Day 2 Canowindra to Gulargambone
From Canowindra we drove through Cudal, Molong , Wellington and Geurie, then skimmed past Dubbo, which has grown into a huge city. Along the way we shared the road with many more motor bikes than usual. As we drove past the central hub of Dubbo, we discovered that it had been barricaded off for some special celebration or gathering of the bikie clans. Norm has since ’googled’, and we now know that it was ”All about the ride – The Dubbo Motor Bike Rally ”from Harleys to Hondas, Beemers and Piaggios to Posties” etc. We had also noticed that there were many more highway patrol cars than usual along the Mitchell Highway leading into Dubbo.
https://dubbomotorbikerally.com
The last leg for the day took us along the Castlereagh Highway to the quaint town of Gulargambone. https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/gulargambone-nsw
There are several eye catching corrugated iron sculptures of galahs beside the highway leading into the town, with plenty more around the town. My favourite sculpture was the spectacular “Ghost of Bullocks Past”:
Norm scheduled our camp for the night at the Gulargambone Caravan Park, well known for its Saturday Roast Camp Oven feast. https://www.gulargambonecaravanpark.com
There was plenty of time to relax and enjoy the peace of camp before joining our fellow campers for fivesies, whilst the camp ovens full of vegetables and beef sizzled on the camp fire sending out delicious smells to whet our appetites.
Following our delicious feast a chimney log was added to the fire along with some mysterious ‘stuff’ that sent up colourful flames of green, blue and purple. I enjoyed chatting with our neighbours, Jason and Sharna, on a trip from Bendigo up to Lightning Ridge and beyond.
Day 3 Gulargambone to Dirambandi
It was Mother’s Day today, and my morning was brightened by calls from my two eldest daughters, Jenni Marie and Deborah. After breakfast we continued on our way, with Coonamble being the first town where we paused to explore.
https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/coonamble-nsw
It was Sunday AND Mother’s Day so it was very quiet in town. There are many lovely old buildings, most needing some tender care and maintena
The Castlereagh Highway between Coonamble and Walgett was very rough in patches, showing signs of the recent flood damage. The countryside, however is looking fabulous, with the feed in the paddocks so high that the stock are hard to see. We saw many fat cattle and happy sheep; not to mention close encounters with local skippies and emus.
In the mid afternoon we drove into Sunny Queensland. We didn’t stop at Hebel to explore the interesting local store and pub. Norm was feeling a little dubious about our chosen bush for the night, beside the Ballone River at Dirranbandi. There has been so much rain lately and he was concerned it might be too muddy for us.
Although there were deep muddy wheel ruts leading into the camp site near the Balonne River Bridge, the surface was firm and dry. In no time camp was set up and we relaxed with a cuppa beside the river, enjoying the bird song as the sun set behind the trees. Many of the lower trees are surrounded by water, indicating that the river is much higher than usual. I had been thinking about my Tony and feeling sad that I would not be hearing from him for mother’s day. However, I was cheered up no end by a call from my youngest daughter, Jennifer as the sunset lit the sky turning it the most delightful crimson red.. I am very blessed.
ON THE ROAD 