Exploring

After we left Chooky’s on Sunday we headed towards some uncharted territory for us.  We like to find some new roads when we go travelling and we excelled ourselves this time.

Firstly, we followed some rather minor dirt roads, then going around the north of the Warrumbungles to the town of Baradine.

This is a place we’ve been “gunna” visit for ages, but it just hasn’t happened….till now. Chooky recommended we have lunch at “Freckles”.  Mick and I just hoped it would be open on a Sunday. We were pleasantly surprised by Baradine.  It has a nice little main street with as small supermarket, chemist, rural supply shop, post office, takeaway and “Freckles”, which wasn’t just open, but was full.

We had a lovely hamburger and then had a poke around the vintage wares they had for sale.

The town hall was rather imposing.

After lunch we visited the Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre, which was really interesting, but forgot to take a photo.

We’ve driven through the Pilliga Forest from Coonabarabran to Narrabri on many occasions, but have never visited Pilliga, so that was our next destination.  The road started out tar, then changed to good gravel and finally rather soft, sandy gravel.

There were small settlements along the way, which would have been for railway sidings in years past.

Pilliga is rather small, with a pub, cafe, Police Station, Rural Transaction Centre and not a lot more.

No, there is a newer cafe than this one.

We had been told there are bore baths there but we hadn’t expected such a huge number of campers at the site.  This is only about half of them.

We continued on our merry way through Wee Waa, seeing lots of cotton crops along the way and finally arriving in Narrabri for the night.  We hadn’t booked any accommodation, as our travel plans are usually rather fluid, to say the least.  We were lucky to get one of the last rooms in town, as there was a vintage car rally, a bowls tournament and a historic train visiting.

We were told the RSL Club did a good meal and the setting was a little different.  It sure was……the restaurant, “The Outback Shack”, was decked out with lots of old bits and bobs, had a rain storm each half hour and a mural of an old street.  All really well done.  And the food was good too.

We timed it well, as just as we were about to leave, 70 train buffs arrived to fill up this section.

A great way to finish off an enjoyable day.

Sneaking Away

Early last week Mick and I finally realised that there was going to be a long weekend.  We also realised that we had nothing planned, everything was up to date and there were no open houses for the sale of this place.  Therefore, it was the perfect opportunity to sneak away for a few days……..but where to?

After a quick phone call, we planned to head north west and have a belated visit to the Chookshed.

As well as spending some quality time with Chooky and her family and catching up with other friends up there, our visit coincided with a busy weekend at their local town.  Firstly, we visited the quilt show, and there are some rather talented ladies in the area.

The other event taking place was the largest Rodeo (remember to pronounce it “rode-ee-oh”, which is the Aussie way) and Camp Draft in the southern hemisphere.  I’ve never been to a rodeo before, even though there is a big one held just out of Bathurst each year, so this was quite a new experience.

Getting ready in the chute…

Hang on!

Many of the bulls had it worked out, buck them off quick smart and then trot out the exit chute.

However, there were a few that were just a cranky pants.  This black and white one was one with a very bad attitude.

There were also competitions to show your horsemanship with stock.

First, rope your calf…..

Then tie up his legs…….all in about 10 seconds.  Meanwhile the horse stopped dead, holding the rope taut and waiting for the rider to come back.  Amazing to watch.

And it wasn’t just for the boys.

“Big Al” the clown kept us amused and at times distracted.

Then there was the bucking bronco section.  These three were the pick up riders to collect the horses and at times the riders.  They did a fantastic job.

Some sections had a saddle.

There was also the bare back section.

 

The only thing the rider has to hold onto is the pummel.  Hard work.

It was all very new to us, but thoroughly entertaining.  There was a great crowd enjoying the event in perfect weather.  I’m glad we went along.

Then it was back to Chooky’s to play a rather long game of Monopoly, which was something I haven’t done in a very long time.

We really enjoyed our time, so thanks to Chooky for your wonderful hospitality.

Let’s Party for the Chook Shed

What is a party without cake?

Let’s face it, you can always find an excuse for cake.

Happy 2nd Birthday to the Chookshed.

Not the best photo, but with two fellows champing at the bit to start eating, there is no time for mucking around.

I’ve had a success with my knitting today.  No dropped stitches this time around. The chevron pattern was really effective, although it doesn’t show up all that clearly in the photo.  I found the pattern here.

Another finish for the gift box.

Now to start working on something else.  I think I’ll drag out my Lynette Anderson bag and sew some hexies together.

Winter

Today heralds the first day of winter.  After the unseasonably warm weather we have had for the last few weeks, today is cold and wet.  As it should be.

However, inside it is toasty and warm and we don’t have to go anywhere today. 

I have a cake in the oven.

The lounge room looks like a Chinese laundry.

Mick is happy over in the shed with his heater going.  He and a mate are playing with sidecars.

I’m quite snug on the lounge, starting again on my knitted wash cloth with Joey the cat for company.  He is quite settled under the coffee table.

This is about as good as it gets.

Chookshed Party

Chookyblue is celebrating the Chookshed’s second birthday with a big party.

Lots of us are helping her to celebrate, some in person and lots more of us in spirit.

The girls who are with Chooky are having a ball, by the sounds of it…… and have even achieved a bit of stitching.

I haven’t had much time to join in today, as we’ve had a couple of open houses, but I’ve done a tiny bit of stitching tonight.

Yep, when all else fails, make a bib for the gift box.

I did start to knit a wash cloth, but after dropping a stitch and not realising for a few rows, it now looks like this.

Ready to start again.

I also had plans for a crochet project, only to realise that I’ve packed away all my crochet hooks…….Mind you, I haven’t wanted to use one for ages.  I’ll have to go digging for them.

Not to worry.  I have one little project for OPAM, so not a fail for the month, and hopefully tomorrow will be a day at home, so I’ll be able to help Chooky celebrate more then……….and have another go at the wash cloth.

Gold Country Car Rally

Last weekend heralded our Historic Car Club’s annual rally.  Mick and I weren’t as involved this year, so I had a chance to wander around the lovely cars during the lunch break.  There was a huge variety of cars entered this year.

The rally had a record number of entries and the weather was good.  You have to be happy with that.

The orange Ford ute was Mick’s favourite. 

The three below are local cars.  We do have some lovely cars in our club.

The next two are locals as well.

The little Anglia was a very popular car, winning its class.

I’m guessing this is a 1947 Buick (looking at the number plate)?  Another popular class winner with its straight 8 engine.

This rather classy Austin won best car in the rally. Notice the screen in front of the rear seat.  Rather posh.

I do like looking at all the bonnet emblems.  They are a real work of art from a very different time.

I think everyone had a great time.  It is a lot of work to arrange, but very rewarding on the weekend.