Leaving Bathurst

Wednesday August 30, 2017

First I have to rectify something.  I forgot the picture of the rhubarb crumble we had last night.  So, here goes:

This morning we had frost again, so in a way I am not very sorry to leave.  On the other hand, it’s hard to say goodbye to Viv, with whom I have spend a lovely two weeks.  We always get on like a house on fire, even when we worked together.  We have done a lot of reminiscing...

But, the time has come to say goodbye. I was awake early this morning so I had packed my things in no time.  After a shower, breakfast and last cuppa together we parted with a big hug and ensured each other that we will repeat this some time in the future.

As the local IGA had so much to offer (even celeriac for my pea-and-ham soup!) I dropped in to do my grocery shopping for the coming days and then I was really on my way.

It was 10 am by the time I left Bathurst and the first part of the trip was already a pleasure.  I stopped at Sofala and took the pictures that I didn’t have time for last time I was there on my way to Bathurst and on a later visit with Vivienne.

 

Fence made of bedheads

After I had enjoyed a quick cup of coffee I was on my way again, but stop soon again to take some pictures of the beautiful views in the hills. (S 33 1.293, E 149 42.481) Unfortunately the pictures don’t justice to the beautiful scenery, but at least I’ve enjoyed it and will have the memories.

It truly is a wonderful trip.  I so enjoy Mid Western New South Wales.  The endless hills under the cloudless sky and the sun bearing down on the golden wattles.  The creeks carving their way down the hill sides....  I could travel this road for ever!

All too soon it is lunch time (12pm) and this time I decide to travel a way off the main road to Windamere Dam.  (S32° 43.521', E149° 46.340') Viv and I stopped at the start of the road to have our afternoon tea last week, but I venture a kilometre and a half further.  The picnic area is deserted and I have my lunch at one of the picnic tables in company of a lone magpie, who scrounges around for some food (which I provide, and I know how bad that is!!! – I just couldn’t help myself!)

The road here is lined with wattles too and the view over the lake is pleasant on a sunny day like this. As you can see on Google Earth, the picnic area looks out onto the enormous dam wall, but on the way back I pass a lookout where I can take some pictures of the lake.

The various dam levels in the past

I mainly keep following the country roads where I can, because I love the changing scenery and vegetation, the cattle and sheep, and the view over the wide plains at this height.  There are supposed to be wombats here as well, but I didn’t get to see any, dead or alive.  Lots of dead kangaroos again and a small fox crossed the road in front of me.

At 2pm I cross from Mid Western into the Upper Hunter and half an hour later I reach the Hunter. The scenery changes gradually till I have left most of the wattles behind.  Now it’s mainly grassland, dotted with ironbark and the fields with yellow canola make up wonderfully for the loss of the golden wattle. They seem to stretch on forever.

I also pas a big, rocky hill dotted with caves.  I regret so much that I have forgotten to take my camera, because I can’t really take decent pictures with my mobile.  It doesn’t have an optical zoom, so distant pictures stay distant!

On my way today I have also passed the Ulan coal mines.  It’s noticeable that the trucks drive day and night, because there are a lot more dead kangaroos along the roadside.  The mines seem to stretch forever.  I am going to have a look at Google Earth when I have internet again.  Seems interesting to find out how far they go.

In the meantime I have done so and here is a picture:

Later in the afternoon I reach Scone, where I forget to get fuel, but luckily I have a few more kms worth in the tank.  From here on it’s the New England Highway for a while, but I can’t complain.  Today was a fantastic drive and what tomorrow brings is a bonus...

At 4pm I stop at Burning Mountain Reserve (170) (S31 51 21, E150 53 58) where I stay for the night.  As I have been able to buy endive in this colder climate, I will have a delicious meal of creamed endive (haven’t had that for a long time) and since I also have a nice piece of rib eye fillet in the freezer I will eat well tonight...