May we break your drought?
This is being composed on a short(ish) trip to Adelaide. When we return home I'll put up an index post but in the meantime folk might like to read this diary approach.
A determinate of our route has been a suggestion by Frances that we go through Broken Hill to tick off the Silver City and indeed Silverton. Good idea!
My first route went via Lake Cargelico, Hillston Ivanhoe, and Menindee. None of these are places to visit in Summer, unless you really like 45oC. Then it started to rain and the Shires closed the roads between Hillston and Ivanhoe and Ivanhoe to Menindee. Plan B was to go to Hay, Ivanhoe and up to Wilcannia where the roads were still open. Then it looked as though it was going to continue raining so Hay, Wentworth Broken Hill looked weatherproof. These three routes are illustrated in the image below.
I am advised that I should summarise this in terms of cost benefit. Compared to the red line the way we came was perhaps 10% longer. However the red route was out because of closed roads. Compared to the blur route the way we came was again a bit longer in distance, but on much better roads and we didn't get bogged so a good bit quicker..
Before we left I checked various weather forecasts and it seemed that Hay might get a drop on ANZAC Day, as we left home. But only a drop.
We were off well on time (0830) and took our usual route to the Hume Highway. Along Shingle Hill Way it was fun to follow a horse float - obviously with an occupant, due to the tail hanging outside.
On to the Hume Highway and off we went. By the time we got to Gundagai fuel consumption had dropped to about 11.3l/100km. We noticed lots of dark clouds to the West. Yep they were full of rain - a temporary condition as the rain was all dropped as we headed West. Then the sun came out as we got to Wagga. The rest of the trip must be dry.
At Narranderra we topped up with diesel, Thank you, local youth who pulled forward at the pumps so we could do this. Then to the Wetlands to see what was around. Very little was the answer, but they are still a great site.
They even have a rubber map to let dogs cross the bridge.
On heading West it was apparent that there was still some moisture around. We spotted some Black Kites (normal out here) and some Emus - surprisingly on the North side of the road.
It was interesting that when we got to Narranderra the temperature was around 17 degrees. By the time we got to Hay, through quite a bit more rain, it had dropped to 11. Also our fuel consumption -around 11.9l/100km at Gundagai had risen to 13 at Hay, indicating a headwind behind the front.
After checking into the caravan park went to look at the sewage works - a top spot for birds. Unfortunately it was also a top spot for mud so I didn't get far. The local silos were well endowed with Little Corellas.
As we retreated we called in to check out the Long Paddock sculptures. Not all the mud was at the poo pits and 4wd drive was required to get out.
back to Index post
A determinate of our route has been a suggestion by Frances that we go through Broken Hill to tick off the Silver City and indeed Silverton. Good idea!
My first route went via Lake Cargelico, Hillston Ivanhoe, and Menindee. None of these are places to visit in Summer, unless you really like 45oC. Then it started to rain and the Shires closed the roads between Hillston and Ivanhoe and Ivanhoe to Menindee. Plan B was to go to Hay, Ivanhoe and up to Wilcannia where the roads were still open. Then it looked as though it was going to continue raining so Hay, Wentworth Broken Hill looked weatherproof. These three routes are illustrated in the image below.
Before we left I checked various weather forecasts and it seemed that Hay might get a drop on ANZAC Day, as we left home. But only a drop.
We were off well on time (0830) and took our usual route to the Hume Highway. Along Shingle Hill Way it was fun to follow a horse float - obviously with an occupant, due to the tail hanging outside.
At Narranderra we topped up with diesel, Thank you, local youth who pulled forward at the pumps so we could do this. Then to the Wetlands to see what was around. Very little was the answer, but they are still a great site.
It was interesting that when we got to Narranderra the temperature was around 17 degrees. By the time we got to Hay, through quite a bit more rain, it had dropped to 11. Also our fuel consumption -around 11.9l/100km at Gundagai had risen to 13 at Hay, indicating a headwind behind the front.
After checking into the caravan park went to look at the sewage works - a top spot for birds. Unfortunately it was also a top spot for mud so I didn't get far. The local silos were well endowed with Little Corellas.
back to Index post
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