Thursday 1 June 2023
Today we had a sleep in as breakfast was not until 8am. We woke to find our coach had a prime mover parked in front of it but were assured we did not have any issues.
Off at 9am with a toilet stop at Morven where we were entertained by the police checking the length and I guess other particulars of the road trains.
The Mulga is much taller, the grass thicker and the road smoother today.
The road runs next to the rail line for most of the trip.
We arrived at the Mitchell Visitor Centre where a change in plan happened. We were served morning tea then had a guide on the coach to take us on quite a long tour of town and surrounds and explain all about escaped murderers long ago and the fact that in the old days people seemed to be buried anywhere in town.
Eventually we returned to the Visitor Centre and Spa and I had a lovely hot dip in the artesian water.
We were then served lunch as well.
After lunch we left Mitchell and travelled along the Maranoa River. We saw emus again, some huge prickly pear plants - almost trees - red, red earth, some wedgies and lots of cotton fields.
Once we arrived at St George we drove straight to the meeting point for our cruise on the Balonne River. It was nearly sunset so we saw kangaroos and lots of different birds. It was such a lovely slow way to end our busy day.
Friday 2 June 2023
We left St George after breakfast and travelled through more cotton country.
Morning tea was at a lovely little Cafe Michael had found on Google Maps. It was at Mungindi right on the Barwon River, the border between NSW and Qld.
A few of us went for a little walk and were fascinated by some workmen applying new road markings. They are a stencil that is heated with a blow torch to stick it to the road then one of them sprinkles the sparkles on while it is still hot.
We walked across the river.
Later we drove through Garah, birthplace of Karen W.
Then on to the Amaroo Hotel at Moree for lunch.
Further on towards Warialda we saw feral pigs in a burnt paddock.
Our next stop was Trawalla Pecan Farm on the Gwydir River where we stopped for a tour and to sample some of the pecans. Unfortunately we were not able to buy any but were able to pick up some from the ground. The Pawnee variety was my favourite.
On the road again heading for Tamworth via Bingara, Baraba and Manila.
We struck a bit of roadworks which slowed us a little.
We were able to watch the moon rise and the sunset before hitting the bright city lights of Tamworth. It is scary to be in a city again.
After settling into our motel we enjoyed our last dinner together when we were all asked to describe our highlight in one sentence.
My highlight was "words":
- words of mirth (especially from Bob and Michael);
- words of description (of the wonders we have seen);
- words of inspiration (especially from Bob and Steve);
- words of friendship (by all our fellow travellers).
I think I made it in one sentence!
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