The road North was quite good with not too much traffic. We stopped at a rest stop about halfway for morning tea. Carried on North where we passed through Bourke on our way to Kidman Camp to the Northwest on the Mitchell Highway. Got checked in and setup before lunch. This is a beautifully maintained and green caravan site. Lovely green grass sites which is not what you would expect in this part of the world.
We went for a drive after lunch first exploring Mays Bend North of our campsite. This is a free camp where the Ransleys had stayed before with the Grants and Holmans. We got quite a few pictures as Stephen couldn't believe the difference from when they were there before. Wouldn't be safely accessed with a caravan currently because of the floods. The grass was up to the top of the car door in areas where Stephen said it was bare dirt before. Amazing the difference rain can make. I believe this area has flooded two years in a row.
Our second destination was the Old Bourke Bridge just South of our caravan site. The Darling River is quite high and very dirty although it has already receded a lot from the floods. Got a few pictures of the original bridge which is the first bridge with a rising span in Australia. Hundreds of Corella's lined the river bank near the bridge making a terrible racket.
Later in the afternoon we ventured down to the river from the Campground where the Paddle Wheel the Jandra is moored. Unfortunately it is not operating because of the high fast moving waters. Carol and Stephen said it wasn't operating when they were here previously because of low water levels. It appears to be flood or drought for Bourke and the Darling River. The Paddle Wheel looked a bit run down and in need of a fresh coat of paint and a tidy up.
Monday we headed into Bourke with the Ransleys where we toured the new Back O Bourke Discovery Centre. It is a beautiful new building with lots of shaded parking. We watched a short film about Bourke's history before touring through a number of buildings focusing on Bourke's history and the interesting people that made it. Certainly lived a tough life in these parts of the country!
We went on a drive to the old Fort Bourke Stockade South-West of town. Quite an interesting drive because of the recent flooding. We ended up not making it to the Stockade but got some neat pictures of flooded areas. Carol was hyperventilating because of the 4WD parts of the journey. Was quite rough but dry in the areas we drove. We stopped where the water and mud took over. Had morning tea before heading back towards Bourke.
We stopped at the cemetery where Fred Hollows is buried. Another very interesting story. Funny enough they had a special on him on Current Affair that night. We did a quick tour of the old Wharf and downtown Bourke on our return to the caravan park. Lots of beautiful old buildings but quite sad as they are all sealed up solid with steel roller security shutters. Such a shame that this is required.
We fuelled up the cars in the afternoon and paid a trip to the IGA Liquor Store. Quite an experience as you stand in the middle of an area surrounded by security glass and order from a teller's type cage. Not too conducive to browsing! Sandra gave both the Ransleys a hair cut and we enjoyed the sunny afternoon. Stephen went to the Bowling Club to watch the Manly game so Carol joined us for a baked Silverside dinner.
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