The weather on Thursday was beautiful, but the start was very chilly; when I set of at 7.45 it was still 0 °C. The max was 16 °C and sunny blue skies all day. The water in the hose from the tap to the caravan froze so I had to use the caravan tank water, the first time that has happened to me. I’m glad the van was coupled up as my hands were freezing just lowering the roof and packing up the power lead and water hose. I also had to de-ice thick ice from the windscreen.
The drive to Wagga Wagga was though farming country and everything was green and the crops looked good, which was the same on the next phase to Narrandera. The water tower at Wagga is on top of Willans Hill which overlooks the city. I’m glad I came in from the southern end of Captain Cook Drive as the descent I exited by would have been a very steep climb with the caravan, I had the car in first gear all the way down. The view over the city was extensive but it was a bit foggy so no photos.
The theme of the tower was water but there were no information boards to explain the thinking. This photo shows all the artwork.
I took a couple of other photos of the two boys.
The Narrandera tower was at the top of a hill with a view over the town. It was interesting to learn that Narrandera is an aboriginal word for “place of many lizards” hence one of the artworks was of a frilled neck lizard.
The Koala was chosen because Koalas were common in the area at settlement, but the Koala population had been wiped out by 1950 through hunting for the fur trade. Community action in 1972 saw four Koalas put into a reserve and a few more added in the next couple of years. They are now very well established and have spread up to 100 Km from Narrandera, a real success story.
The blue line weaving around the tower represents the Murrumbidgee river which flows through the town. The tiger moth is part of the towns history as they were used at the RAAF base in the town in WW2 for initial pilot training.
Next stop was a Weethalle, this time for silos rather than water towers. On the way I went through Barellan and dropped into the pub for lunch. The only sign that meals may be available was a chalk board with “Kitchen Open” printed in chalk at the top of the board. The barmaid didn’t know the cook’s name, she had to ask the owner, on her way to get him to explain what was available – pizza, spag bol, fish and chips and beef schnitzel with chips. When I asked for salad he explained he had only been there two days so no salad. Still the fish and chips were good.
The silos at Weethalle had a farming theme and were very well done:
I especially liked the shearer:
I’m off to Bathurst tomorrow where it is forecast to be -2 °C overnight both nights, I’m glad I have a heater and electric blanket, but I may throw another blanket over the doona (I turn the electric blanket off at night). Tonight in West Wyalong it will be -1 °C, so maybe it will be a late start! I will have to drain the water hose before I go to bed.
Hi Russ.
It’s good to read about your current tour. Has it been a normal winter rainfall-wise in Victoria and NSW?
Hope your night was not too chilly!
Hi David Good to hear from you. Victoria had a very dry start to the year but the rainfall for April May June and July have been near average in most parts of the state, east Gippsland is still well under average. NSW has been mixed, the area around Armidale and Tamworth to the Qld border is still in bad drought, it is quite a big area of NSW, other parts are doing OK after an extended drought. NSW south coast is also still in drought conditions. The rivers are still suffering badly and there is not much water for irrigation farmers, the rains have been OK but not enough to replenish river flows.
I remember driving your Dad passed the Lake Mokoan, now Winton Wetlands, and he was horrified at the devastation of the red gum forest. He would be very pleased to know that the man made dam has been drained and the wetlands are being rehabilitated.
Hi Russ
Have been enjoying your blog so much. The paintings are outstanding. We are leavi g for our trip on Sunday morning but staying out at a hotel near the airport tomorrow. Still havent started packing yet! Spent the morning shopping for Shauns requests for Aussie biscuits/lollies etc. will have a separate case just for all of this! My bag will be just 7kgs for 10 weeks! Will send you our blog details.
Happy travelling
Love Rhon and Barry xx
Hi Rhon
I am enjoying the trip and doing the blog. You must be excited about your trip, catching up with Shaun and Barry’s family and all the other things you have planned to do. I hope it all goes well.
Love Russ xx
I remember going to Lake Mokoan with Lyn I think, on our way to meet Aunt Elwie in Wangaratta(?). I found it weirdly beautiful, but I understand why it’s reversion is a good thing from a natural perspective.
I read about some of the drought-related problems for farmers in Oz on the Guardian website. It’s concerning. Dad had a friend Richard Meyer (sp?) who I think farmed some land somewhere in northern NSW or southern Queensland. I wonder how he is.
Your recollection of the trip is correct I think except Elwie was your great aunt. I visited Richard and his wife on their sheep grazing property near Walgett on the Barwon river about 5 or 6 years ago. A couple of year ago I visited them in Dubbo where they moved after their retirement. On both occasions they were welcoming and gracious hosts. They are doing well and don’t have to worry about droughts any more. It was good to talk to them about your dad, he boarded with them for 2 years. After a year, the Meyers had financial problems and told your dad they were going to have to move in with one of the grandpas. Your dad’s response was “well I’m coming too”, and he did. The relationship between Richard and Lynton was a close and enduring one.