Let's Go Exploring

Saturday was Australia Day and for the first time in I don't know how long we didn't go out and about to celebrate.  Mick had to work and it was just too hot for anything to be enjoyable.  We recorded 42 degrees on our back verandah!!!

However, yesterday we decided we needed to do something, even thought it continued to be hot, but what?  Eventually, we decided to go and visit the small town of Portland, about forty minutes from home, towards Lithgow, as we had heard that the silos had been painted.

Portland is an historic industrial town built around the local cement works, which opened in 1902.  Cement from here was used in a lot of Sydney buildings. "The Works" closed down in 1991, which heralded the decline of the town.  It is off the main road to Lithgow and therefore not somewhere you would normally visit.

We were pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable our visit was.  The first thing you notice is lots of old houses.  Some are run down, but some have been beautifully maintained.  

Once you reach the main street you are greeted by lots of painted signs on buildings.

They are all over the place.

It turns out that a retired signwriter, Ron Bidwell, (yes, they have even painted his portrait on a building) came to Portland back in 2001 with a group of mates and they started painting.  They have been coming back each year and call themselves the "Wallnuts".

There are some empty shops, but there are quite a few that are still going strong.  

The streetscape is rather nice and the gardens well tended.

And, yes, they still do use the cinema on limited occasions.

We noticed a little museum.  We don't go to every museum we see, but as we were there, and had plenty of time, we went to visit.  It turns out it was only opened about six months ago and  houses the Charlie Pinch collection.  Charlie was a local bloke that collected a bit of everything.  After his death his wish was that his collection, which was very pertinent to the local area, be kept together and displayed for the community.  Some buildings have been provided in the old cement works complex and this is just the first section that has been opened. Our volunteer guide was very friendly and informative.  Further sections should be opened in the next twelve months.

I didn't take many photos, but of course had to take a picture of the sewing machines.

We had a gramaphone identical to this one when we were kids.  Yes, it was rather odd having a gramaphone in the 70s!

This was a rather unusual exhibit.  It is a "Hygeia Disolvinator", a very early chemical toilet.  I think our loo canisters in modern caravans are much easier to deal with.

After our visit to the museum it was time for lunch at the little cafe.  Milk shakes were the order of the day, as the weather was still in the high 30s.

We then strolled the streets some more and found an interesting shop with antiques, gifts and art painted by the owner.  

There is evidently even a patchwork group.  Most important.

Eventually, we decided we had better go and have a look at the silos, the reason we had come to visit.  These are not grain silos, but part of the cement works. While we were going, I thought I would have a little nosy around the old buildings on the old industrial site.

Now for the silos.

The artist is the same man that painted the silos in Brum in western Victoria, one of the main silo trail features.  

All the people featured are apparently locals, still living, who were involved with the cement works.

What we didn't realise until I was Googling once we returned home, is that there are paintings on all sides of the silos.  We had missed seeing some of them.  

I also discovered that the Cement Works are now known as "Foundations" as Portland cement was used in the foundations of so many Sydney buildings.  Their website is rather interesting, outlining the owners' plans to rejuvinate and reinvent the old industrial site.  I do hope they achieve their goals.

Apparently there are markets on the site on the second Sunday of each month, so we may just have to pop down again on one of those days and have a better look at the silos.

Every time we visit a small town like this we find there is so much more to see than we expect and, as usual, we want to return to see more.

Now, it wouldn't be us if we were to just drive straight home.  No, we had to find the scenic route.

This involved heading towards Mudgee and then turning onto a minor dirt road, the "Upper Turon Road", which eventually heads back to Bathurst or Sofala. 

 

It started off in lush pasture country.  The road was in rather poor condition and was nearly 4WD only.

It wasn't long until the landscape changed to rather wild, remote country.  It wasn't a deserted road by any means, though.

The road passes through "Turon Gates", which is an eco tourism property, with several cottages, cabins, glamping and camping sites.  Being the long weekend, there was a constant stream of 4WD vehicles going each way.

Eventually the road descends to the Turon River, which you cross by a very ricketty, but strong, bridge.

We couldn't resist hopping out and having a paddle in the beautiful clear water.  It was quite warm.  Yes, my feet are in the water, it is just crystal clear.

OK, one last look before getting back on the road. Rather beautiful.

We pass through the locality of Palmers Oakey and then onto the aptly named "Mount Horrible".  My brother worked on a property out here for several years and had to drive this road every day, often in the dark or at "roo o'clock".  I didn't envy him one bit.

Eventually, we popped out at the other end of the dirt road at "Limekilns" and headed back home.

We had a lovely explore.  Travelling back the route we did was totally unplanned, but then, they are often some of the best days out.

We haven't had one of these exploring days for a while, so we must do it more often.