Dubbo, NSW, 21 July 2017

Dubbo, NSW, 21 July 2017 

Well, its been nearly a year since our last trip, and it’s a relief to be on the road again and heading toward somewhere warmer. 

We drove through thick fog from Murrumbateman out past Yass and halfway to Boorowa. The temperature hovered between 1 and six and back again. Finally we broke into some clear sunny conditions and we had a pleasant run through to Cowra, where we stopped at the info place and Maccas for a break and a nice cup of coffee. After our rest stop, and ignoring the temptation to wander around the Japanese Gardens, we drove up to Wellington where we found a single cafe open, well almost, they were putting their signs away right on 2 o’clock, but were happy to feed us anyway. Wellington the town looks even deader than when we were there last a few years ago.

From Wellington it’s a 100km or so run up to Dubbo where we found the Big 4, despite our GPS having not heard of it - and it’s being right next to the zoo. The most anxious part of any trip is that first go at parking the van again. Made it in only three goes, so not bad given I'm a bit rusty.

And to our relief, it’s a balmy 15 degrees, well at least until the sun goes down!

Had a bit of a drive around the parkland alongside the river, mainly to find the start of Parkrun, which I hope to be able to do tomorrow, before getting fuel and retiring to our van, heater on full-blast, all blankets out and on the bed. Brrrrr!

Had time to visit the Dundullimal Homestead, is widely believed to be the oldest surviving timber slab hut house in Australia.

Built around 1840 on Wiradjuri Country as the head station for a massive 6,500-hectare "squatting run", it is the oldest building in Dubbo open to the public.

Dundullimal homestead stables, Dubbo NSW 2017

Wellington NSW, May 2013

Wellington NSW, May 2013

Monday 26th became Friday 31st then miraculously became Wednesday 29th. Hey that's today! Not hanging around to be asked twice, we bolted, heading for Wellington in the west of NSW. Seemed to take an age to pack the van this time, I'm sure it's bulging at the seams, but hey, who cares, we is gone at last.

Stopped for a rest and a cuppa at Boorowa, then pressed on to Cudal where we had a hamburger at a cafe that looked more closed than open, but which was really good. Wandered into Wellington about 3:30pm and found a spot at the Riverside Caravan Park. Sign on the door read: 'Find a site, back in 10 minutes', so we grabbed a riverside spot between two others.

People on one side were rabbiting on about all the platypusses in the river. I wandered down with the camera and took some snaps up close, they are water rats! Had a wander about and then settled down for afternoon tea. The other neighbours then jumped on us telling us how someone or other had stuff stolen out of their car the last night. Talk about cheery start to the trip - puts you right off. Mind you, you do have to take sensible security precautions.

Wellington looks half-dead, apparently everyone drives the 50k to Dubbo to buy anything they want, and of course Coles, Woolies and Macdonalds have sent everyone else out of business. Mind you, we went to the Calf&Cow, a remodelled or 'gastro' pub, for dinner, took one look at the menu and the price tag and walked right out again. Unbelievable. Went into the RSL expecting a bistro; found a Chinese upmarket restaurant with Chinese girls in costume, chintzy red lanterns and everything, including weird oriental music. We looked around, we were the only ones there. Bolted for the door, finally found a pub and had bangers and veg and cutlets and veg at a sensible price.

OK Ok, here's your snap: