Mike checked our gas fittings and guess what, more frogs.
MARCH 31
Off to Orange to top up with groceries but no fruit as we are heading off into the Fruit Fly Free Zone on Monday.
APRIL 1
Today is Helen's birthday and we made her dinner as it is the last opportunity for us all to have a meal before we leave. We had a most enjoyable time and wandered home to be greeted with frogs up the wall of the van.
Jemma turns 18 today.
Today is a special treat we are all going to the Mayfield Gardens in Oberon (up in the mountains). Barry kindly drove and it gave Mike the opportunity to see the countryside..
The gardens are opened for 3 weekends in the Spring and three weekends in the Autumn, so lucky for us we were around for the first of the Autumn weekends. The trees are just on the turn so it was lovely to see the golds, reds and the green all merging.
There is 100 acres of garden, started about 5 years ago and still in progress. It is on the side of a hill so a small bus is provided and this takes you up to the top to the Chapel (built for the daughter's wedding in 2010) and then you gradually wander down seeing the different gardens as you go. The homestead was amazing and check out the chook pens (pictures below). All in all a fantastic day and will tell everyone we meet that they must go see.
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| Down cascade to Homestead |
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| View thru cascade to Homestead |
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| Up Cascade to Temple |
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| Chook Houses |
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| Homestead ( Occupied only 1 month/year.) |
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| Box Hedge Garden |
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| Water Garden |
APRIL 3
Pack up day today so Mike went through the truck and every other hidey hole to make sure we had no hitch hikers on board. He disposed of quite a few but as soon as his back was turned they hopped straight back, even several Huntsman spiders. Helen had us for tea tonight as Barry leaves early for work and we wouldn't see him. It was a lovely evening but sad too as we will be sad to leave this lovely place and our exceptional hosts.
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| 130 Year old School & Schoolhouse. Helen's House. |
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| Our House |
APRIL 4
From Manildra we passed through Parkes and Forbes. Once we had left Forbes the countryside suddenly went flat, large paddocks for cropping and few trees. we were amazed at how the terrain changed so dramatically.
On our way to Narrandera irrigation channels and paddocks of rice started to appear. Some paddocks were being harvested.We are parked beside Lake Talbot and the view is so relaxing. Once the truck stopped out popped 8 frogs, obviously hitched a ride from Manildra, and the mouse came too.
Did the shops in Narrandera and topped up the fruit as we are now in the Fruit Fly free zone we can buy veg and fruit but must have proof of purchase if the quarantine guys stop you. There wasn't much to see but we found a Ceramic fountain made by Royal Doulton for a Mr Hankinson who presented it to the people of Narrandera. The fountain was to honour those in the Narrandera district who served in WW1.
This whole area is renown for its bird life and there are many Hides where the birds can be spotted. The town was full of beautiful trees all about to change to the Autumn colours.
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| Lake Talbot |
APRIL 6
Off to Berrigan today, our last stop before Deniliquin and the Rally. Once again we are now in the Riverina area, flat land, irrigation channels and travelling irrigators. We passed quite a lot of rice paddocks and one huge paddock of maize/corn.
Found our caravan park, quite small but very reasonable so quite happy here for a few days. There is another 5th wheeler parked here and they are also off to Denni.
APRIL 7
Went off to get some groceries and Mike went off to the hardware store to buy some mouse traps. There are mice here and we have been told Denni is having a plague so will try and block up all the holes with steel wool before we leave here.
APRIL 8
The weather is still fantastic so off back to Jerilderie today and had a wander through the small town. Its rise to fame is the only town in NSW to be held up by the Kelly Gang so silhouettes of Ned Kelly are on top of many of the shops. They have the original Post Office where Ned sent a letter and then he cut the telegraph wires so no messages could get out.
There is also a huge windmill made by Steelwings- only 6 were made and this is the only one still working) set in a park. It was on a station but brought into the town in the 70's.
We went clothes shopping for clothes for a B&W Ball, had fun in the Red Cross shop in Berrigan and St Vinnies in Jerilderie. We had success and now have clothes for the ball.
From Jerilderie we went on to Finley, drove through the town as not much to see and home again.
We went to the Pub for tea with Terry and Trish (other 5th wheeler), lovely meal and met some real local characters. Walked home and as we were sitting relaxing getting ready for bed a little mouse popped in, scurried across the floor and through the vent by the water heater. Bearing in mind we have traps set all over the place but who wants that food.
APRIL 9
We caught a mouse last night. Mike went off to the hardware store and bought some wire fly wire and now he is busy covering all the vents. We have to try and make sure we are all blocked up before Monday.
