TUESDAY 28 APRIL     HAY TO WEST WYALONG     270kms

We both slept in this morning, possibly due to the overcast, dull morning. So, even though already hitched up, it was 10am before we were ready to leave.

The rain had let up during the night, but the ground was still wet.

The Mid Western Highway, eastwards, was wider than the road yesterday had been, but the edges were still very soft and John was very careful not to stray off the sealed stuff, at all. We saw places where vehicles had driven off the black top and bogged.

Stopped for a coffee break at Goolgowi, familiar from previous trips north to Qld. However, this time we would not be going north from there, towards Hillston and Cobar, but continuing eastwards.

While drinking our coffee, watched some ringneck parrots, who appeared to have a nest in a nearby tree – or else be sussing it out for one. It was the first of this type of parrot seen on this trip.

Our lunch stop was at Rankins Springs – I’d made sandwiches before we left this morning. Whilst eating, we watched babblers and apostle birds pecking about on the ground nearby.

By this time the previously flat plains had become more undulating, even hilly. Much more interesting and cheerful….

I noted that the caravan park at Rankins Springs would be alright for a future stay, maybe to explore the nearby Cocoparra National Park.

From here, it was a pleasant run through farming country, to West Wyalong. We passed what appeared to be a very large olive growing venture.

Booked into the Ace Caravan Park, for $23. Found this park quite good and would certainly stay here again. It was still being actively developed and improved. Most sites were drive through style and attractively set out. By late afternoon, most were occupied. There was a railway line behind the park, but no trains went through while we were there.

After a minimal set up, we walked the length of the town’s main street. I had hopes of being able to buy some new sneakers. The walking we’d done at Echuca and Hay had resulted in very wet feet, because I’d picked up the wrong pair of shoes from outside our back door at home. Instead of good solid, walking suitable sneakers, I’d brought my older gardening ones, complete with soles cracked right across. From the top, they didn’t look much different.

The only sneakers I could find locally that were anywhere near sturdy enough were also white! Not exactly a practical colour for my lifestyle, so I passed on buying those. Maybe in the larger centre of Dubbo?

Detoured into a supermarket and bought some groceries. There were more than I’d expected to need, so the walk ended up doubling as weights training too.

There was still some cloud about, but it felt like it was going to be a really cold night. I was glad I’d packed my woolly bedsocks.

John was feeling rather frustrated by the short stages we had done to date – not his preferred travelling style – and so said that he wanted to reach Lightning Ridge tomorrow. I had planned to stay at Peak Hill, where we had never stopped to look about and where there was a caravan park I wanted to sample. But, must keep the driver happy, so wasn’t going to make a fuss about that.