Boree Creek and Narrandera

A roadside rest area at Sandigo, west of Wagga and just short of Narrandera, was a quiet place to see in the new year.

A random set of events led to Megan, a cyclist I had previously met near Charters Towers in Qld six or so months ago, being nearby. It was a short drive to Boree Creek first thing the next morning to meet with her then on to Lake Talbot Tourist Park at Narrandera for a few days. An altercation with a kangaroo along the way means another visit to a repair shop. Not all that much damage to Dora but the kangaroo did not hop away from this one.

Boy haven't they let the Tourist Park go! No sign of the TLC that was apparent back in 2003~2010. But it was good to see the Narrandera Shire Council has spent time and money on the facilities around the Lake and it's never looked better. Narrandera is known as the town of trees and has two supermarkets and three pubs servicing about 5000 people. Mostly quiet, a friendly place, but it can get hot!

Water-skiing, swimming, going out at night and staying cool was the order of the day as the temps were in the high 30s. For me, returning home to Narrandera where I lived for seven years is nice. Catching up with the locals from the past is nice. But knowing that in just for a few days you'll be off again, makes it a touch sweeter.

Good food, entertaining company and in a few days its time to go. Megan cycles to the north and I drive to the east.

Ouch!!!

Wagga Wagga

Four days to Wagga Wagga.

Wagga Wagga, such a nice place they named it twice, or so the locals will tell you.

First stop Yelgun rest stop. Heading south via the Princes Hwy this is a good one, just 250km, far enough for me after a late start. Yelgun is off the Hwy and quiet. Noted no trucks tonight and not many on the road either. The ones that are appear to be carrying supermarket stock.

Night two Kendall SG just a few kms from the highway but not many, if any, know about it. A very cheerful lady takes just $8.50 for a powered site, nice.

Night three after various breaks along the way, Pheasant Nest, south side of Sydney in the back of the servo. Surprisingly acceptable with ear plugs. Stopped in Goulburn next morning for some shopping and provisioning. You may have guessed by now I travel first class. Always fresh fruit and veg on board. No tinned crap here, well not often.

Night four somewhere near Wagga. Wanted to visit a caravan parts supplier but he had closed, big time, its now a vacant lot. The highway will be my home tonight.

Observations: The M1 Hwy into Sydney is spectacular via Ku-ring-gai NP if you take the opportunity to look or is it just sitting up high in the MH affords a better view? And then driving the Hume Hwy over the rolling hills of southern NSW, absolutely beautiful. Australia we've got it all.

Again no photos. It turns out I did pack a camera or two but highways shots... boring.

Departure -.Cotton Tree

The best laid plans of mice and men...

Organized, No Way! Last minute change in the schedule has me in total disarray.  But by 3pm and focused attention to detail, blah blah blah. It was a chaotic departure. I'm driving down the road thinking if I thought to load this and that. I really need two sets of my life! Packing and unpacking is BS!

Thought for today: Being on the road is the life but a full fridge and pantry and tanks that should be full, and are, and tanks that should be empty, and are, is true happiness. That's freedom to travel and stop wherever.

Ballina and Woolies will resolve most of these problems. Sorry no photo. Hmm, did I pack a camera?

Cotton Tree - getting ready

The MH is now at the Maroochy Primary School where there are about 20 other MHs atm and at its peak will be ~60 next week. Its a good location to load my stuff and provision up from the shopping centre next door.

As I've said before, time has been slowly passing and taking pelican photos is starting to loose its appeal. An unavoidable delay of one day will see my departure on the 28th now. Estimating a 5 day trip down the Pacific, the Hume then the Sturt Hwys. Anticipation is running high.

Cotton Tree - waiting.

Thought for today: Time slows whilst waiting.

So more than a week has ticked by. Got some stuff done, some must do stuff. Now working on the not so important list and playing with the gunna list as well. Wow! Impressive, for me anyway.

Making plans, departure date, destination, stopovers, generates pleasurable anticipation that should not be underestimated or discounted. And making new lists, I'm in heaven!  Being on the road would be better but this will have do for now.

Pelican Sunrise - Cotton Tree Qld.