One of the best camp kitchens we have ever come across was just one of the delights of the Junee Caravan park. Here we found a park where the hype and photos align with reality. Let me demonstrate.
At check in I noticed something we rarely see in a caravan park.....tiny little dongas like these, but they were well occupied throughout our stay.
The many park cabins are far more conventional, and these too were well patronised, particularly over the weekend when a wedding party came to town.
All of this infrastructure, including the camp kitchen and so on which I'll get to shortly, is located near the front roadway which leads to the park.
On all other sides the outlook is over broad, open, grassed areas of sporting fields,
park lands,
and a large lake, with some park sites right on the water's edge.
Needless to say these waterside sites are at a premium. As luck (or not) would have it, on the day of our arrival they were fully occupied, and it was not long before we noted that everyone seemed to know each other.
And then the penny dropped.....they should.....they we all members of a caravan club.
We were assigned a site at the rear of the park (that's us right down at the end of the bitumen park roadway)
where we could not have been happier. We had oodles of elbow room, lush grass underfoot, no trees directly overhead (from which roosting birds can deposit their calling cards on the awning)
and, when we set up our chairs at the rear of the van, we too could enjoy happy hour views over the water.
Not only this, the area directly behind us, which comprised the un-powered section of the park, was wide and open. What a marvellous setting all round.
Many came and went after only an overnight stay, and for them the park drive-thu sites were ideal.
As I have already mentioned in passing, all the park roads are sealed. This is a real blessing, particularly when they carry those few irresponsible idiots for whom speed limits mean nothing. On these surfaces they can't create dust.
But that was not the end of it.....here at the Junee park a pile of clean cloth bathmats is provided for use by everyone using the scrubs. A bit of daily laundry, sure, but what a lovely touch.
And immediately next to the main ablution block is another innovative facility.....a stand alone shower and toilet room for use not only by the disabled, but also by families. Here kiddies can be scrubbed in domestic privacy. This is a really good idea for all sorts of reasons.
Next we come to the camp kitchen. This is an absolute cracker. Fully enclosed, as you can see,
and here, to our astonishment, we found not one, but three hooded BBQ's, all spotlessly clean.
An adjoining room contains all that could be required to create a culinary treat, or merely make some toast for breakfast,
and for those wishing to sit and relax with company, this corner by the window provides the answer.
Opposite this first class facility, the park pool is equally well maintained, although the day time maxima did not entice us to go any further than to look,
and nearby, the kiddies can be kept entertained in the park playground.
And where else had we come across the unavoidable needs of (responsible) dog owners so well anticipated? You guessed it....nowhere to date.
All the open spaces in the park are well grassed and maintained, and the cabins, of which there are quite a few, are similarly well found.
We were totally unconcerned that we had not been able to score one of the prime lakeside sites. Notwithstanding the offer made to us to move to one when the caravan club pulled out, we were more than content to stay put where we were. When we could lounge back with an evening libation and watch the sun set over the lake from our site, why not?
As I said at the outset, this is a marvellous park, well appointed, well maintained and well managed. It was one of the highlights of our stay in Junee.
Here, apart from our limited sightseeing, and more frantic blogging by yours truly, we did manage to deal with one rather chilly and damp afternoon by finally breaking out the Scrabble box. We had not played for ages, and chivalry demands that I declare Liz the winner....for the first time in ages (despite the fact I plied her with bubbles). She loves Junee!!
We later discovered that the group of Sydney friends with whom we later shared a wonderful week in Mudgee, come to Junee annually to celebrate New Year.....we had no difficulty understanding why, and, oddly enough, more plans are now afoot!
Fifty five kilometres north of Junee is the town of Temora. For any of you with the slightest interest in old military aircraft, that name will ring loud bells, but I suspect, dear readers, that the majority of you will fall in with Liz.....no idea and even less interest!
And here, to my great distress, I found that the developing problems with our camera came to the fore. Notwithstanding my pre-planned editorial ferocity (out of respect for those of you who feel obliged to wade through this bit out of some misplaced loyalty!!), I found that the camera did most of it for me....so I must apologise yet again for the quality of some of the shots I felt I had to include.
Temora
has a rich and noteworthy aviation history having been home to the No.
10 Elementary Flying Training School (10 EFTS) set up by the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF) in May 1941. No 10 EFTS was the largest and
longest lived of the flying schools established under the Empire Air
Training Scheme during World War Two (WWII).
Throughout WWII more than 10,000 personnel were involved at the school with upwards of 2,400 pilots being trained. At its peak the unit contained a total of 97 de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft. Four satellite airfields were set up around the Temora district to cope with the demand to train RAAF pilots.
No 10 EFTS ceased operation on 12 March 1946 making it the last WWII flying school to close. Since then, Temora has continued its aviation heritage becoming the preferred airfield for a growing number of sport aviation activities including gliding, parachuting, aerobatics, ultra-light aircraft operations and model aircraft.
When Sydney businessman David Lowy AM expressed interest in establishing an aviation museum dedicated to aircraft and pilots who had defended Australia, Temora Aerodrome had all the attributes - rich in aviation history, hospitable people, an encouraging and co-operative local council, good weather, flat terrain and uncontrolled air space below 20,000 feet.
The Museum was incorporated in late 1999, construction of the facilities then commenced and a Governing Committee made up of a group of experienced and diverse people was formed.
The first hangar was completed in February 2000 and David Lowy AM donated the initial aircraft for the collection. The Museum was opened for public viewing in June 2000 and construction commenced on the exhibition buildings which contain display space, theatrette, admission entrance, gift shop, a children's playground and picnic area. These were completed and opened to the public in August 2001.
Stage Three of the Museum Complex was completed in November 2002 with the opening of a 1980 sq m. display hangar. All aircraft are housed in this new hangar with the original hangar becoming a customised restoration and maintenance facility.
Throughout WWII more than 10,000 personnel were involved at the school with upwards of 2,400 pilots being trained. At its peak the unit contained a total of 97 de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft. Four satellite airfields were set up around the Temora district to cope with the demand to train RAAF pilots.
No 10 EFTS ceased operation on 12 March 1946 making it the last WWII flying school to close. Since then, Temora has continued its aviation heritage becoming the preferred airfield for a growing number of sport aviation activities including gliding, parachuting, aerobatics, ultra-light aircraft operations and model aircraft.
When Sydney businessman David Lowy AM expressed interest in establishing an aviation museum dedicated to aircraft and pilots who had defended Australia, Temora Aerodrome had all the attributes - rich in aviation history, hospitable people, an encouraging and co-operative local council, good weather, flat terrain and uncontrolled air space below 20,000 feet.
The Museum was incorporated in late 1999, construction of the facilities then commenced and a Governing Committee made up of a group of experienced and diverse people was formed.
The first hangar was completed in February 2000 and David Lowy AM donated the initial aircraft for the collection. The Museum was opened for public viewing in June 2000 and construction commenced on the exhibition buildings which contain display space, theatrette, admission entrance, gift shop, a children's playground and picnic area. These were completed and opened to the public in August 2001.
Stage Three of the Museum Complex was completed in November 2002 with the opening of a 1980 sq m. display hangar. All aircraft are housed in this new hangar with the original hangar becoming a customised restoration and maintenance facility.
Before sharing my very second rate photos, let me provide Temora's history with thanks to Wikipedia (and the official Temora Aviation Museum website)
"Temora is home to a rich and noteworthy aviation history. The Royal Australian Air Force set up the No 10 Elementary Flying Training School in May 1941. This School was the largest and longest-lived of the schools established under the Empire Air Training Scheme during World War II.
More than 10,000 personnel were involved in operation of No 10 Elementary Flying Training School. More than 2,400 pilots were trained at the School. The School at its peak had 97 de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft used for training purposes. The school was closed on 12 March 1946.
After World War II, Temora continued its aviation heritage, becoming the preferred aerodrome for a number of activities including: parachuting, gliding, ultra-light aircraft operations, aerobatics, and model aircraft.
Sydney businessman David Lowy [of the Westfield Lowys] established the museum in Temora due to its rich aviation history, good weather, flat terrain, a co-operative local council and uncontrolled air space below 20,000 feet.
Temora Aviation Museum was incorporated in late 1999, at which point construction of the facilities commenced, and a governing committee was formed. The first hangar was completed in February 2000, and the first aircraft for the collection were donated by David Lowy. The museum was officially opened to the public in June 2000 at which point construction commenced on the exhibition buildings, including: display space, theatrette, admission entrance, gift shop, a children's playground and picnic area.
In November 2002, the third stage of the museum complex, a 1980 square metre hangar was completed at which point it became the main display hangar for all the aircraft, and the original hangar became a customised restoration and maintenance facility."
"Temora is home to a rich and noteworthy aviation history. The Royal Australian Air Force set up the No 10 Elementary Flying Training School in May 1941. This School was the largest and longest-lived of the schools established under the Empire Air Training Scheme during World War II.
More than 10,000 personnel were involved in operation of No 10 Elementary Flying Training School. More than 2,400 pilots were trained at the School. The School at its peak had 97 de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft used for training purposes. The school was closed on 12 March 1946.
After World War II, Temora continued its aviation heritage, becoming the preferred aerodrome for a number of activities including: parachuting, gliding, ultra-light aircraft operations, aerobatics, and model aircraft.
Sydney businessman David Lowy [of the Westfield Lowys] established the museum in Temora due to its rich aviation history, good weather, flat terrain, a co-operative local council and uncontrolled air space below 20,000 feet.
Temora Aviation Museum was incorporated in late 1999, at which point construction of the facilities commenced, and a governing committee was formed. The first hangar was completed in February 2000, and the first aircraft for the collection were donated by David Lowy. The museum was officially opened to the public in June 2000 at which point construction commenced on the exhibition buildings, including: display space, theatrette, admission entrance, gift shop, a children's playground and picnic area.
In November 2002, the third stage of the museum complex, a 1980 square metre hangar was completed at which point it became the main display hangar for all the aircraft, and the original hangar became a customised restoration and maintenance facility."
Temora
has a rich and noteworthy aviation history having been home to the No.
10 Elementary Flying Training School (10 EFTS) set up by the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF) in May 1941. No 10 EFTS was the largest and
longest lived of the flying schools established under the Empire Air
Training Scheme during World War Two (WWII).
Throughout WWII more than 10,000 personnel were involved at the school with upwards of 2,400 pilots being trained. At its peak the unit contained a total of 97 de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft. Four satellite airfields were set up around the Temora district to cope with the demand to train RAAF pilots.
No 10 EFTS ceased operation on 12 March 1946 making it the last WWII flying school to close. Since then, Temora has continued its aviation heritage becoming the preferred airfield for a growing number of sport aviation activities including gliding, parachuting, aerobatics, ultra-light aircraft operations and model aircraft.
When Sydney businessman David Lowy AM expressed interest in establishing an aviation museum dedicated to aircraft and pilots who had defended Australia, Temora Aerodrome had all the attributes - rich in aviation history, hospitable people, an encouraging and co-operative local council, good weather, flat terrain and uncontrolled air space below 20,000 feet.
The Museum was incorporated in late 1999, construction of the facilities then commenced and a Governing Committee made up of a group of experienced and diverse people was formed.
The first hangar was completed in February 2000 and David Lowy AM donated the initial aircraft for the collection. The Museum was opened for public viewing in June 2000 and construction commenced on the exhibition buildings which contain display space, theatrette, admission entrance, gift shop, a children's playground and picnic area. These were completed and opened to the public in August 2001.
Stage Three of the Museum Complex was completed in November 2002 with the opening of a 1980 sq m. display hangar. All aircraft are housed in this new hangar with the original hangar becoming a customised restoration and maintenance facility.
Throughout WWII more than 10,000 personnel were involved at the school with upwards of 2,400 pilots being trained. At its peak the unit contained a total of 97 de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft. Four satellite airfields were set up around the Temora district to cope with the demand to train RAAF pilots.
No 10 EFTS ceased operation on 12 March 1946 making it the last WWII flying school to close. Since then, Temora has continued its aviation heritage becoming the preferred airfield for a growing number of sport aviation activities including gliding, parachuting, aerobatics, ultra-light aircraft operations and model aircraft.
When Sydney businessman David Lowy AM expressed interest in establishing an aviation museum dedicated to aircraft and pilots who had defended Australia, Temora Aerodrome had all the attributes - rich in aviation history, hospitable people, an encouraging and co-operative local council, good weather, flat terrain and uncontrolled air space below 20,000 feet.
The Museum was incorporated in late 1999, construction of the facilities then commenced and a Governing Committee made up of a group of experienced and diverse people was formed.
The first hangar was completed in February 2000 and David Lowy AM donated the initial aircraft for the collection. The Museum was opened for public viewing in June 2000 and construction commenced on the exhibition buildings which contain display space, theatrette, admission entrance, gift shop, a children's playground and picnic area. These were completed and opened to the public in August 2001.
Stage Three of the Museum Complex was completed in November 2002 with the opening of a 1980 sq m. display hangar. All aircraft are housed in this new hangar with the original hangar becoming a customised restoration and maintenance facility.
Temora
has a rich and noteworthy aviation history having been home to the No.
10 Elementary Flying Training School (10 EFTS) set up by the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF) in May 1941. No 10 EFTS was the largest and
longest lived of the flying schools established under the Empire Air
Training Scheme during World War Two (WWII).
Throughout WWII more than 10,000 personnel were involved at the school with upwards of 2,400 pilots being trained. At its peak the unit contained a total of 97 de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft. Four satellite airfields were set up around the Temora district to cope with the demand to train RAAF pilots.
No 10 EFTS ceased operation on 12 March 1946 making it the last WWII flying school to close. Since then, Temora has continued its aviation heritage becoming the preferred airfield for a growing number of sport aviation activities including gliding, parachuting, aerobatics, ultra-light aircraft operations and model aircraft.
When Sydney businessman David Lowy AM expressed interest in establishing an aviation museum dedicated to aircraft and pilots who had defended Australia, Temora Aerodrome had all the attributes - rich in aviation history, hospitable people, an encouraging and co-operative local council, good weather, flat terrain and uncontrolled air space below 20,000 feet.
The Museum was incorporated in late 1999, construction of the facilities then commenced and a Governing Committee made up of a group of experienced and diverse people was formed.
The first hangar was completed in February 2000 and David Lowy AM donated the initial aircraft for the collection. The Museum was opened for public viewing in June 2000 and construction commenced on the exhibition buildings which contain display space, theatrette, admission entrance, gift shop, a children's playground and picnic area. These were completed and opened to the public in August 2001.
Stage Three of the Museum Complex was completed in November 2002 with the opening of a 1980 sq m. display hangar. All aircraft are housed in this new hangar with the original hangar becoming a customised restoration and maintenance facility.
Throughout WWII more than 10,000 personnel were involved at the school with upwards of 2,400 pilots being trained. At its peak the unit contained a total of 97 de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft. Four satellite airfields were set up around the Temora district to cope with the demand to train RAAF pilots.
No 10 EFTS ceased operation on 12 March 1946 making it the last WWII flying school to close. Since then, Temora has continued its aviation heritage becoming the preferred airfield for a growing number of sport aviation activities including gliding, parachuting, aerobatics, ultra-light aircraft operations and model aircraft.
When Sydney businessman David Lowy AM expressed interest in establishing an aviation museum dedicated to aircraft and pilots who had defended Australia, Temora Aerodrome had all the attributes - rich in aviation history, hospitable people, an encouraging and co-operative local council, good weather, flat terrain and uncontrolled air space below 20,000 feet.
The Museum was incorporated in late 1999, construction of the facilities then commenced and a Governing Committee made up of a group of experienced and diverse people was formed.
The first hangar was completed in February 2000 and David Lowy AM donated the initial aircraft for the collection. The Museum was opened for public viewing in June 2000 and construction commenced on the exhibition buildings which contain display space, theatrette, admission entrance, gift shop, a children's playground and picnic area. These were completed and opened to the public in August 2001.
Stage Three of the Museum Complex was completed in November 2002 with the opening of a 1980 sq m. display hangar. All aircraft are housed in this new hangar with the original hangar becoming a customised restoration and maintenance facility.
So as you can see, this is a pretty special place for anyone with the slightest interest in military aircraft, or planes generally for that matter. I had actually seen four of the WW2 aircraft from Temora engaging in a mock dogfight over Avalon airfield during the Avalon Airshow (in which Stu flew demonstrations in his Navy A 350 helicopter) a number of years ago....it was going to be interesting to now see them on the ground.
As you would expect, the entrance to the museum, where fees are paid and a quick resume of what is on offer is presented to each arriving guest,
also displays a wide range of souvenirs. I returned back to our base camp unimpeded by any purchases....the Treasurer was in a state of shock until I confessed....none of the T shirts or polo tops fitted me properly!
Immediately beyond this den of goodies is a room in which the major display consists of wall panels expounding the feats of various WW1 flying aces
and a very cleverly mounted audio-visual section where one can don headphones and watch a series of vignettes presented by those who flew or serviced aircraft in various WW2 theatres.
From here it is a short stroll to the main aircraft hangar, and here is a real treasure trove of significant military aircraft. Let me again quote from the website:
"Unless otherwise noted, all of the museum's aircraft are airworthy and are flown regularly during the Museum's Showcase Days. Several of the museum's aircraft are the only of their kind flying in Australia, such as the two Supermarine Spitfires. Others, such as the F.8 Gloster Meteor and Lockheed Hudson, are the only flying aircraft of their kind in the world."
So let us be content with a poor photo of the CAC Sabre, which is actually on loan from the RAAF Museum. This aircraft won fame during the Korean War when it more than matched the Russian MIGs against which it flew.
And here is the F8, the Gloster Meteor. Remember, this is the only one of its kind still flying....in the world!
I have a sad personal connection with the de Havilland Vampire, a single engined jet fighter with its distinctive twin tail boom. One of my good school friends, Malcolm (Ho) Roberston was killed when he crashed one of these aircraft during training.
This was the sort of thing which 'happens to others'. I can still vividly recall the state of complete shock and disbelief with which I and my erstwhile classmates greeted this news, particularly in light of the pride (and envy) many of us felt in Ho's achievements to date.
At one end of the hangar is a display of many of the engines which powered the various aircraft over the years. The famous Rolls Royce Merlin power plant (of Spitfire fame) can be seen here at the left of the shot in front of the wonderful background mural.
It is just as well, I suspect, that the camera was playing up so much.....it has prevented me from boring you all to death. Suffice it to say there were many more aircraft in this hangar, some of real historical war service significance....I roamed around for ages.
In addition to this display hangar, visitors to Temora are also invited to inspect the working hangar, where, on an upper floor, one of the exhibits is a scale model of No 10 Elementary Flying Training School, the huge training base set up here in Temora in 1941.
On the hangar floor below this display level, I could get a good look at
a number of the aircraft undergoing scheduled maintenance.
Upstairs, informative plaques provides relevant details about each of the aircraft on display below.
Photos of the aircraft in flight abound, such as this showing what must be an extraordinarily rare formation of Spitfire, Vampire, and Meteor fighters and a Canberra bomber in the air together.
And, amongst all this serious stuff, were reminders of the sense of humour which prevailed in most areas where Aussie servicemen and women gathered and toiled during the wars. I mean, this is very, very witty!
So, on this much lighter note, I shall put and end to my personal indulgence of the day and farewell Temora, a place to which I would love to return for one of the scheduled flying days. Sadly, none fell within a bulls roar of our Junee sojourn. I was so glad I had been to Avalon!
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Hello Everybody,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.
BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS
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Hello Everybody,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.
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