This morning it was sunny when we hooked up and left Stockton. We farewelled our friends who are “grounded” pending medical treatment. This is a photo of the Stockton Bridge taken by my navigator extroadinaire on Saturday evening.
Our drive through Newcastle to the Pacific Motorway was uneventful. We refuelled before crossing the Hawksbury River Bridge because there would be no rest stops for a while. We chose the North Connex tunnel for the first time and were impressed, particularly as there are emergency stopping lanes. The fancy lighting and 4G mobile phone connection were an added bonus.
We continued following tollways clocking up $65 worth of tolls. It was a straightforward drive around Sydney, much better than dealing with dozens of traffic lights and narrow lanes along Pennant Hills Rd. Unfortunately only NSW residents are eligible for rebates on tolls charged for towed caravans.
We drove for well over an hour before reaching Partridge VC Rest Area at Menangle, the first rest stop without leaving the motorway. Sensibly caravans are permitted to park with trucks. We had lunch in the van overlooking a dairy farm.
We continued on to Yass, stopping in the Soldiers Club carpark which has three free RV parks. Our meals at at the Club were good and Bluey ate leftovers. A second caravan with children arrived after 7.30pm in the dark.
I took Tilly for a walk on her lead but she kept wanting to explore under bushes by the gully behind us. One of the bushes has large bunches of small grape-like berries, the size of peppercorns.
Bluey walked around town with me while I took photos of some of the historic buildings. I liked the detail in the doors and windows of the former 1865 City Store, now the studio of Sadie Grace photographer.
The Westpac bank building is impressive, both for its size and architectural design, but my favourite is the Soldiers Memorial Hall.
Committed Travellers 