been defaced. They had their own football ground where they no doubt play Marngrook on weekends. |
Us, Mick and Ian at the lake |
Load of cotton heading out to ? | A couple of old building in Lake Cargelligo |
Tuesday the 23rd of August |
Wednesday the 24th of August |
Oh no! the sun is shining today |
Our fire this morning with kettle |
Mick with the vacuum cleaner in action |
Thursday the 25th of August |
What a wonderful morning |
Cliffs by the lake on other side |
Cormorant drying out near our camp |
Friday the 26th of August |
Cattle in lush pasture |
Tullibigeal Cafe |
Pioneer park and our camp spot at rear |
We were to skirt those so the road was flat for most of the way. We were to see a lot of Cyprus Pine alongside the road and cattle either eating or sitting in very lush pastures. The traffic was nil so the it made for easy driving and before we knew it we were taking the turn into Tullibigeal. We noted that there were no happy campers in the rest area so we came in and set up. We were to note that there had been a few changes mainly in the electrical posts. On this occasion they wanted us to back in where last time we had to drive in. |
Washing day at Tullibigeal |
Jim & Liz off touring the village |
Liz having a wine at the pub |
Saturday the 27th of August |
Rodeo ring and Wheat Silo's |
Angus cattle feeding |
Welcome once again |
Sunday the 28th of August |
Bottle tree in front of School |
Bloke splitting wood |
Tulligigeal Community Hall |
We then drove along a gravel road for about 5 kilometres and found ourselves in farming country. Of course the fields of wheat and pastures for the cattle especially the Angus breed plus sheep were grazing. We found ourselves some kilometres from the town centre when we came across the road to West Wylong and then after a short distance we were to turn off onto the Tullibigeal Road. We came across the Mitre 11 though it was closed so we couldn't drop in for any bargains. We had noted there were a lot of housing behind where we camp so we were to drive on all the streets. We came across the school with a bottle tree in front and the large school caters for students from kinder right up to year 12. As we were driving around we came across a bloke splitting wood with his hydraulic ram and he certainly had some split. I thought that the local people would get there own wood for the bush was close by. He was to inform us that B-Doubles came and loaded up the wood and it was sold in Canberra umpteen kilometres away. We had a good talk with him and it was interesting to watch the wood in the round being split so easily by the ram. We went on further and discovered the very modern community hall where most of the celebrations for the grand final win had taken place. In all we noticed that there had been a lot of shops now closed in the back streets and most of the homes were modern brick though a lot were very old as well. There were a lot of old cars and trucks parked up in paddocks by homes so this area would be a restorers delight given all the different models and makes. We finally arrived back at camp and sat out in the late afternoon sun reading and just chewing the fat so to speak about all and sundry. Time for happy hour so better get to it. Again it has been a good day nice and warm though you can bet it will be cold tonight when the sun goes down. |
Lined up waiting for depot to open |
On the weighbridge |
Loading Wheat from Silo's |
Monday the 29th of August A rather cool night I expected a frost this morning though this wasn't the case. We could hear heavy diesel engines this morning at 6am and when hopping out of bed there were 10 B-Double grain trucks lined up. They did not get onto the weighbridge until nearly 8am. We were speaking with one truck driver who informed us that he had come from Young in NSW morning and a bit peeved that he was losing time for the wheat complex was not open at 7am as it was supposed to be. He indicated that this loading station in Tullibigeal was one of the slowest in the state for loading due to the sampling and weighbridge being in two different areas of the complex. He was doing a load wheat back to Young and then onto Barallen for the next load which will have him finishing very late this evening. We were to have our breakfast and noted the sun had gone behind clouds and would remain that way for most to the day. I put the chairs outside and we caught what little sun that was available and then watched the trucks first going onto the weighbridge and then onto being loaded and then back to the weighbridge and back to the Silo's to either take more on board or take some of the wheat off due to weight limits. In all after going to the sampling station it was taking over an hour and a half to get on the road with their load. This was to happen up until midday when they closed loading facility down for the day. Along with Mick we went over to the cafe and ordered a hamburger for lunch and then ordered fish and chips for our evening meal tonight. We have had a lot of junk tucker over the last few days though we have to say it tasted alright. The rest of the afternoon was spent sitting out outside reading and just talking for we are both going in different directions in the morning so there was minimal packing this afternoon and I will take down the satellite gear in the morning and then on the road south. Mick and Kaye have not had television since they have been here so we have invited them in to watch their favourite show on television "Home and Away" When that is over we will watch the Talking Footy show before going off to bed. Today we have not been out in the Terios, basically just sitting around the camp doing next to nothing. We are hoping that it does not rain tomorrow whilst we are travelling for it is forecast. |
More Wheat & Mountains |
Yellow Gold |
Daffodils blooming at West Wylong |
Tuesday the 30th of August |
Different Grain Crop |
Beckom Rest Area |
Truckers Memorial Beckom Rest Area |
The first stop was the Bakery where we had a cappuccino and Liz a sausage roll and a peppered pie for me. All very nice and no wonder I have put most of my weight loss back on through lack of walking and eating junk food galore in the past fortnight. We then went into the IGA and it was good to see that prices were lower than we were used to for a while. For instance a knob of 1kg Devon in the outback was $5.79 and the same brand in the IGA West Wylong was $2.79 and it went on with both the groceries and fruit. |
Joined us in rest area last night |
Canola and mountains |
A happy group this morning |
Wednesday the 31st of August |
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