...........we were up and loaded by 8am, and started out with a tour of the town, and checking out the river. I was surprised to see how far the river level has dropped since the flooding earlier in the year.
Then we headed up the road to Hay, but then we decided to detour 5km of our track and drive into Balranald for a look see. Of course we had to find the conveniences too and outside of this we found this frog............
.......and hope you can read the info on this.
Balranald is on the edge of the Murrumbidgee river, so we found another spot to check out the river levels.
This spot had houses on the other side of the street, and we wondered if the floods had reached the houses....................so Yvonne saw someone working in the front yard of a house and went over to ask...............
...........and out came his wife to tell us about it, and show us photos of how high the river had risen. She was a wealth of information and we heard about her brother who had a property where the Murray and Murrumbidgee meet and how his sheep had to be winched out to safety by helicopter. Amazing the information that you discover when you stop to talk to the locals.
After we left Balranald it was a ?? trip through the Hay plains, which is very flat and not much to see. There was little to no stock in the paddocks, although we did see some cattle closer to Hay. It was good having Yvonne travelling with us, as she lives on a farm, and we were both interested in the countryside and the changes along the way. (The fairy was jammed in a small spot in the back seat and couldn't see out the left side window!!)
Next stop was at Hay................... and the painted towers were amazing. Not sure if you can click on the pic below and read the info. It was hard to get a photo but if you google Hay, A town that went to war, there are some fantastic stories about the people painted on the tower.
By then it was time for lunch and we visited the Information centre and found more brochures.
I was rather intrigued about the parking in this town, as it's the first time I've seen this. Perhaps they are parked for a quick getaway?? Don't see this in South Australia.
The main street had some interesting artwork........ a lovely water fountain......
..some fancy seating..............
...and these sculptures of Mrs McGrath and her sheep.
Anyone for a game in the main street??
Before we left town I needed to fuel up, and was very surprised when he came out to fill up the tank for us. Have not had this service for many years. So if you are in the Main street of Hay, stop at the Ampol petrol station (Les's Small Engine Repairs) and hopefully you will get the same service.
I was feeling a tad weary by now, so we changed drivers, and Yvonne took the seat. You might notice how confined the Fairy is in the back seat!?
Next point of interest was at Weethalle where we saw this silo art.
It was hard to zoom on this bit but I loved how the artist has done this.
While at Weethale I saw this sign!! Not too sure how many people rush in for a burger?
We made a detour off the highway after this and headed for Ungarie, where Yvonne's daughter and family live. Yvonne is spending the next few days with them until we collect her on our way home next week.
Ungarie is another small town where a lot of the population has departed, but there were quite a few points of interest to see.
This town is home to the Daniher family whose claim to fame is the sons who have all played football for the Essendon football club.
Some more wall art................
.........and even a book swap, which Raylene made use of.
This carving was amazing........
and more paintings...........
Next stop was the RSL park where we found a lot more paintings........
......and this amazing world globe, which actually rotates when you press the switch.
After Ungarie, it was time for me to get back to the driver's seat and Raylene was promoted to the navigating organiser!! We both failed miserably trying to find our way to the motel room at
West Wyalong, where we arrived at soon after 5pm.
While it was an ok room, perhaps not up to the standard of the one at Tooleybuc!!
Soon after 6pm we were joined by our other travelling companions, who had only left home this morning. More about that later.
There endeth Day 2 of our journey.
Be back sometime with the next update.
6 comments:
You’re all having an interesting trip by visiting all the small towns on the way.
Love all the art .
I am amazed and thoroughly impressed by the sights you're encountering along the way! I can't wait for more... thanks for the ride-along.
Another great post & I'd not realised the south of my home state had so many wonderful art trails too, even though we now live in Victoria. More travelling soon for us I can see happening. Look forward to seeing what the "elderly ladies" get up to next. Does that make me........ancient? Take care all, have a great break & hugs.
You are getting closer to our neck of the woods and have seen so many things that we haven’t. I feel another trip down that way is required. Bathurst has rear to kerb parking. So much easier for entering the flow of traffic. Funnily enough, there is an identical water boy belt no the park at home too.
so many interesting things you found along your way.........always find out interesting bits when you talk to the locals.........
Another interesting day - fun that we overlapped with one silo, but then went different ways! I thought the sheep on the balcony was very clever too. Oh that parking, yes, got me too - a NSW thing? - it got to me the odd time when I was not sure where I was going and just wanted to pull over - but had to 'park properly' first!!
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