Bourke

Arrived Bourke for late lunch.
Unhooked the van and took a trip out towards Louther, down the Darling.
We wanted to check out access to the river for future reference. Superman thinks he will try his hand at paddling the Darling on a future trip. Batgirl (AKA old bat) needs a little more convincing.
While we were 4x4 driving in and out of access roads to the river, we got a flat tyre. Back to town to try to get it fixed, only to find that at 5.20 pm on Friday evening, the only tyre repair place in town had already turned the compressor off and planned to go away for the weekend. So there is nothing we can do until Monday. We’re in the Outback now.

Last night we attended a community campfire (BBQ, pancakes & billy tea) with aboriginal dancers and a fabulous bush poet.
It was a great night and we met a few fellow grey nomads who are a wealth of information.

Broken Hill to Cobar

Left Broken Hill fairly early, there was a mass evacuation of the caravan park. Everyone else had the same idea.
It is amazing how many grey nomads are doing the same thing. They are going in all directions.

We drove to Wilcannia but kept driving because we didn’t like the feel of the place. Arrived at Cobar – quite a lot to see here.
Saw lots of wild goats and eagles along the way and fabulous wide open vistas of saltbush and grassy plains.

Patchwork shop at Broken Hill

I have discovered, by chance, that a patchwork group meets at the Broken Hill YWCA every Monday and Wednesday and the Quilt Guild meets on Saturday morning. I would have liked to join them, but because of school holidays they are not meeting this week, so I have missed out. There is a small patchwork shop at Broken Hill which also passes for a craft and gift shop

Tonight we are at Cobar and there is a very nice patchwork shop with a great selection of fabrics. I am so far resisting because I have brought so much hand sewing with me that, at the rate I am going, will keep me busy until September.

Broken Hill

Photos:
Mundi Mundi at sunset
Sturt Desert Pea
Pro Hart Gallery (2)

Had a fabulous first day in Broken Hill.

Started off with a walking tour around town.

Then we drove to the top of the Mullock Heap that dominates Broken Hill. There is a scenic lookout and cafe with 360 degree views. Also lots of old mine machinery and a memorial site.

We then visited the Pro Hart Gallery. I loved this, and I was surprised to find that his art was much more diverse than I realised. And it is all very nicely set out in his special gallery. Ray liked the painted Roles Royce out the front.

In the afternoon we drove out to the Living Desert and rock sculptures - a great place. The sculptures were great, but the views were spectacular. I had my first sighting of the Sturt Desert Pea growing wild in the desert. It is more beautiful in reality than I imagined it could be.

We then drove to the historic town of Silverton famous for its silver mine (lots of Mad Max memorabilia). We drove onto the Mundi Mundi Lookout - a magnificent vista at sunset. With 360 degree desert views. The photo doesn't do it justice. It's no wonder people thought the world was the shape of a dinner plate.

Cape York and Beyond the Black Stump 2011

WE'RE OFF AGAIN

The weather is very cold in Melbourne and it's a good time to head north to warmer weather.

Our first port of call is Rochester where we have caught up with Ray's sister Lindy.

Ray and his brother had been up to Rochester earlier in the year to help with cleaning up after the recent floods. Graham and Lindy had quite extensive damage and we were interested to see how they were faring. Many of the locals are still not out of the woods yet. Lots of water damage, and now mildew is becoming an issue. The red tape of getting things fixed is still a problem for lots of people. Many properties around Kerang are still under water and it seems they will never recover. The Murray Valley Highway still has flood damage and we had to make a detour.

After a nice afternoon with Lindy and tea at the local pub, we proceeded the next day onto Wentworth, one of our old Murray River stops. It was good to see that there was not too much flood damage here, considering it is the meeting of the two rivers (the Murray and the Darling).

It was very cold and windy so we have continued north to Broken Hill.

A long flat drive but there are already some wild flowers out along the way, lots of purple and yellow.

** The above photo is Sunset from Broken Hill.