Sunday, May 30, 2010
Beautiful Katoomba
We headed for Katoomba, down the end of Cliff Drive, $33.70 per night, handy to the clothes line but! In the township very steep (naturally) parked, walked up and down, the shops were very different looking, found a great butcher, prices and quality v good, in Go-low found "the heater" which was to make my life much better.
Drove round to echo point again, had turned away before because the council wanted a $3.80 minimum fee to park at the information centre "noway hose" for these little Taswegians. This time we parked on the disabled spot, (there were several others still available). From this point there were some fabulous photo opportunities, then home for tea, pork schnitzels, with vegies and rice.
Business at Centrelink in the morning, then on to do more touristing, Gordon Falls lookout, Golf Links, Sublime Lookout (which is credibly named), so many wonderful things and sights to see good exercise for us getting down to them and then up, my knees still hurt.
The homes in Katoomba are full of character, have lovely gardens, beautiful trees.
Took more photos in nearby Leura, loved it all, just loved it all.
Interestingly as we drove down out of the mountains the houses became more mainstream, ordinary, were no longer special.
I found a great patchwork, embroidery, cross stitch etc.etc.shop got some DMC thread there and Oh there was lots and lots of projects, gave me the online address, checked it out, could be a good source in future as more and more close up.
We pulled out of there for Yass on Sat. 22/5/2010 - John and Chris were at a nearby friends' wedding, returning about 9p.m.
We spent the next 5 days with their loving hospitality, resting and recuperating from our frenzied touristing, catching up on chores, repairs, rearranging, J added a cylinder under the van to carry fishing poles and such, shopping in Gungahlin for things, more warm clothes for me, and that recommended Turbo Cooker which had been advertised at Aldi stores, but I haven't had a chance to try it out because we are now in Sydney, Mascot to be precise with our son Michael and Tracy.
On 31st May I will be flying to Hobart for 10 days and thus this missive will be quiet for a while unless JR decided to do some posts ?
Drove round to echo point again, had turned away before because the council wanted a $3.80 minimum fee to park at the information centre "noway hose" for these little Taswegians. This time we parked on the disabled spot, (there were several others still available). From this point there were some fabulous photo opportunities, then home for tea, pork schnitzels, with vegies and rice.
Business at Centrelink in the morning, then on to do more touristing, Gordon Falls lookout, Golf Links, Sublime Lookout (which is credibly named), so many wonderful things and sights to see good exercise for us getting down to them and then up, my knees still hurt.
The homes in Katoomba are full of character, have lovely gardens, beautiful trees.
Took more photos in nearby Leura, loved it all, just loved it all.
Interestingly as we drove down out of the mountains the houses became more mainstream, ordinary, were no longer special.
I found a great patchwork, embroidery, cross stitch etc.etc.shop got some DMC thread there and Oh there was lots and lots of projects, gave me the online address, checked it out, could be a good source in future as more and more close up.
We pulled out of there for Yass on Sat. 22/5/2010 - John and Chris were at a nearby friends' wedding, returning about 9p.m.
We spent the next 5 days with their loving hospitality, resting and recuperating from our frenzied touristing, catching up on chores, repairs, rearranging, J added a cylinder under the van to carry fishing poles and such, shopping in Gungahlin for things, more warm clothes for me, and that recommended Turbo Cooker which had been advertised at Aldi stores, but I haven't had a chance to try it out because we are now in Sydney, Mascot to be precise with our son Michael and Tracy.
On 31st May I will be flying to Hobart for 10 days and thus this missive will be quiet for a while unless JR decided to do some posts ?
Saturday, May 29, 2010
We overnighted at Flat Rock after we left Orange - a grassy river bank beside a trickling river (Fish River) lovely setting, chose a spot, so level we did not need to unhook, BBQ sausages and a bonfire shared with Brian and Marg and Steen. J had the usual luck with the fishing rod.
Next morning was sunny and we proceeded on to Bathurst Caravan Park, sited on a hillside, washing to the line and off to explore.
The Carillion chimed at 3p.m., photo of Courthouse, checked out their museum and eyed the small Japanese Garden and walked in the park in the fading sunlight.
Wednesday morning – went to the racing circuit, Mcphillamy Park at the top for the fabulous views, then continued and did the circuit again and again, WOW those S Bends and the Dipper, took photos in the Pits and Pit Apron and up and down and all around, thrilled to be at a place I had seen so many exciting times on the TV.
At the track museum there was a bronze statue of Peter Brock and a memorial wing, more photos.
Back to C/Park met travelers from Strahan Tasmania (Cliff and Sue) Sue convinced us we needed a little heater for the cold nights and also recommended a Turbo Cooker.
ORANGE DRAGONS ABREAST
Orange became our next destination, passing through valleys and hills which was very pleasant, the previous weeks being flat terrain. Chose the Colour City C/Park, quite chilly, had a warm dinner.
On Friday we checked Conobolas Mountain (about the same height as Wellington) but it began from higher,and the lake of the same name, checked out the town and had haircuts ($26 each)
Saturday despite the overnight temp of zero degrees I dressed in as much Dragons gear and warm as I had with me, proceeded to the lake as I had been invited to have a paddle. Orange D/A has only been running 2 years and has only 4 members, 3 of whom are going to Canada to compete in Peterborough. The rest of the paddlers were sporting paddlers, mostly well younger than me, but I feel I did not disgrace myself, despite the fact that I had not paddled for months, IT WAS GEAT !
At 6:30 we turned up at the Ophir Tavern for their fund raising dinner and enjoyed it all, socializing and helping them to raise more funds, belly dancers for entertainment ! They raised another $1,000.
We were given a couple of complimentary Eagle Boys vouchers, so that became our dinner the Sunday night.
On Friday we checked Conobolas Mountain (about the same height as Wellington) but it began from higher,and the lake of the same name, checked out the town and had haircuts ($26 each)
Saturday despite the overnight temp of zero degrees I dressed in as much Dragons gear and warm as I had with me, proceeded to the lake as I had been invited to have a paddle. Orange D/A has only been running 2 years and has only 4 members, 3 of whom are going to Canada to compete in Peterborough. The rest of the paddlers were sporting paddlers, mostly well younger than me, but I feel I did not disgrace myself, despite the fact that I had not paddled for months, IT WAS GEAT !
At 6:30 we turned up at the Ophir Tavern for their fund raising dinner and enjoyed it all, socializing and helping them to raise more funds, belly dancers for entertainment ! They raised another $1,000.
We were given a couple of complimentary Eagle Boys vouchers, so that became our dinner the Sunday night.
Continuing on to Young, we needed to find our Bank’s branch etc.
We were told that the riot act was read at nearby Lanning for the first time in Australia during the miners’ rebellion late last century, and we explored the
beautiful Chinese gardens, created in tribute to their efforts in the mining
and in settling the area.
Cowra was next, saw a great hologram at the info centre explaining about the war years and the internees there. There were not only Japanese, also Italians, Indonesians, Germans and a description of the breakout (it was much larger than I remembered) and the bravery of our soldiers. Then on to the site of the camp which is now heritage listed and we listened to the movement activated narrative of the story. Then to the cemetery which was very moving, many of the Japs buried there were 60 to 77 years of age.
We were enchanted by the Japanese Gardens in a natural rocky, sloping setting, tea house, running water, Koi fish in the pond, beautiful trees, the visiting birds, bonsai house, display of artifacts, the raked garden.
John and Christine drove up from Yass, we had lunch and caught up.
The caravan park was quite interesting, has railway memorabilia including obsolete signs which included Point Claire, very well appointed amenities, offered use of coax cable etc.
We were told that the riot act was read at nearby Lanning for the first time in Australia during the miners’ rebellion late last century, and we explored the
beautiful Chinese gardens, created in tribute to their efforts in the mining
and in settling the area.
Cowra was next, saw a great hologram at the info centre explaining about the war years and the internees there. There were not only Japanese, also Italians, Indonesians, Germans and a description of the breakout (it was much larger than I remembered) and the bravery of our soldiers. Then on to the site of the camp which is now heritage listed and we listened to the movement activated narrative of the story. Then to the cemetery which was very moving, many of the Japs buried there were 60 to 77 years of age.
We were enchanted by the Japanese Gardens in a natural rocky, sloping setting, tea house, running water, Koi fish in the pond, beautiful trees, the visiting birds, bonsai house, display of artifacts, the raked garden.
John and Christine drove up from Yass, we had lunch and caught up.
The caravan park was quite interesting, has railway memorabilia including obsolete signs which included Point Claire, very well appointed amenities, offered use of coax cable etc.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
ARIAH PARK
Monday 3rd May, John’s birthday, no phone coverage, we moved on past the cotton fields to a place that had been recommended ARIAH PARK.
Terrific, cost $10 per night and the third night free, power, water, plus free use of the twin tub washing machine in the amenities block so 3 nights there turned into 6. This meant I had to dredge up my memories of twin tub washing, great.
The nearest town was called Temora, really nice shops, a Bakery, patchwork and knick knacks, lots of others and Hardly Normal where we got a new computer mouse, its annoying when it only works some of the time.
Temora had a fantastic aviation museum far exceeding our expectations that I would recommend to anyone, the presentation was immaculate and all the planes were in flying condition and frequently did. The main financier was David Lowy, son of the Shopping Centre millionaire, spending his father’s money brilliantly.
We loved Ariah Park, the main street had a double row of pepper trees, the town had died and there was an active committee who were doing a good job trying to revive it, there was only a Hotel, corner shop with many empty shelves, motor repairs and stock agent, the rest of the windows were empty shops, but the inventive committee had placed displays of collectibles in them and kept them neat and clean.
Monday 3rd May, John’s birthday, no phone coverage, we moved on past the cotton fields to a place that had been recommended ARIAH PARK.
Terrific, cost $10 per night and the third night free, power, water, plus free use of the twin tub washing machine in the amenities block so 3 nights there turned into 6. This meant I had to dredge up my memories of twin tub washing, great.
The nearest town was called Temora, really nice shops, a Bakery, patchwork and knick knacks, lots of others and Hardly Normal where we got a new computer mouse, its annoying when it only works some of the time.
Temora had a fantastic aviation museum far exceeding our expectations that I would recommend to anyone, the presentation was immaculate and all the planes were in flying condition and frequently did. The main financier was David Lowy, son of the Shopping Centre millionaire, spending his father’s money brilliantly.
We loved Ariah Park, the main street had a double row of pepper trees, the town had died and there was an active committee who were doing a good job trying to revive it, there was only a Hotel, corner shop with many empty shelves, motor repairs and stock agent, the rest of the windows were empty shops, but the inventive committee had placed displays of collectibles in them and kept them neat and clean.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
GOGELDRIE WEIR
This is Gogeldrei Weir (second g is soft) we eventually spent 5 nights here so J could watch the motor racing on Sat and Sunday, yours truly veged out on cross stitch, reading etc. It was grassed with lovely trees, barbeques, seats, power, water, amenities. There was quite an amount of fishing attempted in the Murrimbidgee River, various bait - cheese, prawn heads - ZILCH, night and morning.
We travelled the 25 ks to Leeton a couple of times for sightseeing and some shopping etc. Had an interesting hour at the Sunrice Centre learning a few things we did not know about rice. I bought a shopping bag of oranges from a farmer (helped hinm pick them) and some limes and a melon, which turned out not to be a watermelon and was bitter.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Moving right along now to Griffith, decided on Tourist C/Park there.
We had heard much of the Hermits Cave and set off to explore it, got a great view of the town and climbed down over the edge of cliff to see the various caves he lived in, aparently he was an Italian, had un unhappy love experience and decided to drop out. He built a good life for himself, grew many foods in his garden and eventually the townspeople were able to draw him back to their company again. We generally explored the area and then went into Town and checked out the memorial to Donald Mackay whose death began the eventual expose of the illicit drug trade in Griffith.
We had heard much of the Hermits Cave and set off to explore it, got a great view of the town and climbed down over the edge of cliff to see the various caves he lived in, aparently he was an Italian, had un unhappy love experience and decided to drop out. He built a good life for himself, grew many foods in his garden and eventually the townspeople were able to draw him back to their company again. We generally explored the area and then went into Town and checked out the memorial to Donald Mackay whose death began the eventual expose of the illicit drug trade in Griffith.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Catching Up
It has been a long time since I hit this screen, but here goes -
On 22nd April John and I packed up van and car and set off for Wagga, booked into the Beach Caravan Park - $25 a night. Pleasant place decided to stay for 2 nights - set off the shop for fresh food - hadn't shopped for weeks, found the shopping centre - stocked up and headed home for a meal.
Friday 23/4/10 was time to explore the shopping centre again and then we set off exploring the town, went out to the RAF base, they were closed for refurbishment, had to content ourselves with taking a photograph of the real aircraft on display, on the Botanical Gardens - I think we missed those gardens, there were animals and a walk in bird aviary. The afternoon was spent on a museum display and a glass exhibition, wandering in the late afternoon sunshine was nice.
That night the rain came, lots of it, as Taswegians we were amazed, though I believe Tasmania got a share too.
Sunday we did the tourist thing again at Junee, the licorice factory, very well presented in an old flour mill - explored again then set off back towards Wagga-I found a beautifully restored chapel and took some photos, went to a field past Kapooka to watch some model planes, went on to Uranquity and bought the pies for tea, that were recommended by the receptionist at the museum who had lived in Tas for a while and thought it was great.
Packed up on the Monday and headed for Griffith.
Passed a lot of possible camps but we found a place beside Lake Wyangan, power, water - lovely view over the lake.
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