We had learnt so many things about this country we live in , first hand through our experiences. I could never appreciate before, that such a harsh environment as the outback could in fact be so beautiful, I never truly understood the vast distance between places either until we spent hour after hour after hour driving place to place. I saw canola growing, wheat farms, cattle and sheep and grapes grown for both table and wine. I saw dry red dusty soil whipped up into willy willies and then, previously arid creek beds filled to road level after heavy rain. Of course I saw Australian fauna , which never cease to amaze me when they are wandering wild. Kangaroos hopping , emus raising chicks taking them for a wander, large goannas crossing roads, snakes slithering , echidnas rolling up in balls to hide, cockatoos , crows, magpies and rosellas eating by the roadside ( taking risks flying across the roads) and even sea lions filled our travels.
We shared the roads with other cars, some pulling vans, motor bikes, pushbikes, trams, winnebagos and double train trucks. It. took us 14 days of crossing railway tracks to actually have a train cross our path. It took 1 minute to pass us !
We explored man made things like zoos, houses, museums and natural landscapes of flat, arid places, hilly terrains, volcanic craters , large rocks and sea eroded cliffs.
What a truly magnificent country we live in !!!
Today was a long driving day with a 632 kms ahead of us. We left Narrandera and had a short stop at the Junee chocolate and licorice factory. After that it was more of our tarred friend the road under our wheels as Brian drove us home. We saw a sign to the birthplace of Donald Bradman at Cootamundra. We were travelling on a tight agenda so I parted quickly with the $3 entry to the house ( it was a hospital in those days) took some fast photos then jumped back in the car and headed in the direction of Young. Isn't amazing we don't give towns the name 'OLD' lol. At Young Brian continued his Rivers tour and bought some *ahem* ugly sandals . I picked up some ok looking sandals myself :)). Then we hunted down a bakery that sold cherry pies. Wish we had a bakery on the Central Coast like these country ones. So if anyone is looking for a business venture thats what I think you should consider !!! We then headed for Cowra for a quick lunch stop.
Passing through Bathurst the roads were busy with cars headed to the big Bathurst race on Sunday. We saw campsites everywhere. Eventually , just as a thunderstorm was starting we arrived at Brian's sister's home. We ate pizza and Brian set up Sharon's tv...which took a little furniture moving , little fiddling and the changing of a cable position ( ha ha ha) then it was all up and working . As we left we drove into a heavy storm. Lightning flashes cracked and crackled across the sky. They lit up the freeway with an eerie, angry glow. Luckily the rain was only heavy in spots.
It was a really great feeling to drive into our street. Not only was it good to see our house , it was good to see lights on as we had driven through a darkened Erina. Really didn't want to have to unpack into darkness. Tim , Ally and Mitch listened to our shortened stories ( they looked a little tired so we let them off with just a few tales lol) and then we settled in as if we'd never been away, with Dibbles our cat sitting with us on the lounge as Brian watched some tv and I wrote this.
I have enjoyed writing about our trip and sharing it with anyone who wanted to read it. To the readers thank you for reading my work . I hope you have enjoyed it and who knows it might make you too want to explore more of the country or just let you see it through my eyes.
Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. I love staying in hotels but there's something special about the comforts of home :))
Love Kerry-Anne and BRIAN. xxx
PS We have about 15 CDs we NEVER want to hear again haha....next time we will take lots more music :)
PPS. We clocked up just over 5000 kms!!!!!! Don't even want to think of the petrol cost hahaha
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