How bad is that. We are almost home.
Since my last visit to this page, we have spent a few days in Wagga Wagga. This is one of the biggest country towns in N.S.W. with a population of over 60,000. For a town that size, we didn't find a lot to do. Did the customary town stroll, which was huge, and into the shopping centre mall for a coffee. The town itself is really spaced out, with a huge shopping precinct.
It's amazing when travelling around, how you keep seeing the same people, at different caravan parks. We met up again with people we had befriended in Lightning Ridge, had dinner with them at Dubbo and after a change of plans, met them again at Wagga. Had a really good night playing cards in the camp kitchen. They only live in Upway, so we can catch up again when we get home.
The following morning we headed off to check out the Botanical Gardens. They have lots of little separate gardens, for camellias, proteas, roses and the like. They also have a little zoo, which is really quite good. Only passive types of animals there, plus, a really good aviary. Sorry, but yes, more bird photos coming, and plant photos.
They have some really beautiful lyrebirds, just walking around the zoo, as well as a really flashy peacock that was attempting some sort of rendezvous with another peacock. Wasn't having much luck but at least we liked his plumage.
Got back to the park and went down to the river to check out the local flying fox population. There is a really big colony just down the back of the park. I think they must destroy the local trees, as the trees they had all congregated on appeared to be dead.
The following day the weather was pretty good, about 15C, but at least no wind. Deb decided that we should get the bikes out for an easy ride into town. I had already picked up the map and checked out the bike path??? A relatively easy 2 Klm ride into town, get off the bike track and into a café. It doesn't get any better than this.
They only problem was, I hadn't explained my perfect ride to 'Deb, the personal trainer, torturer'. After the first couple of Klms I sadly watched the exit to the café disappear behind me. ' Deb the torturer ' was on a mission to check out the track??? We pressed onwards, ever searching for the track, until we came to a stile. Not to be dissuaded, I picked up the bikes and put them over the fence. By now we were riding on an ever disappearing track, up and down hills, into the never never. Running low on water, and of course, with our map safely back in the caravan. Does this ring a bell to you all.
Onwards we continued, over another couple of stiles, through the wilderness, searching for the end of the track and salvation. Even Deb was scanning the horizon at this stage, looking for a rest stop. After about 5 klms through the forest, we finally came to a road, and pressed onwards into town, looking forward to having a lie down on the footpath with my coffee. These fold up bikes are great, but, they are not made for orienteering and mountain bike riding.
When we got into town I checked out the Memorial Gardens, which were really well done, with a different garden area for each war. The centre piece, with an eternal flame is a marvellous tribute to the soldiers. Whilst I was checking this out, 'Deb the torturer' was resting on a park bench, enjoying a life giving cigarette after our tough ride.
Finally back to the van park for a resting afternoon before heading off the next morning.
Of course, over night it rained and rained. By the time it came to hitch up the van, our site was sodden, which means of course, that I also got wet. The temperature was about 6C and it was freezing cold. Unhooking the hoses and stowing them away was not much fun at all. By the time I got in the car to drive off I was bloody frozen.
It rained most of the way to Beechworth, and when we pulled into the town, the car temp told us it was 7C outside. How awesome is that. We pulled into our soggy site and set up, and of course, now frozen again. How much fun is this. They only thing to fix the body was a trip in to the Beechworth Bakery for a coffee and of course, a cream cake. How awesome. I felt better immediately.
The next day we just did a bit of a trip around the town. Went and checked out the Woolshed Falls, about 5 k's out of town. After the recent rain they were really impressive. Then checked out the local cemetery where there are about 2000 Chinese graves, dating back to the gold rush days. There is a couple of burning towers at the entry to the Chinese section. These towers were used by the mourners, who would burn paper prayers and leave meals for the deceased.
We took the scenic drive around Beechworth, about 5 klms, but alas, it was spitting with rain and the clouds were really low. We never got to see any of the 'wonderful views of the valleys', 'scenic vistas' or 'beautiful views of the mountain range', as we couldn't see any of it. We checked out the local powder storage museum on our travels. This is where the gunpowder was stored, back during the gold rush era. It was so designed that if it happened to explode, the blast would be diverted upwards, this not destroying a huge area around the town.
Checked out another little waterfall at the end of the 'scenic drive'. Not as impressive as the first one, but in the distance you can see an historic bridge. This bridge was built way back in 1872 and it was built without mortar. It just has big granite blocks held together by keystones? It is supposedly just as strong now as it was back then. Pretty impressive really. Had a final visit to the Beechworth Bakery and when walking back to the car Deb saw some Antique Shop signs on the next street. Now, we must have been away too long, because Deb said she didn't need to look in them, as she had her own antique. How cheeky is that. Of course, being the gentle soul that I am, I was deeply hurt. Probably need a cream cake to get over the pain.
The saddest part of this entry, is that tomorrow we are heading off to Seymour, for a one night stop and then heading home. I hope that any of the stayers still reading have enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed typing it.
If you have any suggestions for improvements for our next trip just email me at barryd1955@gmail.com
By4now.
Barry and Deb.
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