FRIDAY JULY 19     YOUNG

John had an “in” day yesterday. Today was my turn – definitely “out”.

I planned an explore to the south, and a more substantial drive than the one a couple of days ago.

Retraced the same way to Murringo, which was no problem because it was such an interesting area.

East of Young – Mopetty Road

SE from Murringo, to Boorowa, which we’d passed through on a previous trip from Canberra to Cowra.

Turned SW, on a minor road, to Cunningar and the Burley Griffin Way. This took us to the town of Harden, another one of the many settlements in this region that dates back over 150 years. Harden is on the Sydney to Melbourne rail route. We drove along side streets and found the railway station, but it was not the impressive building I was hoping to find, but very utilitarian.

More importantly, on another side street, we found Jacksons Bakery Café – and it was lunch time, well and truly. The eat-in section was rather old-world – very pleasantly so. There looked to be an outdoor garden dining area also, but not for investigation today. John indulged himself in a pepper pie and a pastie, and pronounced them both excellent. I had a generously filled salad roll. We both had coffees too.

Harden

Back in the car again, explored a few more of the Harden side streets, then went on to nearby Murrumburrah, almost a part of Harden it seemed. Nothing to see there, really, but we turned off the main road at that point and took a series of minor roads back to Young, through attractive farming country. It was easy to see why this whole area was so attractive to the early settlers, spreading out from the established settled limits, looking for land to claim.

Sydney to Melbourne rail line near Harden

Given our usual late start this morning, it was well into the afternoon by the time we got back to Young. Went straight to the dog exercise area to reward Couey for being a good dog – vehicle travel is not something she enjoys, spending the whole time on the floor behind the driver’s seat – stretched right at the limit if her harness, which can’t be comfortable. How did we come by a cattle dog that doesn’t like moving vehicles and can’t eat bones?

That had been a lovely circuit drive, though I’m sure that lunch was the highlight for the driver!

Only a light tea after that – biscuits and cheese.

Our travels around Young