24th April - Mirrawa stopover



Pencil statue - Dunedoo - art show coming up

We had a score on the way out of Dubbo, we have been looking for either a new light or a charger for our 12v/240v camp light.   Our charger is broken – called in to the BCF they’re $99 for a new light, not really an option.  The guy reckoned he may have a charger out the back from a warranty job, sure enough free of charge – we’ll take it thanks! 

Dunedoo - Wedge Tail Eagle one of the many bird statues in this park

We drove through several little townships on and had a stop at Dunedo, the highway is the main street in this town.  Had a walk around then a drink at the pub.   Got a couple rolls and headed out to a rest stop for a picnic lunch.    As we left Dunedo the weather looked a bit stormy, at the rest stop we almost got blown away.    Not sure where we are going to end up today, but it wasn’t far as it turned out as we driving parallel to the ugly dark storm front.  

This rock formation just outside of Dunedoo - it was pretty amazing as it has split smack bang down the middle, I reckon it was a lightning strike.

The head of the storm front, followed by very dark clouds, it actually looked like it spread over a few kilometres and we were driving right along side it.   Actually we were trying to out run it, but that wasn't working.

Through some more small townships, we ended up at Merriwa and booked into a little van park by the creek (left).   A nice little town – it was blowing a gale when we set up camp, by the time we set up the storm had kept blowing by and the skies were all clear, phew!    It was only a small van park, but by nightfall it was pretty much full.

This tin mural celebrate local history and strength of agriculture in the Merriwa district.  The tin used in this mural came from the local district including the sheep dip of Collaroy Station est 1829, Denman Blacksmiths shed and one of the original garages in town.  Left to right is the old cobb and co coach, a sheep herd, a flock of galahs, windmills and horses. 

A quiet night, next day we left the park by 10.20am just in time for the beginning of the Anzac parade so we decided to stay and attend the service. A real good turn out for a small town.

We were actually surprised, the streets of this little village were lined with people of all ages.  The parade led by the light horse, followed by diggers young and old, school children and the local pony club girls.

We stayed for the whole service then afterwards the parade returned to the centre of town, where the RSL premises is located.   Though tempting to go share a drink in reflection with the old diggers and locals, we decided to get going.