Pilliga to Lake Cargelligo
Out at a reasonable time, we chose to pick our way around the tourist spots of this great town. An old phone box and a tumbling café later, we were off.
Within moments ‘that F$%*&#@g Hema the third’ was on the field and making an impact. At one stage we had that beast, the car mapping system and Miss Google all arguing which way to go, spitting out directions like a drunken auctioneer.
We decided to follow the big green road sign that said Coonamble 83.
Arriving by some grace of god at Coonamble, we reckoned it was a really nice place with stunning old buildings, a convenient wee spot and a good feel. It rated just over halfway up the ‘would we come and visit again’ ladder.
Ploughing on to Warren (the town, not a bloke we know) we fuelled up at Uncle Somefellas servo before skipping over the river into town for a coffee.
The poor soul. She was still wearing the graduation robes from the South-Western NSW University of Useless Contributions to Society. She had flown through her classes leaving all others in her wake. Cup, tea bag, water; it’s not that hard. Oh yes it is!! We endured the worst tea and coffee of the new millennium.
Not to be outdone by her refreshment making skills, her advice that the amazing town gallery three doors up was a must visit, would have been brilliant…….had it been open. Her potential is unlimited.
We skulked out of Warren vowing only to return for funerals of close friends and weddings with a guaranteed good feed.
Rounding the right hand corner as we slowed into town it smacked us squarely in the face. Holy stunning silos Batman. This was the most outstanding piece of silo art we had ever seen. Positioned perfectly so it is the first thing you see entering Tottenham, there were not words. Depicting primarily a massive Goanna, the detail was so lifelike, we swore it had a heartbeat .
Having been traveling the Bogan highway to this point we wondered where they all were. Funny how a small town can serve up in bucket loads. Whilst eyeing the silo, I also spotted the allusive creature in all her worldly class posing in the main street. She looked so lonely I decided to give her a ride.
Scooting through Tullamore, sighing at yet more beautiful old buildings, we made haste to Condoblin as the day was drawing short. Condoblin is a smashing town. Kept to perfection by the local council and home to one of Australia’s biggest Ute Musters, it boasts a new multi-million dollar information centre soon to be opened, and a lovely tasteful memorial to fallen jockeys.
The real attraction however is the long line of holden utes decorated in a myriads of ways reflecting icons of the country. Condoblin is way up the ladder of re-visits.
With our friendly mapping device giving us one last bad piece of advice, we u-turned just out of Condoblin headed for Lake Cargelligo. This destination was a chance find. Planned originally just because the name sounded cool, it is a jewel in the west for NSW.
The natural lake is massive. As in really big massive. The town sits perched on its banks providing a truly idyllic setting rivalling anything in Warren for sure. We found the van park, walked the lake, relaxed and did not much.
I think tomorrow we may leave late and not go too hard. This holiday thing is starting to seem quite ok.
Very Interesting good read waiting for next chapter