Tuesday 26 July 2022
During the evening, after I posted the previous blog from Grenfell, showers blew in on an arctic wind. We cranked up the gas heater, and stayed cosy inside the van as the wind whistled around the van and the rain pelted the roof in a watery stacatto rhythm.
We woke on Tuesday to a very watery, bleak grey Grenfell morning. When the dogs and I set out to explore our surroundings at the old Grenfell Railway Station, the sun made a very weak attempt to brighten the morning. The Grenfell Men’s Shed is accomodated in part of the old station precinct. I expect that the men may have been responsible for at least some of the interesting sculptures decorating the grounds.
Grenfell (or Emu Creek as it was first known), was settled by gold miners in the 1860’s. The sculpture depicting a gold pan and pick illustrates those beginnings. However the area developed into a wheat and sheep growing region, which is reflected by the silos.
Leaving Grenfell we drove though misty emerald green countryside, towards the Cherry growing region of Young.
By the time we reached Young the bitterly icy cold wind cut right through us when we paused to take some scenic shots of town. We quickly jumped back into the truck, and proceded through the winding main street of town, past a very colourful bungalow and continued along our way towards the twin towns of Murrumburrah-Harden.
We paused for morning tea at the rest area near Murrumburrah. Apart from taking a scenic shot of the twin towns below, we stayed in the warmth of the van whilst enjoying our cuppa.
In Murrumburrah we visited the eye catching Sculpture of ‘Bill the Bastard’, in memory of that famous horse from the Light Brigade from WWI.
It was time for our lunch stop by the time we reached the village of Binalong. I had just started preparing our lunch when cyclonic winds started buffeting the van and the roof was pelleted by icy rain drops. By then, the thought of another night camping was rapidly losing its apeal.
We made the call to simply head home to the delights of central heating, warm slippers and endless HOT water for showers. Ironically and much to our relief the weather had improved rapidly by the time we approached the Highlands. We were amused to see that the local ladies had been busy wrapping the trees in Leighton Gardens in colourful hand crafted blankets.
And so after a journey of almost 10,000 kilometers, we are home. Although it was only 10 degrees Celsius inside the house, bright sunshine and beautiful Daphne and Camelias welcomed us home.
Coomalie is now getting to explore her new home. She is finding the other dog that is reflected in the shiny black cabinet and the mirrors in the ensuite is bewildering, and is very grateful for the cosy coat that Denise crotheted for her.
ON THE ROAD 