Sydney June 2014

June 13^th, As we were leaving the Caravan Park, Val handed in the amenities keys and was told the overnight temperature was minus 2, no wonder we felt the cold. The drive to Sydney was pleasant enough but when we were driving up Mount Victoria; I was a little worried, as the car was straining up the long steep uphill drive and developed a noise that I hadn’t heard before. At one stage I had to get down to first gear and I was very glad to get to the top and start the downward descent. We made it to the Caravan Park, booked in and got set up. We now had another clicking noise coming from the back of the car, mainly when I applied the brakes. We drove over to Greg and Dianne’s place and Greg gave me my Birthday present from all the Family, A side grinder, which was what I needed as my old one had developed a short. They ordered in Chinese for dinner, which was very good, and Dianne said she could take our car in to her work (Heartland Holden) on Tuesday and let them check it out.

June 14^th, We had intended to watch Jessica and Annaliese playing Netball today but it was raining, so we did “plan B” and went for a stroll around Parklea Markets instead. I was getting more worried about continuing to drive our car, especially into the City, as it would be a major problem if it broke down and I didn’t want anything to mar Val’s big Birthday celebrations. So, I did a swap with Greg for his dual cab and we went into Steven and Ed’s place at Elizabeth Bay, where we were staying for the night. After catching up with Steven and Ed and having a few pre-dinner drinks, we got dressed up in our finery to go out for a family Birthday dinner (destination unknown to Val and myself). Our driver arrived to pick us up and a ¼ hour later we were dropped off at the Overseas Shipping Terminal at Circular Quay and walked to the Cruise Bar and Restaurant. After another pre-dinner drink, while looking out over Circular Quay and the Opera House, we moved upstairs to the Restaurant where our table was along the large glass windows, so the view didn’t change. We enjoyed a wonderful 3 course meal with some nice wines. When it came time to leave, Steven insisted that we call into the Grain Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel for a nightcap before Greg, Dianne, Jessica and Annaliese left to go home, as they had a big Netball Event tomorrow. We were surprised to find waiting for us in the Grain Bar was another group of Steven’s friends, some that we have known for many years, so it was good to catch up with Margaret, Nikos and Sandra. As we left the Bar, after saying all our good-byes, Val gave me a carry bag to look after while we were leaving and we jumped in a Cab out front, on George Street, and went back to Steven and Ed’s place, where Val asked me for the bag, to look at all her presents and I realized that I left it in the Cab! Bugger! The worst loss was the Gold Earrings that Greg and Dianne had given Val. Steven posted the loss on several Taxi lost Property sites and even rang the Hotel, who checked the Bar and even looked through their CCTV footage and could only confirm that I walked out through their door carrying the bag. Unfortunately the Hotel’s CCTV did not cover the outside street where we got into the cab, so was unable to tell us the Taxi Company we had used. If the earrings don’t get returned I will replace them for Val.

June 15^th, We had a light breakfast at Steven and ED’s, then went for another mystery drive to an unknown destination for lunch. We where both delighted when we arrived at Neilson Park, as we had not been to this Park in a very long time. Unfortunately it was overcast and showery but the sailing boats were racing by, on the Harbour, as we walked along the pathway to the Kiosk, for lunch. After enjoying a great lunch we went to the Broadway Shopping Centre, for a browse, had a look at some earrings and finished up with a Coffee and Cake before heading back to Elizabeth Bay. After a final drink (only coffee for me) we loaded our gear into Greg’s Truck and drove back to Glenwood, to swap over cars.

June 17^th, Happy Birthday Val. I took our car into Heartland Holden, Dianne met me there and introduced me to the Service Manager, and we all went for a drive to let him listen to the various noises. Dianne dropped me back at the Caravan and went back to work. Val got her final Birthday Surprise when Greg, Dianne, Jessica and Annaliese all arrived this afternoon with a Birthday Cake. That was a lovely surprise!

June 18^th, Dianne rang with the bad news about the car. It needs the 4 rear diff bushes replaced, requiring special tooling and dropping the diff assembly, CV joint repaired and stabaliser bushes replaced. All resulting from the constant towing of our Caravan. Dianne picked us up on her way home from work and after dinner we all watched The State of Origin game. It was a series WIN for NSW after a drought of 8 years. Greg dropped us back home after we decided not to accept his offer of his vehicle, as there is a good bus service from our Caravan Park to anywhere in Sydney and we didn’t want to inconvenience either Greg or Dianne any more than we had to.

June 19^th, Dianne rang with the best quote she could find and we are up for $1540, with it all being ready to pick up late on Monday. We will have to extend our stay in Sydney, so will probably add another week.

Dubbo to Bathurst June 2014

June 9^th, we packed up this morning and drove to Dubbo, with a short stop at Gulargambone, to get a photo of their flying corrugated iron galahs and have a quick look around Town. I had an Uncle on a farm, not far from Gulargambone, when I was in my Teens. We booked into the Poplars Caravan Park, in Dubbo’s CBD, for a 3 night stay and set up. After lunch we drove up to the Orana Mall and had a look around. We have been to Dubbo quite a few times, as Val’s Mother and

a brother lived here some years back.

June 10^th, The Manager at our Park recommended B&C Caravan Service as the best place to buy a replacement door handle for the Van. So I went to get the parts I wanted and he was out of stock of handle assembles but had a box of old handles and was able to sell me the inside half (which had the handle I needed) for $15. I found out later that the new complete door lock assembly sold for $120, so I was thankful that he was out of stock. I went back home and rebuilt the door lock ass’y from all my bits and now it works perfectly. Val walked across the road to the Coles Arcade and continued along the main street, having a bit of Retail Therapy, so when she wandered back home at 5pm she was one happy girl.

June 12^th, We packed up and moved to Bathurst, for a one night stay, before moving on to Sydney (Rouse hill) tomorrow. There is only one Caravan Park in Bathurst, the Big4 Panorama Holiday Park and we were lucky to get put on a site long enough to allow us to stay hooked up, so we will get a quick start tomorrow.

Coonamble June 2014

June 6^th, we packed up this morning and drove to Coonamble. We booked into the Riverside Caravan Park, in Coonamble, for 3 nights. The Park was booked out and vans were virtually 2 to a site (one powered and one not powered) as this was a long weekend and their annual Rodeo and Campdraft Competition was on for the 3 days. Val took me out to the local Bowling Club to celebrate my 74th Birthday. We had a nice meal at the Bistro and found that they were having a meat and vegie raffle at 8pm. So, Val bought some tickets and we went home with 3 meat trays, priced at $30 each (How good is that?)

June7th, We went down to the Rodeo around 11am and made our way to the main arena. There was a good crowd there but no problem to find a seat with the sun at our backs. It was awesome to watch these cowboys and cowgirls risk their necks to compete in these Rodeo Events. We saw bull riding, horse riding (with and without a saddle), Steer wrestling, Rope and tie, Lifting the colour (coloured ribbon on the back of a running steer, a cowgirls event), team events and of course, The Clown who was always amusing the crowd or the kids. We saw some of the Cowboys get hurt (not surprising) but the worst incident was a bucking horse that bucked violently into a steel fence and dropped dead from a broken neck. The rider was thrown onto the fence but was able to walk away. We took the time to take a walk around the various stalls, which were all selling products aimed at the Rodeo population.

June 8^th, We had an early lunch and went down to the Rodeo and decided to go to Campdraft area first. This event involves the rider selecting a steer from a group of 7 that are put into the yard, then controling its movement to separate it from the group before the steer is released from the yard. The rider must drive the steer in a figure eight pattern around 2 markers, then through the end markers. It was broken up into men’s, ladies and aged groups. The youngest rider started from 7 years old and we were amazed at how the young riders could ride, control their horses and complete  the course. Not all the contestants finished the full course and we could see how difficult an event it was. Some of the steers had a mind of their own, so went where they wanted to go. It was very interesting to watch, so after a couple of hours we went back to the main area and finished off the day watching the bucking horses and bulls. We have really enjoyed going to the Rodeo, it was interesting and educational as we had not been to one before. Tomorrow we move on to Dubbo, continuing on our way back to Sydney.

Lightning Ridge June 2014

June 1^st, I woke up this morning to find drizzling rain and puddles of water all around the Park. Val informed me that we had torrential overnight rain and I slept through it all, while she was up making sure the awning was alright. The showers continued all day so the entertainment was cancelled for tonight.

June 2^nd, We went down to the fossicking heap at the Information Centre and Val was very excited when she found a couple of rocks with a minute seam of white opal through it. I gathered up some chips of worthless rock and Val was happy to be able to say she had been “noodling” in Lightning Ridge and found a seam of Opal.

 

June 3^rd, We went on a drive to see the “3 Pubs in the scrub” at the Grawin and Glengarry Opal Fields. It was around an hours drive from Lightning Ridge, passing through the Town of Cumborah and out to the Opal Fields, where the tarred road changed to gravel. We couldn’t believe the number of animals and birds we saw on this short drive, all alive, Kangaroos, Goats, Sheep with newborn Lambs, Emus, Hawks and Galahs and the “Road kill”, deceased, Kangaroos, Pig, Emu, sheep and a rabbit. Our first stop was at “The Club in the Scrub”, which had a Golf Course with dirt greens. We were surprised to see a dozen cars parked outside and noticed that most of them were unregistered. Obviously “rego” is not needed to drive around the opal Fields! After signing in we found out the miners and wives were here to play “Bingo”. We had a long chat with the Barmaid while we sat at the bar and ate our delicious lunch. I had an open hamburger and Val had bacon and eggs, with a glass of Chardy. Our next stop was “The Sheepyard Inn” with its big open wood fire burning well. Their restaurant was an old Train Dining Carriage and the locals friendly. As we drove out we were amused at this sign (see photo) and how appropriate it was, knowing the condition of vehicles driven around the Opal Fields. Our last stop was at the famous “Glengarry Hilton Pub” boasting accommodation and meals. Val chatted up a few drinking locals and took their photo. We did enjoyed our Tour today and have found that these Miners are a happy lot that enjoy their style of living and their pubs in the scrub have all the same activities that you would find in any Hotel, in a suburb or Town.

June 4^th, We went to the Bowling Club for the 4pm raffles only to find we had been wrongly advised and they weren’t on till tomorrow, so we settled for a chardy and a flutter and left after a couple of hours even, so a free days entertainment.

June 5^th, Tomorrow we leave for Coonamble, so we went into Town and visited a few of the Opal Shops, then back to the Park to pack up. While I was going in and out of the Van, putting things away, ready to travel, I opened the door from the inside and the door handle came off in my hand! Bugger! Then I wasted a half hour or more fiddling with the door lock to prevent us being locked in with no way out. I removed the inside assembly and took out the broken parts of the handle and re-assembled it so the outside handle was working properly and I could open the door on the inside by using a screwdriver. What I wasn’t going to tell you was that while fiddling with the door mechanism, at one stage I closed the door and found that I couldn’t open it from the outside. I didn’t panic, as Val was still inside but without a handle, she could not open the door. I got Val to open the widow over the lounge and I removed the screen and with the aid of our step ladder, climbed in with some tools and managed to get the door to open. After removing and refitting the door latch assembly correctly, I got to the workable stage where the outside handle worked normally, I could get it open from the inside with my screwdriver but I wasn’t able to lock the door and we can live with that. The nearest spare parts place to Lightning Ridge is at Dubbo, only 360 klms away.