Or even Forbes?? No, Gilgandra

Who let this lunatic out?

We weren't in Parkes last night.  We were in Forbes.  As we set off this morning and saw the signs to Parkes, I realised that .........   Someone had put the signs up backwards?????    No no no ......  I had got myself backwards.

We took a detour via Narramine, where we had a tasty lunch at the pub.   I must find out the history of the place.  It has a population of 3500 and shops that looks as if they once catered for many more.  The two main streets are impressively wide.  Where the two meet, there is an old chemist shop that sweeps around the corner.   I would have loved to see it in its hay day.

It was a gloriously sunny day, around 18C.   We've had exactly one month of winter so it's a bit early to look for spring.

Gilgandra is home for tonight.   Home also for Marion and Richard.  Lindy rang Marion today and a message was delivered to us --- "Your spot is OK for tomorrow."  YAY!!    The park has been immensely busy and vans are hooked up in all sorts of places.  Our spot has been used constantly.

Richard spoke about the awful plane crash that killed all 5 people, 4 from one family.  He said that if our van had been on the spot then, it would have been cut in half.

Only 300 kms to go to Moree and the hot water pools!!!!

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Parkes

Parkes -- named for Sir Henry Parkes, the father of federation.

We are pulled up here tonight beside Richard and Marion, who are our neighbours in Moree.  They are Lindy's parents and used to run the kiosk in the park.   We had parked in Narrandera to go to the toilets at the information centre when a car and caravan suddenly pulled in front of us, with whistles and yells.  How funny!   Lindy had emailed to look out for them returning from Melbourne with a new van but we told each other that they would be earlier and faster than we were.  But no, they have similar plans to ours.

We had a delicious Chinese lunch at the West Wyalong Services Club today.  $9.50 for all of the meals.  Lunch should be at Peak Hill tomorrow but I'd like it somewhere else, as Peak Hill also has Chinese.  When you travel a long distance,  with towns far apart, you have to work out where you will arrive for what meals.  We're having our main meal for lunch and putting together a quick meal in the van at night. 

Unfortunately, I'm not having early nights because WIMBLEDON is on.   Love that tennis!!   

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Jerilderie

Those of you who have travelled with me for years, will know about the numerous Ned Kelly appearances in Jerilderie, so I won't mention them.  Anyway, I didn't see them this time.   I didn't wake up until we were in the caravan park.  Ahead of me, I saw people smiling and pointing.  As we passed them, they smiled widely, so I gave a feeble wave, from my reclined position, with my feet up on the dashboard.  Doesn't everyone travel this way?

I don't know what we've left behind --- we shovelled in the last few things without looking!   Steve was coughing his head off and I was snorting, gurgling and felt about to breathe my last.   We, along with our Tasmanian friend, Sue, all caught a rotten cold at the same time.    Richard missed out.    For those who haven't heard my story ---- my Dad said that we had colds, not flu.  Then followed a lecture about the thousands who died of flu in the 1900s.  Although most people called it flu, Dad stuck to his guns.  When we were sick, notes were written to the school, saying that we had a cold.  One day, a nun settled an argument with me by saying, "But you aren't as sick as she is;  she had the flu and you only had a cold."    But still Dad didn't change his mind!   He is totally to blame (or thank) for my kids never having the flu!!!!!

A nice young man on a motor bike, directed us where to park.  He had very precise hand gestures, like an air hostess, or whatever you call them these days.  Steve felt obliged to obey.  The result of these precise hand gestures is that we can't put the TV antenna high enough to get all the channels and the van is on a lean.   Steve was too pooped to level it and didn't think that it was much of a lean.  I struggle out of my armchair and hunch over to get up the hill to the bedroom!   He barely notices the lean.  I think it's because I'm much closer to the ground.   He suggested that he could tie octopus straps to me and to the railing at the bedroom steps and then shoot me back and forth!!

By the way, this is the first trip for our new armchairs.  They are soft, cuddly and recline to almost flat out.  They fit in with my purple colours, being called "cranberry". 

And so to bed ....... with my head higher than my legs.

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Seeking the Sun

After much thought, we have decided that we can safely leave Betty and go to Moree.

Her test results are very similar to what they were this time last year and she has been stable for quite a while.  Steve plans to return in time to take her to the eye doctor's appointment on July 20 and will come back in the car.

Rachel rang yesterday with exciting news.  As soon as she heard when we planned to leave, she rang the caravan park and booked in, for herself, Tom and Indy.  This is going to be good fun!!!  I can't wait.  My dream is to have all of my kids, partners and grandkids together in Moree, where we can have fun in the heated water.

I have 2 massages each week.  Kat is great and a real wag.  She persuaded me to be photograph "planking".   Click on the photos.

Planking on the massage table
Planking on gym equipment

 

After weeks of having no mice -------- we got one in a trap yesterday and found 2 mummified bodies today.  Awww --- they don't want us to leave home, the little darlings.  BAH.

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