Bourke

In my last post I said it was a pretty & peaceful free camp at the Newey Reserve, forget the peaceful as we had barking dogs constantly ALL night!! We had an early breakfast deciding to head off to Bourke and would shower once we arrived as we could not stand hearing those dogs any longer.

We have been at the Kidman Caravan Park for the last couple of days and have caught up with the washing and even managed to cook a Date Loaf,have also made some veg soup. Yesterday the temperature was a very nice 20 degrees and it was even better today reaching 23 degrees, no wind very pleasant sitting outside the van relaxing, our winter clothes are now stored under the bed.

 As we were travelling to Bourke yesterday we were listening to the local country radio station and they were talking about the Flicks in the Sticks, that was showing La La Land on Saturday night, it was a free film night and the CWA ladies would be selling Curried Sausages. Baz heard Curried Sausages and thought this sounded good, so tonight we headed into town to experience their country hospitality and watch the film on a big screen in the outdoors. The Curried Sausages were a pass but cannot say the same for the film, I don't think Baz & I like romantic musicals, this one was certainly a bit different. As there were only about 25 people there and the exit was up near the screen we stayed & saw it through to the end, thought it may look rude if we left early. Baz now says he only went to please me!

The Jandra on the Darling River

Darling River 

Outdoor Film Night

Cobar

Leaving Hay the next day (Wednesday) we travelled around 230 klm to Lake Cargelligo usually when we stay here we free camp at Frog Hollow right beside the lake, but after the Thunderstorm the previous night it was very wet a sloshy so it was mutually agreed to go to the caravan park. We spent a great happy hour around the fire pit talking to fellow travellers while our spuds cooked in the coals. 

Today we were back on the Kidman Hwy heading to our next stop Cobar. We saw a lot of road kill today mostly bush pigs that had been hit by vehicles, glad it wan't us as I am sure they do a lot of damage. We are free camping tonight at the Newey Reserve camping area, a pretty & peaceful spot that is well maintained by the Cobar Council. This afternoon we went just out of town to the Fort Bourke Hill Lookout, where we were able to view the Open Cut Gold Mine, the pit and entrance to the underground mine, a very impressive sight.

The Pit

Open Cut Mine Cobar

Great Western Hotel Cobar

Newey Reserve Cobar

Hobart-Hay 2017

Saturday 20th May we left home for our annual trip to the Big Island, hopefully to find the warmer weather. We delayed our departure by a week as Baz was unwell, we were very lucky to be able to change our booking on the Spirit and that Baz improved enough to travel.

I spent Saturday morning at the grandsons soccer games while Baz did the final check of the van and car. It was then time to say goodbye to family and head north stopping at Longford for the night, we were able to have a leisurely morning before later heading to the boat. Could not believe our eyes seeing a crocheted wheel cover, especially when it was on an off road vehicle a Lotus Trooper, that was at the caravan park at Longford. (Had a little chuckle!)

QLD visitor to Tasmania

We called over to Ulverstone see our friends Lyn & Dennis as we will not be crossing paths this year in our travels, then it was time to head to Devonport to catch the boat. Thinking we would have plently of time to pack our overnight bag while we were lined up in the cattle grid we were pleasantly surprised to check in and be directed straight onto the boat. It was then a hasty grab of our overnight gear to take on board. Leaving our bag in our cabin it was then down to the lounge to grab a wine and wait for Pauline and Les to board.

Monday we docked in Melbourne at the early hour of 6.30am after a very calm crossing of Bass Straight with only a metre swell, which was nothing just enough to rock you to sleep. We then made our way to the Citilink to head out of Melbourne to our first stop Echuca.  We wanted to check that our hot water was working in the van on 240v because when we were at Longford we had a little trouble, Baz had accidentally drained the cylinder, then hooked up to the power and tripped the hot water. Thankfully all was working and we didn't need to call the mobile caravan repairer. Of course while in Echuca we had to have a Beesting at the Beechworth Bakery.

Baz enjoying a Beesting at Beechworth Bakery Echuca

Our next stop was Deniliquin known locally as Deni, a delightful town situated on the Edward River north of Echuca. It is well known as the Ute Capital of the World hosting the famous Deni Ute Muster a unique Australian rural festival. A couple of attractions in Deniliquin is the Mosaic covered ute which was an arts project completed in 2008, also the Ute on a Pole a bright red WB Kingswood.

Back on the road again we travelled to Hay where we enjoyed a free camp at the Hay Services Club. I had a night off cooking as we went over to the club for a lovely Chinese meal. Later that evening we experienced a severe thunderstorm that was passing across NSW so much electrical activity!

Checking out the padlocks on the walkway

Deniliquin 

Edward River Deniliquin

Deniliquin Ute Capital of the World

Hay Railway Station