Well we think we found him in the middle of Griffith – well at least his statue! Not sure where the remains are??? Talking about Donald MacKay of course!

We made our way down to Griffith with a stop at Forbes for morning tea and where we did some retail therapy and had some not so healthy food from the bakery.

A stop in West Wyalong for lunch and we made our way to Griffith.

One of the main reasons for coming to Griffith was to view the hermit caves where an Italian born man who had been jilted by his girlfriend lived for over 20 years.

We had a look this afternoon and climbed down the side of the cliffs and like mountain goats we made our way to the cave. Pity that many others had been there before us and decided to vandalize this very special place. But we can read all about this man and see pictures of what it used to look like via a book which we purchased today. Of note I was told that the gentleman who wrote the book only died yesterday – knowing that everyone reading this blog would want to know that vital piece of trivia!

Following the trip to the caves, on the way back to the cabin we decided to have a look and see what was on at the pictures. Deciding that we might like to see a film about Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution.

Thinking it was a movie but only to find out that it was a documentary and really didn’t tell us anything more that we already knew about him. Very disappointing – cant remember the name of the movie even – that’s how good it was. Score 1 out of 5 – don’t bother to go.

Heading for Koonoomoo – ( try googling this and see where it is!!) tomorrow after doing the markets here in Griffith tomorrow morning.

Well today we spent the day at the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. This is a fantastic zoo and is a credit to Oz.

We saw some wonderful animals in great habitats with over one and a half thousand animals on display in the zoo and you get to drive around in your car.

Arriving at 9am we left sometime after 2pm. Most of the habitats were open range and could be viewed without looking thru enclosures. Using moats or electric wire to keep them in, it was a real treat to see them roaming.

We had a chance to do some shopping this arvo with the shops just 100mts away and we managed to pick up some bargains!

Leaving tomorrow and heading to Griffith looking at Forbes, West Wyalong and any other town that we think is worth looking at.

Stopping at Cobram on Sunday night then heading for home on Monday.

We started the day with breakfast at the bistro at the hotel/motel we were staying in. A bit of a treat for us.

Following a hearty breakfast we did a tour of Lightning Ridge with our guide being considered a “local” having been at the Ridge since the 70’s.

Lots of stories about millions of dollars having been dug out of the opal fields, and also lots of those that didn’t or haven’t according to the “locals”.

We did the 3 hour tour which only cost around $25.00 and was most enjoyable.

Supposedly it is believed that most people who live in Lightning Ridge don’t “want to be known or found” with over 54 different nationalities living here according to the tour guide “they all live in basic harmony because they have to”.

It did seem fairly friendly and no real problems were seen on the streets by us.

Everything here is cash – no cards for the tour guide – and according to him, no one in Lightning Ridge gets the dole.

A quick bite to eat and then we did a tour of one the mines where a guy has done a heap of sandstone carvings on the walls. We had to walk down 80 steps into the mine to get to the first level where they were. To get back up, as we were the only two on the tour, we managed to talk the fella who opened up for us to take us back up to the surface via the lift ( one at a time) – saving us having to walk up 80 steps!

Having to get to Dubbo this evening we left Lightning Ridge with the view that we should have stayed another night so we could fossick for that illusive black opal of the Lightning Ridge opal fields. We will have to return to make our fortune another day!

Last night we stayed in Roma, and it was a fairly noisy night with our cabin being so close to the main highway. Boy those trucks are noisy beasts and they sure can rattle the windows and the cabins!

With a couple of touristy things to do before we left Roma – the visit to Roma’s largest bottle tree and the need to send a post card, we motored down the bitumen going thru St George – where a lovely river flows thru with plenty of water I might add! Known as the Bollone River I think – we visited the Big Egg – where a greek man has a collection of emu eggs which are illuminated that he has carved for many years. Well worth the visit.

Travelling on we stopped for lunch at Durrambandi where the pub put on a great meal for around the $6.50 mark.

Just before crossing the border the town of Hebel greeted us and no doubt they feel the same as Merino and Casterton feel, right on the edge of the Bollone Shire with headquarters in St George miles from them and of course St George is green, lovely and has plenty of money allocated to it – you can see this by the way Hebel has nothing and St George has everything!. Poor Hebel – they have a pub and a general store – lots of mud and dirt, not much to do or see, no lovely parks or somewhere to sit and have a cuppa like at St George. Not much in common with St George at all. Sounds familiar??

We crossed the boarder and made our way to Lightning Ridge this afternoon. A quick visit to the Visitor Information Centre revealed a couple who I know from Hamilton – cant go anywhere really! A quick look at some opal shops, a visit to the supermarket, a look at where the artesian bore swimming is so we know where to go tonight after tea. And we have booked into an opal tour tomorrow from 9 to 12 and then we will take off to Dubbo where we have booked a cabin for 2 nights.

The artesian spa was just amazing – very hot 40 degrees, and just the best for warming them bones before heading off to bed. Good Night!

Well, the observatory was a blast!

We had a great night, clear skies, lots of stars, it was just awesome.

The building ceilings and top half of their walls made you feel like being at the tennis centre – the ceiling parted to reveal the sky and the walls came tumbling down.

We looked thru 12 inch telescopes and saw Jupiter which was as big as the moon when you look thru a telescope.

We got some info on some stars, but have forgotten most of it. But it was a great night. Some key words were, light years, jewel box – referring to clusters of stars, stars which are really two together and look like one, colours of different stars – blues, reds, yellows etc, kaleidoscope.

A very worthwhile experience.

This morning the stars were gone and we left Charleville and headed to Roma.

Following a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to have a look at what they do, we travelled along the Mitchell Hwy ( only 27 road kills in 10kms here) we went thru Morven and stopped to look at the Kerosine tin hut and the miniature pioneer town display then on to Mitchell for a quick lunch at the park.

Drove thru Amby, Muckadilla and eventually to Roma.

Whilst in Roma we did like the Roma’s do – we visited the following

The BIG RIG – an overview of the oil and gas industry in the district

Fed the ducks and geese on the lake.

Visited the mini railway which is closed on Tuesdays as well as the Sound and Light Show at the BIG RIG which was closed for repairs.

Visited the 3 D mural at the Shire Office building, which the girl who works in the Shire didn’t even know where it was. Good to know that tourism is alive and kicking in Roma for the locals!!! Imagine walking past it every day and being only 20 feet from where you sit every day and you don’t even know what it is!

Perhaps it was her first day?

The mural is absolutely fantastic and something we should have in our region – especially around Casterton or Merino.

We drove past the railway yards where Sandra’s grandmother was born around 1890 and her Great Grandfather was a fettler on the railway line.

Couldn’t resist the Golden Arches and made our way there for tea – hadn’t seen A Big Mac for a while! Might even go for brekkie in the morning??

Back to the cabin and a bit of planning for the next leg of the journey Roma to either Hebel or Lightning Ridge,

Have booked a cabin in Dubbo for Thursday and Friday night – going to the zoo on Friday!

Just a quick catch up on things we forgot to tell you about:

Mike is aged 79 years and still mines with a pick and shovel!!

Petrol has been on average around $1.35 with ranges from $1.65 at Hungerford to $1.24 at Roma

We visited Stonehenge – planned to sign the visitors book in stone but couldn’t find it. The brochure is far more impressive than the town!

Bundy and Coke at the Toompine pub – measured out and poured into the Coke Can for drinking purposes – saves washing glasses!