WEST WYALONG (29 APRIL 2013)

Before we leave Balranald I must add a pre-departure tale which I should have included earlier.  One of the features of our previous six months on the road was the number of times we ran into people we knew.  Well it happened again, even before we left Adelaide.

As we were leaving West Beach one morning prior to our departure, Liz spotted a couple near the office.  To cut a long story sort it was Ian (Beanie) Thompson and his lovely wife Rose.  Beanie and I played hockey together for years and years as part of the famously invincible (notorious?) Brighton B2's.  They were in residence at West Beach whilst building their new home.  We shared a lovely meal with them and unsurprisingly did reminisce over a drink or two.  No more Scotch thanks Beanie!

But back to our travels.  Our road from Balranald travelled through the open expanses of the Hay plains to Hay itself where we turned off the Sturt Highway and made our way northwards on the Mid-Western in a less than entirely happy frame of mind. In fact I would suggest that this stretch of Australia's blacktop is very much like the Curate's egg.....good in parts.  But what's a bit of bouncing around amongst friends?  It all ends eventually.  The most irritating part of this all is that Max was still settling back into the 'cage in the car' routine when smooth roads and constant engine rev count of 2000 is very much an advantage.  He did not have a good day and was at pains to let us know!

 

We did have some interesting travelling companions to liven things up at several stages.  We had remarked that the countryside was looking particularly dry, an opinion which was supported by the fact that several graziers were taking advantage of the 'green pick' to be found on the 'long paddock'.  

 

 

Needless to say, our average speed was not enhanced by these encounters, of which there were several.

 

Now I think I mentioned in my last that our planned overnight for this stage of our trip to Mudgee was Rankin Springs.  I had retained (quite incorrectly as it transpired) some vision of a charming local pub in an equally charming little town.  In my own defence it had been quite some time since I was last through this way, but as you have no doubt already guessed, I was completely wrong.

 

Actually the little caravan park in the main street was quite pretty and we did pull in to better survey the area.  This revealed an 'office' which could have been directly removed from the set of the Beverly Hillbillies from which emerged a shuffling old crone with a mass of unkempt grey hair still clad in a bright pink dressing gown, thick socks and daggy slippers.....at mid-day mind you!  As if this were not enough to discourage the prospective over night resident, the tirade she then launched when I was silly enough to turn around on the grass (there were some prohibitive signs I have to concede....but they were a little ambiguous) did the trick!  Liz's reaction was as quick as it was predictable.  Indeed she was as unequivocal as the cat and 'Plan B' was activated yet again (not bad...twice in three days).

 

Another phone call on the run and we were booked into the mid-town park in West Wyalong, another town through which we had often travelled previously but never taken the time to explore.  And another real surprise was in store.

 

 

 

Our home for the night was somewhat bare compared to Balranald,

 

 

although it did have some green spots

and one very different 'cabin'.








The couple managing the park could not have been more welcoming and we were satisfied that our decision to overnight in West Wyalong was more than justified, particularly when we discovered what an interesting town it is.

Our jaunt along the dog-legged main street (it follows the old bullock teams track which apparently meandered around stands of gums in the days of yore) left us in no doubt that WW was founded on the discovery of gold. 

In our travels we have noticed that there are three types of buildings which typify these towns (and WW is no exception).........

grand banks (this is but one of three on the same corner)

large churches (one of several..the Catholics always seem to win the contest)

and numerous pubs













of which these are but two.







The intersection on the main street also boasts 'Thom, Dick and Harrys', once an old style department store which carried almost everything a shopper could possibly want. It is now home to a gourmet coffee and home-wares shop and is a real feature on WW's main street.

And amongst all this grandeur was one oddity.

We have no idea why this quaint narrow little building should be found amid its imposing neighbours, but there it is!






We really did enjoy our brief sojourn in West Wyalong.  It was yet another reminder of the interesting things on offer in so many of our country towns and villages.  But before we leave, one more local discovery.....this one especially for my old Canadian friend, the dentist with the Canadian UN contingent on Cyprus during my tour, with whom I have spent many convivial hours both there and in our respective home countries.

Would it surprise you to learn his name is Mike Pilon?  Just for you old mate.  Onwards to Cowra where more delights were in store.