Month: January 2023

January 18th

After a couple of 40° plus days, a storm threatened, but all we got was wind and a not so good sun set. However the change of colours on the lake within a few hours was interesting.

The next morning we packed up, and drove the hour or so into Broken Hill. We have been through here a couple of times but never taken the time to stop and look around.

We drove up to the lookout, where they have constructed a new viewing platform and memorial to those that have lost their lives to the mining industry.  Starting from the 1800s to the last in 2019.

Still being constructed, is no doubt what will be, a modern glass restaurant and visitors centre .Think it will be popular when finished. The views over the city and mining area are good from up here.

It appears they are doing walkways to show the old mining machinery as well.

Next it was back down the hill for a cold strawberry malted milk shake, in a 50s milk bar.

The building is now into it’s 3rd generation, and the home is set up with 50s furnishings, including photos of the original owners and family

You can take your purchases into any of the rooms to sit, and go back in time. This is the first time I have seen the rainbow Venetian blinds, since a child, not even in a museum. These look original.

Loved this place, and the milkshake was just like the ones I used to buy for 1/3p. From there we drove out to the living desert sculptures. Walked around the pathways, some were well done and some were only like a big rock to me. Guess I’m not into modern art, all that much. Would of cost a small fortune, as they brought in nine sculptors from around the world to carve them.

OK, been there, done that. Next we were in Wilcannia, another place we have never stopped in, doesn’t have a good reputation, but with the Darling river in flood, we stopped for a look.

We stood on the old bridge and watched the locals having fun jumping off the bridge, into the flooded river. Others on jet skis and boats.

So much in flood out around these parts, this next little bridge was over a creek, and the water had spread for miles.

For a change of scenery we drove through a storm, before pulling off the road to stop for the night. A lot of nice birds and a lovely sunset to end the day.

A beautiful sunrise the next morning as we drove into Cobar, going to be another hot day.

There is a working gold mine in Cobar, we were able to veiw the mine from a lookout . As well as being an open cut mine there is some sort of underground tunnel. Not sure whats happening in there.

The next stop was in Nyngan, on the Bogan River. We pulled up for a cuppa and this is where Chris found that the Trusty Triton, had sprung an oil leak, not so trusty after all ! Just letting you all know, that it’s not always smooth going as our blog seems. We made phone calls, and changed our plans for the rest of our trip. Wont be going through Sydney now, heading home by next Wednesday as we have booked the TT into Casino, to get the oil seal fixed.

A pic of the painted water tower in Warren then on to Galarambone caravan park for the night, we needed electricity to run the air con and cool off !!. The park has one of the best camp kitchens we had seen. And the owner made us very welcome with a 5 o’clock beer and chat, just what Chris needed.

We had a look around town this morning at all the artwork. Hopefully it will bring more tourist, and get the town on it’s feet again after Covid.

Bit cute this one!

I think they have done a lot since we were here last. The parks and town all clean and brightened up. From there we drove through the Warrumbungle National Park.

Also stopped to a short bush walk to the White Gums lookout , not the best time of year to do it, however I did manage to find a few flowers still out. The view was a bit hazy, due to the heat, but still nice.

When we got back to the car, Chris noticed a bulge in one of the caravan tyres. Oh well, shit does happen!

He Changed the tyre, then we drove on to Coonabarabran, we have organized to have new tyres fitted there in the morning . Had a cuppa and talked to the ducks in a park, before checking into a nice shady caravan park for the night.

Thats it for tonight, lets see what tomorrow brings. XX

January 14th

Leaving the salt lakes area of Port Augusta we had decided it was best to go North as the South could be a bit tricky with all the flood waters downstream after the recent rains. So we headed into the hills and soon arrived at Wilmington, nothing was open, couldn’t even get a coffee, as we wandered the main street.

This toy museum looked interesting, we knocked on the door, no answer, the goat at the rear of the building ,in a jeep, was the only one interested in seeing us.

Hoping the town would come to life soon, we filled in time taking photos and looking at all the old cars. They all still go, even this little digger, tthat has had an oil change, on the foot path. !!

We had a cuppa in the van then walked back and rang the door bell of the puppet museum, we were in luck and welcomed in by the owner, a puppeteer. Wow what an amazing time we had in there. A guided tour and history of his amazing puppet collection, from all over the world.

This Chinese puppet is over 200 years old .

A very talented man, he did a number of puppet shows for us as well. He and his wife also hand made a lot of puppets for his shows, as well as for sale. His specialty is making Pinocchio, so Chris bought a Pinocchio and I got some other hand made things, no made in China here!

If you scroll in, no doubt you will see some of the much loved characters from your childhood.

As we were leaving he told us to ring the bell again at the toy place, as the owner would be there and had a great collection of toys. He and his wife also gave me a couple of small hand made gifts, I think they appreciated how much we enjoyed the place.

Off we went rang the bell and then found ourselves in the most complete collection of toys. Again from all over the world. And from every era, brought back so many memories of toys we had in the 30s -50s.

As well as collecting old cars, especially jeeps, this owner has rebuilt and remodeled lots of the cars on display.

Oh and these boats actually worked on the water. And the model ships made out of paper, my brother had quite a few of these precious toys. It didn’t matter what toy I asked about, and yes, he had one, and more than likely, a whole set.

Well that took up most of the day, so we drove on to Peterborough, had a look around town, then stopped at the oval for the night.

Chris was able to master the art of puppetry, well sort of!! I was happy to try and get some photos of the hares running around nearby. They were huge !!

The next morning we drove through a couple of old towns, that are all but deserted, but used to be thriving years ago. They were built along the railway line between Broken Hill NSW and Peterborough SA.

That night we stayed in Coburn caravan park, in Cockburn, just us and a lovely sunset, the last of South Australia behind us.

Next morning we crossed the border into New South Wales. And arrived in Broken Hill. We got some information on Menindee Lakes, and weather the flood water was as bad as the media were saying.

Told it was ok, but some roads would be shut. So we rang ahead to a caravan park and booked in, unhooked the van and went for a look, see, whats going on. Lots of SES vehicles running around. We went out to the weir, where the water flows are being controlled, and doing a good job of keeping the heights in Menindee below the 1976 flood level. It is now being reduced by 10cms per day.

Millions of carp (fish) trying to get back through the gates to head back upstream.

However the Darling River, is still creeping into the outskirts of town, and driving around is a sight to see just how much water there is being channeled through the area.

The lakes around Menindee are full to capacity, hard to believe that they can almost dry out in drought.

Where we are staying is on one of the smaller lakes, between two larger ones, that flow into it. Its popular for boating, and great for me to cool off, on a 44° day like yesterday.

Today we went for another drive into town, a few more road closures and peoples yards swamped. Very few houses have water in them from what we can see. However I think the water will be laying around for some time to come.

I spent most of today in the water, keeping cool, but now there is a storm brewing, so I’ll just relax here while Chris has a snack. Hopefully it won’t be a bad one.!

January 10th

After Norseman we started going across the Bight, we had a head on, south/east wind all day . The fuel guage was dropping fast, so we pulled into the scrub and made camp for the night, near Caiguna. As desolate as this area is, we both love this drive across, and I can always find something that I think, is worth taking a pic of. So the sun went down on another day and an almost full moon came up . And not a soul around.😴

Nothing new the next day, a very early start, before the wind started, but within a few hours, we called it a day and found shade under some trees, near Mundrabilla where us and the Triton stayed, until another early start the next day.

We crossed into South Australia, early next day, and the wind is still strong!!

Wind or no wind, we always have to have at least one night on the Bight. Not very spectacular at the moment, with that southerly weather hanging around.

Just being here makes you realize how insignificant humans are compared to mother nature. JUST ONE STEP !!

The next morning the view wasn’t any better from the van, but Chris did go to the limit to get this great shot!

S.A. has lots of long… straights, but good road, and nothing to stop for. We were able to do a few miles before stopping for the night at the old school site in Cohen.

All that remains is part of the original building and in recent times someone has built a small replica of the school.

With the cross country done, we took a right and went down to Smoky Bay, certainly not beach weather. We had lunch and walked out on the Jetty. There is an enclosed swim area off the Jetty, would of been nice to have a swim. Oh well 😞

A dozen (each), Smoky Bay, oysters Kilpatrick for dinner that night, made the stop worthwhile . We had travelled North again and were at Wadinna overnight for our over indulging meal.

Today we passed the halfway across Australia point at Kimba, stopped for fuel, before going on to Iron Knob..

We had a bit of a break there, so hot today. 40 ish!! This would have to be the worst town,.. nothing but a rubbish tip for old cars and derelict buildings, save by a few fadeing murels.

There is still a mining museum, which is now free. Oh and a new murel on the bowling club, but it wasn’t open.

On to Port Augusta this afternoon, did some much needed Woolworths shopping and are now staying at the RV site in town. Still blowing a gale. Think thats enough complaints for today . Night for now,xx

January 5th 2023

We had intended to leave Perth and head back East on New Year’s day, but heard on the grapevine that one of my cousins was flying in from Sydney to visit his brother, soooo whats a day when it meant I could see both of them for a short time. Lots of photos and catching up. Great way to start the New Year.

So we left Perth on the 2nd, heading South East, through the southern wheatbelt, stopping for a break at Newdegate.

A very strong south easterly wind was blowing so we pulled into the little town of Varley for the night. Well done to the town of 40 residents who provide the Chicken Ranch campsite for travellers. There is also a rabbit cemetery there, for the rabbits that lost their lives to the rabbit proof fence🤣(look up rabbit proof fence, if you havnt heard of it). Well maintained BBQs and amenities .

I even cooked a cake in the chicken coop! It had electricity, a microwave and even a small washing machine. Well worth a donation to keep this fun stop open.

It’s been awhile since we did rock climbing, so we tested out our fitness and the Triton. Nothing frightens the Triton, but my legs ached that night.

The rocks are actually called dams, they have walls around the base that channel the water run off into storage tanks, that provide water for the small towns. Built many years ago by the first settlers, one of these is still being used today.

Driving on the next day, we past many salt lakes and wandered around more rocks, it fascinates me that the growth on the rocks looks completely dried up and dead, but springs to life again after rain.

Farmers over west have a great sense of humor, came across this on the way to Lake King.

Also a tractor museum with DIY tractors. Quirky but interesting.

The grain silos at Ravensthorpe, yes they look abstract, but true to the bushland that is covered in banksia bushes around this sandy area. It’s lovely to see some bush flowers still out as we travel.

Oh, did I mention that Ravensthorpe has a yummy lolly shop. Hmmm, a must to visit.

We arrived in Hopetoun, and the wind was blowing a gale, so we nestled in behind the sand dunes for an overnight stay. We would’ve stayed longer, but its not beach weather. Very choppy when we arrived and overcast and quite cool this morning.

We left early this morning and headed North again towards Norseman. We stopped along the way so I could do a walk amongst these beautiful treess that are in full bloom at the moment, also some wildflowers and banksias at different stages of bloom.

Hopefully it won’t be the last time I get to wander through the wildflowers of WA. Now out of the Mallee country, we are overnight in Norseman before heading across the Nullabor over the next few days. Hopefully the wind will drop, or get behind us. Guess thats it, from WA for this trip.

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2022

We drove into Perth City in the afternoon ,after having lunch with my niece at Lakeside Jundulup shopping centre. Nice to have a catch up and spend an hour or so with her.

The sun was just starting to go down as we parked the car and walked across the Matagarup footbridge to the East side of the river. Found a spot on the bank and settled in for the 8 Pm fireworks. They were great viewing with the sunset as a backdrop.

With that finished it was time to fill in nearly 4 hours till midnight. Easy for me with camera . We walked over, under and all around the bridge area and parks. My love of rainbows means I enjoy the ever changing colours on the bridge and reflections on the water.

4 years ago I had thoughts of doing the bridge climb, when here next. But looking up tonight I have given that idea away. Chris did some people watching, I won’t repeat what his thoughts were. By tnen there were party’s on river boats and the final night of 2022 was in full swing.

We went for a drive to fill in some time, then decided to watch the next display from the other side of the river in front of Gloucester Park raceway. We had the advantage of watching their fireworks as well. Wasn’t sure where to point the camera next. We had a magnificent night, and look forward to 2023. We personally have had a great year of travelling and hope we can continue this year. Happy 2023 everyone.