Mar 27, 2013 - The Dunera Museum

This morning we cycled into the town before it got too hot as it is forecast to be 39oC today. We visited the Dunera museum which is in some railway carriages, the remains of a POW camp in WWII. It is very interesting as many German and Austrian Jews who fled to Britain at the start of the war were assumed to be enemies and sent out as POW's to Australia. They were highly educated architects, university professors, professionals, etc. they set up their own university whilst interned. They were released in 1943 and some went on to shape the...

Mar 26, 2013 - Hay, the river and the bush

The river snakes round the town so we took the boat up the river and moored it and walked into town. It is very hot. I think 39oC today. We visited the post office and some of the shops and the IGA for a few supplies. Sitting outside the truck under the awning in the heat of the day, it is so silent. How do you describe the silence of the bush? Especially when the rowdy cockies woke us up first thing in the morning on the Murray. It is so incredibly quiet. There are some beautiful parrots here. I must look them up in the bird book. They...

Mar 25, 2013 - Hay and the Murrumbidgee river

We are staying in a free camp at Sandy Point, Hay, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. It is a beautiful spot and oh so hot. About 35oC. There are so many nice people around. Bob came over from his caravan to check out the boat and winch. He gets all his ideas from talking to other caravaners. We got the boat down and went out later in the day on the river. So nice. There were a few local water skiers there as there is a boat ramp.

Mar 24, 2013 - Sandy Point

Before leaving Yarrawonga for Hay we went to the Presbyterians for Palm Sunday as Peter was playing the organ so we went there to the service which we enjoyed. We had a cup of tea with the folks after. The minister spoke a good word. He mentioned that the former Arch Bishop of Canterbury Dr. Runcie, had stated that he didn't know what he believed about the crucifixion! How on earth can you be the head of a church and not know what you believe! Amazing. On the foreshore they were having a farmer's market and we bought some fruit and veg and...

Nov 27, 2012 - Shearing and storms in Hay

We left Mildura in the morning for the drive to Hay along the Sturt Highway. We passed through the small town of Euston before arriving before lunch at Balranald at the Lions park. This is quite a bustling town on the banks of the Murrumbidgee which has quite a bit to see in and around the town. Maybe next time! We then continued travelling along the highway (loose term - one of the worst roads we have encountered, mind you we were spoilt in WA and to some extent SA). 90% of the traffic seemed to be trucks. As we approached Hay, the land...

Aug 29, 2012 - Excited To Have Power!

Hi, We made it to Hay in quick time - was not intentional, just happened that way! We left Yowah after 9 and just puddled along. After picking some bits up in Cunnamulla we headed to Bourke. We spent the night at a roadside stop (Engonnia South) which is 66kms north of Bourke. Was a great spot with loads of space. We met two other Tasmanian couples and a family that we had met at Wyandra were there. While having breakfast we were entertained by the birds. They are these funny noise things that look and listen when you talk to them. The...

Jun 13, 2012 - Australian Sheep Shearers' Hall of Fame............

Kilometer count so far - 4,006 (Hay) Firstly, thanks to everyone for the great feedback by email or onto the blog site. It is great to read and helps me stay sane after riding all day and seeing nothing and then more nothing. It is appreciated. It has been an interesting and challenging few days. Passing the 4,000KM mark has been a big milestone as is seeing ever-decreasing KM signs for Sydney. The wind has still been “unfavourable” (I have called it a few other things), but it is forecast to change......... Nights are consistently below...

Jun 10, 2011 - Hay Plain

Hey from Hay! We spend the last couple of days wondering around the old port of Echuca and chatting to people. We found an amazing bakery where we had a delicious lunch and bought the best sour dough bread. Barry bought me a pair of tartan wellingtons for when we get rained on again - will be easier to get on and off when hopping in and out of the van. Last night we walked up to the Moama Bowling Club - the place where I once won $20 on a one armed bandit - no such luck with my dollar this time! I sat between two expert ladies, one had put...

Sep 12, 2009 - Setting off from Home to Bendigo to Hay

After fixing a lot of things that were suddenly remembered at last minute we finally got away from home on the first leg of our journey to our daughters house at Bendigo. Tootling along in our old 1980 caravan we wondered why a few people were waving and hooting. At our first stop we realized why. John’s boy’s Friday morning coffee mates had written DONUTS FOR SALE in big red letters along the back of the van. 9 he ripped it off before I could get a photo. At my daughter Tanya’s we were roped in for some furniture removing as she wanted to...

Jul 26, 2009 - Paddington to Hay

Sun. 26th July 2009 Weather:-Overcast/13 degrees Paddington to Hay 723k/8h The drive to Hay is an easy one and the first part is driven retracing our trip of 3 days ago until just past Gundagai where we turned off towards Wagga-Wagga. We were again slowed down by 125km of road works and about 138 kilometres before Hay we were blessed with rain. The town of Hay was established in 1859 and named after pastoralist and politician Sir John Hay. In 1877 Cobb & Co started a coach factory there. Hay is 735 km south-west of Sydney with a population...

Jul 14, 2009 - Wagga to Hay

Leaving Wagga Wagga early we made our way across the flat expanse of the Hay plains and spent the night at the nice old country town of Hay. We were surprised by the number of fine old buildings there and generally attractive appearance of the town. The visitors centre even had a lunch area set aside for travellers like us. So we decided to book into the local Big4 and settle in for a quiet night watching a DVD.

Jan 3, 2007 - Back into NSW - Stopover at Hay

Cross over the NSW border for the first time since Easter. It's suprising confronting. We are within a days drive of home so part of us feels like heading straight there. A bigger part wants to trun around & head in the opposite direction. Have we accomplished all we set out to? Are we sufficently changed?? Are we ready for the challenges of settling back into our old life??? Many questions but still a month to go so we leave thinking on these things as much as possible. Stop overnight in Hay at the Big 4 caravan park. We are due to meet up...