1-2 NOVEMBER 2021
Today is the second Tuesday in November and that means THE Melbourne Cup Race Day. We have just watched Verry Eleegant win, with the favourite, Incentivise second and Spanish Mission third.
Yesterday we drove over the mighty Murrumbidgee river, through Balranald and along the almost straight Sturt Highway across the billiard table flat Hay Plains, and back over the Murrumbidgee to Hay. Norm and I recalled that back in our young days, working in the Lands Department, one of the worst punishments that could be threatened for poor performance was to be sent to the Land Board Office at Hay. Banjo Patterson rated Hay as better than Hell and certainly better than Booligal as a destination:
https://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/paterson-a-b-banjo/poems/hay-and-hell-and-booligal-0004009
We settled in to the little ‘Big 4 Hay Plains Van Park’. It suits us very well, with lovely shady trees, green grass and friendly owners.
It is many years since we last visited Hay, and neither of us recall having ever stayed here. On our way out to top up supplies YET again, we had a quick look around town. The painted water towers stood out, and are a very impressive tribute to Local Servicemen and women who served their country.
https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/hay
Last night we treated ourselves to a night out for dinner at the conveniently located South Hay Hotel, right across the street from our Caravan Park. Their Facebook page informs that it is the oldest pub in Hay. It is certainly cosy and welcoming, and we enjoyed our dinner very much (crumbed cutlets for him and Barramundi for me).
The climate here in Hay its ideal for growing Roses. There are many amazing rose gardens, all perfectly in bloom. This morning we did some more site seeing, with mixed success. The old Bishop’s Lodge is an amazing old building, so perfectly designed for comfortable living in the extreme climate here.
Next, Norm tried to get into Gaol without success. We could not find the way in!
Of course we just had to pay a visit to the old Lands Office, which is obviously no longer occupied.
We drove past the Shed Out Back, but with the temperature now over 30 degrees, did not feel energetic enough to visit, so continued on to the local butcher. Macca, to top up supplies for the next few days free camping on our way home.
ON THE ROAD 
Thank you
John Sent from my iPad
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