SOMERTON - POPULATION: 279

TUESDAY 28 - WEDNESDAY 29.10.2014: T-h-e H-E-A-T! By our third day at Lightning Ridge the temperature had hit 40 degrees - Sybil wilted! As with any trip we had determined a route that we were following - threw it out the window and we are now headed for the coast! First stop was at Oxleys Crossing Rest Area 37km W of Mullaley and then Somerton Hotel - Cathys Tavern. Passed the Warrumbungle Ranges (part of the National Park).

LIGHTNING RIDGE

GALE COLLINS

FRI 24 - MON 27.10.2014: We have no doubt made mention of how much we love Lightning Ridge and again this visit was no different. The main aim was to attend the final performance of the Black Queen by Gale Collins. The show was just as enjoyable as the last time we attended and Gale and Roger kindly provided a supper following their finale. We went back the following day and of course bought merchandise, then again returned the day after for a barbecue - yes , started to feel as though we were stalking them!  

SYBIL, CAROLE, GALE & ROGER




Carole had a little play in the mullock heap beside the Lightning Ridge Information Centre - surprise, no significant finds!


We stayed at the Crocodile Caravan Park and yes, we spent most of our time trying to eradicate the white dust collected from the 'Opal Fields'. Has to be said that Shayden the white poodle fairs much better in that environment - who would have thought! 

LIGHTNING RIDGE - POPULATION: ?

THUR 23.10.2014: Before leaving the Opal Fields area we made our way to Cumborah. Whilst 'noodling' Carole had a gem cutter and four locals stop to advise her that there was yet another road out past Cumborah that would definitely "have some colour!" There were many 'road meetings' held during Carole's time working on the roads. People would stop to make sure she was alright, advise better places to search and to wish her well! The heat kicked in and the pack decided to travel to their next destination - Lightning Ridge! 

GRAWIN, NSW

WED 22.10.2014: The morning was again spent on the 'white highway' searching for that elusive opal - did find some colour BUT........! Most 'field cars' were very considerate, but then you had the odd one that would leave the novice noodler covered in dust. After lunch the decision was made to return to Troy's secret place and see what fortune could be found (no luck). Spent the evening at the Club in the Scrub.

SHEEPYARD INN

TUESDAY 21.10.2014: We continued on the 'Yellow Car Door' trail and surprisingly headed for 'the long white road' - did  not anticipate that one! For some four hours Carole 'noodled' her way down the 'highway' with cars showering her with white dust each time they went by - have to admire Nav's dedication. Troy stopped to see how his student was managing, which is no mean feat given the car has no brakes.

Many of the miners driving their "field cars" (as they are called), obviously buy the cars second hand, unregistered and just drive them till they literally fall apart due to the rough roads. The car is then discarded on your property and the next one is bought. Last port of call was the Sheepyard Inn - time for a refreshment!



DISABILITY PARKING!

ONE KNACKERED NOODLER!



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No matter where you travel to in Australia, you will always be able to find a Hills Hoist!



GLENGARRY, NSW

MONDAY 20.10.2014: Onward to Glengarry, but not before taking a photo of the golf course at Grawin. Next stop was the common fossicking pile where all the tourists are permitted to try their luck. Fossicker Peel went up a v-e-r-y large mound of quarried rock that is continually dumped by the local miners. Domestic Goddess Sybil stayed in the motorhome cooking a pasta salad for lunch.

After about an hour Carole appears at the door "a man said he will take me to a better site for a small fee of $20.00". Sybil's response "I need 5 more minutes for the pasta!" We hurriedly packed everything away and followed Troy to the Road Closed sign (which was removed and replaced), then up yet another hill to the secret location. Sybil managed to salvage the pasta and the salad was completed, whilst Carole was having a lovely time 'noodling' with Troy.

L-A-R-G-E MOUND!

It turned out that Troy had just won the coveted title of the area's No 1 Noodler - an ability to find opals from dumped mullock heaps. Sybil's idea of a good day of 'noodling' - lying on the bed, fan running completing the blog!

CAROLE & TROY

The 'noodle' student had a lovely time albeit somewhat fatigued after working at Troy's pace - a few bits of colour and what is even better, we can frequent the same venue again. We headed toward the Glengarry Hilton along the l-o-n-g white road. The mullock heaps on the side of the road can also be fossicked through so guess what tomorrow's schedule entails!

Drove into the Glengarry Hilton and organised our accommodation amongst the mullock heaps - only fitting. As one would expect, Glengarry Hilton also boasts a golf course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME!



GRAWIN, NSW

SUNDAY 19.10.2014: Bid 'Bushie' farewell and headed for Lightning Ridge to replenish supplies, then continued on our outback 'pub crawl'. The Club in the Scrub is the hub of social activity in Grawin. There is a unique, very brown nine-hole golf course right next to the club - alas, the Leylands did not bring their golf clubs with them! Saw many, many emus en route to the pub - certainly shortens the drive when wildlife can be spotted!

LOVE THE HAND RAIL ENSURING
YOU REMAIN ON YOUR FEET!

BUSH DOG!

 

 

 

  

 

 

'SPAG BOL' IN THE OUTBACK!

HEBEL, QLD - POPULATION: 149

NAV'S DRIVING DAY

FRID 17 - SAT 18.10 2014: Hebel is a hamlet in Balonne Shire and is close to the well known opal mines of Lightning Ridge. The original recorded town site name is 'Kelly's Point' due to the suggestion that Dan Kelly and Steve Hart (members of the infamous Kelly Gang), retreated here around that era and resided under assumed names whilst hiding from their pursuers. Hebel was reputedly named after a German immigrant Noble Van Hebel. Hebel helped stage the coaches for Cobb and Co. and Curriwillinghi Post Office opened on 1 January 1864. It was replaced in 1889 by Hebel Post Office which closed in 1989. We stayed at the Hebel Store Caravan Park, a venue we have previously frequented. Went across the road for our afternoon wine at the Hebel Pub and then had a beautiful dinner at the Hebel General Store (Woolpack Dining Room). 

HEBEL PUB

HEBEL GENERAL STORE



MARK "BUSHIE" THOMPSON

 

 

 

 

 

  

Sitting outside Poodle Palace  enjoying an afternoon refreshment when a chap came and joined us. Our visitor turned out to be Mark "Bushie" Thompson a bush poet that was performing over at the pub later in the evening. He kindly recited a poem relating of course to his dog - the Leylands wiped away the tears and thanked him for his visit. Bushie will be part of the Poet's Breakfast at the Tudor Hotel Tamworth in January so we will schedule a visit - if we can make the 8.00 am start!

NOT QUITE THE RIGHT CAMERA SETTING FOR THE TIME OF DAY!

C-U-T-E!



DIRRANBANDI - POPULATION: 711

THURSDAY 16.10.2014: Buoyed with childish enthusiasm the Leylands bid farewell to the O'Sheas (they were headed in the opposite direction), and set sail for St George. We followed the O'Sheas for most of the journey and then arrived at Thallon - Nav made comment that there should not be any towns before St George, best pull over. Ahhhhhh, the right turn out of the pub should have been to the left! Never at any stage did we acknowledge that the Leylands were headed in the wrong direction - just assumed the O'Sheas had changed their route. To think it only added 50 kms to the trip! Spent the evening at Balonne Minor Bridge Free Camp 3km W of Dirranbandi recovering from the L-O-N-G drive!

NINDIGULLY - POPULATION: 9

TUES 14 - WED 15.10.2014: Onward to Nindigully Pub, QLD's oldest hotel which is located in its original condition and position on the banks of the Moonie River. The license was issued in 1864 and from the late 1800's was a Cobb & Co coach change over station.

There are 140 Akubra hats donated by locals and one police hat labelled 'pinched'. 'Paddy's Room' is named in memory of a local who called in one night for a packet of cigarettes, but did not survive the drive home. This is the room where patrons who are 'under the weather' can sleep off their festivities and continue on safely the next day. Pub patronage is all that is required in return for free accommodation, showers, toilets, dump point and garbage bins.

KAYLENS RAIN

As luck would have it we managed to time our arrival with scheduled entertainment - so love it when that happens. Kaylens Rain (brother and sister Kaylee and Glen Harrison), and then Amber Lawrence - had an excellent night. Even met Luke O'Shea's parents - Luke O'Shea being the country singer we saw during the festival at Port Stephens.

AMBER LAWRENCE

Enjoyed a meal at the pub the night after Amber's performance - must say it was a little quieter!



TRAVEL IS S-O TIRING!