The dog in the next van was not on a lead any time we saw her. This morning we complained at the office and were pleased to see an employee come to talk to the recalcitrant dog owners.
We live in such a large country but it sometimes seems small – other Roadies were staying in our caravan park! This is the second time this has happened in a couple of months.
A young girl was using a telephoto lens to take a photo of Tilly on her lead. I invited her to come closer and ended up chatting with her mum Mary Ann who operates a farm on the Eyre Penninsular based on regenerative principles – Korinya Farm Gate. She was travelling with three daughters to meet women who share her views on regenerative farming. She has not met any of these women before face to face, and hopes her daughters will mind toddlers belonging to other women. They are travelling in a farm ute with their swags, but had a treat last night staying in a discounted glamping tent.
Our drive through the town of Trangie created a different first impression than Coonamble had. These two pubs are well preserved and there are attractive roadside garden beds.
In the small village of Nevertire on the Barrier Hwy, this cafe caught my attention. We will remember it for next time.
We stopped for lunch at Nyngang. In total we drove an extra 300kms to reach Nyngan after not being able to get there from Walgett yesterday. I found a side street without deep gutters so the van was level for boiling the kettle for tea.
Leaving Nyngan we crossed the Bogan River and stopped to see the extent of river flooding. Park facilities and fences were underwater, and there was only about half a metre between the railway bridge and river. BOM recorded the height as 3.75m and it is expected to peak at 4m over the weekend.
We turned onto the Barrier Hwy and chuckled at this sign for the Riverside Tourist Park. Photos on FB show large areas of the park covered by water. We have stayed at that park a couple of times when in drought.
We had decided to stay in a free camp behind the RSL. Entry to that area was a bit muddy so we moved to the sealed carpark the other side of the fence. We took Bluey for a walk around town. My favourite building is this private house with its original roof.
Unfortunately most of the historic buildings have not been well preserved. The 1898 Great Western Hotel is spoiled by the midline yellow band advertising a certain beer, and the 1960s Great Western Motel sign. The cast iron veranda panels need attention.
The tower of the St Laurence O’Toole Catholic Church can be seen from many places around town. The 1910 building used as a butcher’s shop has many original features, but other shops along the main street in historic buildings could be improved with a coat of paint in heritage colours.
We are camped opposite an old copper mine. I took the second photo through the fence and it looks like an attractive lake. The RSL has placed acrylic red poppies on section of the fence.
On the outside wall of the RSL there are commemorative plaques and posters. This 1917 article from the SMH is salutory as we are sending iron ore and high grade coal to China which can be used to manufacture military weapons.
I walked to the nearby Great Cobar Heritage Centre located in the 1910 former administration building for the Great Cobar Copper Mine. The NSW Government has funded restorations to the building which also houses the Visitors Centre.
The Cobar Miners Memorial is across the road from the heritage centre. The copper colour is evident in the rock walls.
There is a lot to see in and around Cobar, but we are normally passing through without spending time here. It is also normally hot but today was a pleasant 24°.
We had dinner in the van and spent the rest of the evening listening to rain and distant thunder.
Committed Travellers 