Broken Hill

Heading off from Largs Bay on 15th June 2010, we had several of the neighbours pop out and wish us well on our travels. Mum and Dad arrived just before 8:00 a.m. to send us on our way and Mum commented on our lovely neighbours. Mum was a bit teary when we had a hug before leaving - 3 months is the longest time we would be away ever. Dad gave me a hug and told me to look after my knee so they'll both worry about that while we're away. Once a parent, always a parent.

The temperature was a tad low on the scale and listening to the weather reports, Yunta was -2C. That was where we were heading and possibly staying overnight depending on how things went.
With the sun shining, it didn't take long for the car to warm up.

Rendezvous with the Gaylards at Barker Inlet lookout was all organised and we set off on our northern adventure. Whilst we had both used walkie talkies on yard duty at school, we neglected to ask John and Lorraine about the frequency and Lorraine's new mobile phone wasn't working either but after a stop at Burra for lunch (at a bakery), we had our communication all organised.
I was told to be careful about what I said as others can tune into and use the same frequency.

Arriving at Yunta in good time, John refueled and we decided that Broken Hill was the go. Yunta's not much of a place - petrol station, truckies' stop and a camping area.

As we travelled along the Barrier Highway, we both noticed how very different the landscape was compared to our trip to the east coast of NSW and Victoria. Low-lying hills, silver grey saltbush dotting the red earth with the silhouttes of stobie poles disappearing into the horizon looking like a mass crucifixion in the making. Stunted trees were few and far between and the flat landscape was split by the road with a few curves to add some change.

The green tinge of the soil showed evidence of recent rains and when we travelled out past Silverton on the way to Umberumberka Reservoir (16.06.2010), washouts in a few places had smashed up the road although a brief detour made it passable.

John and Lorraine shifted a few things and we were all able to travel together for sight-seeing. Silverton Hotel provided a lot of laughs with the many humourous handwritten signs hanging from the ceiling. Robert had to be photographed with the Mad Max vehicle because Matty would want to see that!

Earlier in the day, we visited a few art galleries - they abound and multiply every time we come here. John and Lorraine hadn't been to Pro Hart's or Jack Absolom's so we suggested they would enjoy the experience. Jack came out to chat with us and he was his usual straight to the point, no bullshit person. He is 83 and still paints. I was talking with him about mining and found out that all of the opals on display in his gallery, were mined by him. He had 4 uncles who were miners and he began mining at 12 years of age.

He wanted to know where were going and wondered why we were planning on travelling to Cooktown (the arse end of the Earth according to him). Listening to the route, he scoffed at the idea of going to Moree because of the number of road-trains using this road. We've taken his advice and have changed our itinerary. With his experience in the bush, we'd be silly not to listen and think about it.

We head to Menindee Lakes area tomorrow.