Last night saw the long awaited “choose your poison”
take-away night. Kev couldn’t resist and went for the KFC option while Maz, Gaz
and I went for pizza (Kev has decided he’s definitely not a fan of pizza). On
the way to pick it up we did a bit of a drive around the nearby streets behind
the caravan park and were astounded to see some really magnificent homes, all
with lovely gardens and sometimes orchards, and on about one-acre blocks. This
delightful detour unfortunately made us late to pick up our pizza and then some
stuff ups by “very disinterested kids” at KFC ensured that we were presented
with cold pizza on arrival back at the cabin. The microwave did the trick and Kev
found an extra chips in his pack, so all was not lost.
Packing up and on the road by 8:45am, we headed off on our
adventure. As mentioned yesterday, we were going via Barellan and the others
wanted to see Weethalle. Gaz and I stopped very briefly at Barellan for a quick
look at the “Big Tennis Racquet”. It’s certainly the biggest thing in Barellan,
a very small town indeed. I think it’s great that they have that tribute to
Evonne Goolagong … and it puts them on the map.
The roads out this way are pretty good and mostly have a
110km speed limit, so it didn’t seem too long and we were in West Wyalong. What
a lovely town. I walked up and down the main street, and Gaz shopped (surprise,
surprise), while we waited for Kev & Maz who were about 15 minutes behind
us. We then found a coffee shop, where some cake and Lemon Meringue Pie also found
their way to our table, and watched the world go by. We admired some of the old
buildings including the old CBC Bank and Bank of NSW. On the way back to the
car, Gaz and I popped into the Shire Building that houses the Tourist Info and
Library, ostensibly to use their bathroom facilities – well, that’s what I
thought we were doing. When I came out Gaz was nowhere to be seen so I assumed
he was at the car, but alas, nowhere to be seen. I made myself a cup of tea
from the thermos, waited a while, and then drove off looking or him. Oh, there
he was, sheepishly exiting the Tourist Info with purchases in hand. He
seriously cannot help himself!
Agreeing to meet in Forbes for lunch, we set off about the
same time as Maz & Kev. Upon reaching Forbes, we did a recky, decided on a
park venue, shopped for picnic stuff and met them at Apex Park, a nice spot
near the town at Lake Forbes. Looked a bit more like a river than a lake, but a
sign said it was fed by bore water and that’s what keeps its water level up.
Nice fountain in the middle too! I dropped some painted rocks for any passing children,
and we hightailed it off to the nearby McFeeters Motor Museum.
Wow – this place was pretty awesome – a massive two-storey
shed chockas full of vintage cars, mostly in pristine condition, and many still
driveable and registered. The owners, Mr (Bill) and Mrs McFeeter were very
welcoming. Bill took us around on a personal tour – and boy, could he talk. He
had a story for every vehicle – it was quite entertaining. There were mannequins
all around, suitably showing the fashions of the times and these apparently were
adorned in Mrs McFeeters old clothes, including her wedding dress! All in all,
a good hour or so … and Buddy had a drive of the car outside. He is so invested
in this trip!
Our next stop was the Forbes cemetery – no, it wasn’t my bad
driving – this is where Ben Hall, the bushranger is buried. Don’t recall much
about him, but I guess it is a bit weird we are ‘honouring’ a crook with such a
memorial. Also buried within 100 yards or so is Kate Foster (nee Kelly), Ned’s
sister. Apparently, when alive, she didn’t like people to know she was a Kelly –
can’t say I blame her.
Kev and Maz decided to explore Forbes a bit more while Gaz
& I were keen to get to Parkes and unpack. Our cabin here is a bit more
spacious and with a full kitchen which is handy as we are cooking tonight.
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