MARCH 30

Spent today at home doing a few chores and trying to catch a very elusive mouse. We now have these ghastly tiny frogs moving into all the nooks and crannies and even into the truck doors. They maybe tiny but they are still a frog yuk YUK YUK!
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.

APRIL 2

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.


Down cascade to Homestead



View thru cascade to Homestead



Up Cascade to Temple

 

Chook Houses



Homestead ( Occupied only 1 month/year.)





Box Hedge Garden





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.



130 Year old School & Schoolhouse. Helen's House.





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.

APRIL 5

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.



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.

FEBRUARY 28

Today looked fine so we donned our bike gear and went into Orange. After a ride around admiring the streets lined with English trees we decided to visit Mt Canobalas which is visible from many places around Orange and even from where we are parked. This mountain is apparently the highest point between
here and Madagascar (so the locals say). The road up the mountain was steep and windy but the view was amazing, we could see all of Orange and out to the surrounding hills. From there we went to the lake which in the early days was Orange's water reservoir but has now been turned into a recreation area. It is well layered out and the bird life was abundant.


Orange in background



MARCH 1

First day of another month, first day of Autumn and it is raining. spent the day embroidering Mike's pockets and sewing them onto his shirts.

MARCH 2 &3

Stayed home and cleaned the van and prepared ourselves for a trip to Western Australia.
Thursday I cooked tea for everyone as Helen was back at work and I needed to empty fridge of perishables.

MARCH 4

Barry very kindly took us into Orange so we could catch a bus to Lithgow (nearly missed the bus even tho we were 45mins early) and then train to the airport and then plane to WA. It was an interesting trip even though it took about 4hours to Sydney. We were very pleased to actually get on the plane and know we were going. At the other end it was terrific seeing Michelle and the boys even though their grandmother embarrassed them by having the sniffer dog stop me and have my bag searched. I had put two ripe bananas in my bag to eat on the long trip into Sydney and threw the skins away at the airport before boarding the plane but of course ripe bananas have a strong smell and the lovely Beagle found the smell. All was well and I think the boys recovered.

MARCH 5 -19

We spent this time visiting family and friends. Visited Dr's for checkups and got a good report especially Mike.
Checked up on our work mates and all the local gossip. Finally the day for departure arrived and this time we were a little anxious as arrival of plane and catching the express train to Orange was critical and only one hours gap. We arrived in Sydney to pouring rain after spending 2 weeks in HOT WA and later in the day it was reported as the heaviest rain for Sydney in 4 years!!!.
We rushed from one platform at central station up and down stairs to the fartherest platform to catch the express train bearing in mind that poor Mike was still suffering extremely painful gout, no time to think about it. We caught the train with plenty of time to spare and enjoyed the trip back to Orange. Barry was there to meet us and bring us home. Need less to say we were most grateful and totally exhausted.

MARCH 22

Freezing cold but had to go into Orange to buy food and then we were right back home.

MARCH 23-25

Stayed home washing, cleaning etc and recuperating from our travels.

MARCH 26

Helen voted and then off to Dubbo we went. We visited the Dubbo Goal and what an eye opener that was. It has been very well restored and there were lots of historical tit bits to read and listen to. The isolation cells were awful, one was painted black and was so dark nothing could be photographs. At one stage I was standing at the door of the cell and Mike just inside (could have touched him if I had reached out) and we could not see him, it was unbelievable and oh so daunting. Poor souls who were locked in this cell. There was a hologram talking about the hanging of prisoners and this was very well presented.
We stayed the night in a cabin at a caravan park.

MARCH 27

After a delicious breakfast of bacon and eggs (cooked by Helen) we were off to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo. We hired a safari cart and let Mike be the driver!!!! With a map in hand off we went and had a wonderful time seeing all the animals. Although these animals are fenced in, the fences are in a gully so from where we look they appear to be free. It is a truly wonderful place and we all commented on how relax, happy, well fed and contented the animals all looked . After 6 hours roaming and eating we headed for home on a different route to going. We passed some of the characters on bikes in peoples paddocks between Yeoval and Molong. There is a trip one can do but it is quite long but we decided we had seen enough on the stretch of road we travelled.

2 of over 12 Giraffe




Hippopotamus




Very Rare Przewalski Horse




Galapagos Tortoise
















MARCH 28

Another trip to Orange for more food and a little retail therapy. We found 3 Patchwork shops all close by so had a lovely time browsing and buying a few bargains. I even managed to find the second William Morris applique book by Michelle Hill. It has been hard to find so very happy with my discovery.

MARCH 29

Parkes was calling today so off we went and had a great day. We called in at the Information centre and were amazed to discover there are three museums all side by side at the
visitor centre. The first one had memorabilia on Elvis, apparently Parkes holds  an Elvis Festival every January and we were amazed at the stuff in the museum, from fantastic jackets covered in Rhinestones and diamonds to his Army fatigues to a copy of his death certificate. From there we walked into a motor museum and there was Elvis's car which he had driven the day before he died.



4 of the original outfits worn on stage




1 of only 2 Gold Lame' Suits worn on stage.




Elvis's Gold Throne and outfits





The last car owned and driven by Elvis. A 1976 Cadillac Seville.
Note No Plate  "ELVIS 1"

 

















After the cars came a clutter of old goods and then outside was a huge collection of old tractors and machinery. The whole concept is very new and very well presented.



Emerson-Brantingham "Big Four" 30hp Tractor
Made in USA 1912



















The large telescope was amazing and although when we arrived it was perched like a dish and while we were having lunch it started to move and Mike rushed out to get some photos.

CSIRO "The Dish"

On the way home we called in at Manildra where the largest flour mill in the Southern Hemisphere is located. This mill processes 75% of all flour used in Australia.



Manildra Group flour Mill.



FEBRUARY 15

Happy birthday Michelle.
Today is moving day and off to Cowra. Found a Caravan park in the town and it was a lovely spot. Beside the park is a major road with a bridge and under this bridge a local artist has down some enormous indigenous drawings on the massive pylons. Very impressive.

FEBRUARY 16

Oh the birds. Sulphur crested cockies decided they really like the trees around the caravan park and would fly in every afternoon and create this awful noise until about midnight.
Went into town in the rain to see what we could see. It is a very old town with some wonderful buildings.

FEBRUARY 17

The sun is shining so a trip on the bike looked good. Headed out to the Wyangala Dam and what an amazing site as we approached the dam. The road crosses the dam and way down in the valley is the village of Wyangalla with an enormous stone wall over shadowing the village. Not sure I would like to live there.
From Wyangalla we went up the hills to a lookout at the back waters of the dam, a magnificent view.
We then headed to Woodstock and on the way down the hills it started to rain so found a large tree to shelter,naturally we still got wet as trees have lots of gaps. At the first sign of the rain letting up we took off only to get caught again. Lots of fun but poor Mike copped the lot, only my knees got wet.



Road across the Dam




Village of Wyangala beneath the Dam



FEBRUARY 18

A wander around town today in the sunshine.We saw the Peace Bell which was given to the people of Cowra in recognition of their efforts for world peace. While walking through town we discovered a Patchwork shop and spent some time looking around.

FEBRUARY 19

Another lovely day so off to the Japanese Garden which is the largest Japanese garden in the Southern Hemisphere. It was so peaceful and we walked around the whole garden enjoying the serenity.

FEBRUARY 20

Off in another direction today. We went to Canowindra via Woodstock and on the way we called in to see where the POW camp had been and learnt a little about the Japanese Breakout. While standing there a local x farmer pulled up so we had the whole story. It was one of the many POW camps that were throughout NSW and about 300 escaped but 260 died and all the others were captured within a short time.

FEBRUARY 21

Today we went to Young (Australia's main cherry growing area) and then on to Grenfell. These towns are all old and have lots of history. Grenfell had some interesting buildings. The Central NSW tablelands are amazing and the landscape is fantastic. There is a lot of lucerne grown and of course everyone keeps saying that everything is looking so good this year because of the rain.



Young



FEBRUARY 22

Happy birthday Kylie.
We spent the day at home trying to come to terms with the earthquake in our home town of Christchurch and wondering how our families have fared.


FEBRUARY 23

Last day in Cowra so cleaning and shopping. Went to the Patchwork shop to see an embroidery class and met some lovely ladies.


FEBRUARY 24

Off to Manildra (near Orange) today and we are now parked at a friends place . What a terrific place to stop, there is 4 acres with green lawn and lots of trees. Such a lovely spot to stop and will leave the van here when we head back to WA.

FEBRUARY 25

Barry and Helen took us into Orange to the gardens and there we met some of Helen's family. Had morning tea and then into town where Barry gave us a scenic tour of some of the magnificent buildings, for example Duntryleague guest house and golf course. There is a fantastic lead light window in the guesthouse and when it was in the hands of a well known local identity the Pope gave this beautiful window.



Duntryleague Guest House





18th Hole and terraces



FEBRUARY 26 & 27

Too hot to go anywhere so stayed inside and made a bag.