Well once packed up and after our final soak in the thermal pool we filled the car up and headed off, we just left Lightning Ridge when the check engine light came on the car. We checked water, oil and all things like that, it wasnt overheating so we thought we would get to Dubbo and get it checked out there. First stop today was at Walgett for all those who have known me for a long time know that I am a mad St George fan and my all time favourite football player is the spunky boy from Walgett Ricky Walford ever since he first started playing for St George I have always wanted to go to Walgett well finally my dream came true and here we are how very exciting (I know I am sad, but hey thats me).
After our quick stop at Walgett and a mms photo message to my dear friend Karen in Sydney she was my bridesmaid and my football groupie partner lol it was back on the road. Next stop Gilgandra for a toilet stop and a bit of a walk along the windmill path. It was such a pretty little rest stop and a nice walk to stretch our legs.
Back in the car and not far to go to Dubbo. We arrive at Dubbo at about 5pm and it suddenly dawns on me I didnt ring the caravan park to say we were arriving a day earlier. As we drive in there is a Jayco camper in front of us in the driveway and when I went into the office she had just given our site to these people lucky for us they were happy to change to another site so we didnt have to set up then move the next day. Once we set up the kids rode around the park to get to know it and see who they could find to talk to and within minutes they had met Roxy the dog next door. We were in the middle of two great people both kiwis travelling around the country (lucky things) the lady to our left was lucky enough to get work in the office at the caravan park on the man on the right got 12 months maintence work at the park so it is proof there is work available for travellers. The good thing about having my St George wheel cover and stickers on the back of my car is it is a great conversation starter we got talking to Bryce about football and as there were finals football on this weekend Bryce put his TV in his annex and invited us over woohoo to bad Broncos thats karma for knocking the Dragons out last week. Now I just wanted to mention this trip has all come about for us to attend Australian Camper Trailers Group National Meet and we have met some truly wonderful friends from being part of this group. Today just after we arrived Jenny from the group whom I have never met only just chatted to online came to welcome us to Dubbo and as I had put on facebook we were having car troubles she explained to us where the Suzuki dealer was which Kate another camper trailer friend had looked up and sent the phone number through to me.
Friday 24/9/11
Darrell got up early and took the car to Suzuki to be told it was the oxygen sensors which they had none in stock but he assured us car would be fine to drive back home. While waiting for Denise, Steve and the girls to arrive I went to have a shower and when I came back I saw some lady talking to Darrell and thought who is he chatting up now lol, it was the lovely Jenny she had come to make sure car was ok and that we were fine to get on with our sightseeing. Thankyou Jenny your kindness will always be remembered hopefully the next time we catch up your invisible husband will be there lol. Denise, Steve and the girls arrived at about 9.30am and Darrell and Steve set up their tent so we could head over to the zoo. The kids put their bike in the back of Steves ute and then we were off for a great day.
We drove around while the kids rode there bikes my favourite part of the zoo was definately Cuddles the elephant he was awesome. I love how the zoo is so spread out and it is very clean, your ticket automatically gives you 2 consecutive days so you dont have to rush we did it in one day due to time constraints.
After the zoo Denise, Candice, Taz and I went up to check out the shopping centre that had Big W, we did some groceries then back to camp for a BBQ and a fairly early night.
Saturday 25/9/11
After a leisurely start to the day it was off to find a doctor for Darrell as he had come down with sore eyes and needed some drops, the kids just hung around the park riding bikes and having a swim. About lunchtime we got silverside started and put into the ecopot for dinner then we all headed off to Old Dubbo Gaol. Its a great place with a lot of intersting facts. I love the way the displays have mannequins and when you push the button it tells you a story as if they are talking to you. When I went to see what a solitary dark cell was like I stood at the door thinking hmm its very dark I bet one of my kids will try to scare me and as I entered the room I hear BOO and I screamed bloody Denise thought that was real funny lol wonder how long she waited there for me. The gallows have been restored to show where people were hung. This is a place with lots of history and great information even though it hadnt changed much in 17 years since we were there last we still thoroughly enjoyed it. Poor Taz when she was in the stock thingy (not sure its name) as I picked it up to let her out it slipped out of my hand and banged down on her so glad didnt hit her head it would of knocked her out but it did leave a nasty cut and bruise where it pinched her arms.
Once we finished looking around the gaol Tom really wanted to buy a souvenir key so while in the souvenir shop we got talking to the lovely young guy who told us he was the coolest lad in Dubbo so if you ever make it to the gaol go a speak to the cool young guy. We had a bit of a wander through the shops before heading back to the caravan park for kids to have another swim. We settled down and had an early dinner of silverside, mashed potato and white sauce yummo who said you cant eat well while camping, Poor Denise came down with a migraine so she went to bed early and we settled in to watch the football with our neighbours god I love seeing Storm get beat well done Warriors.
Well today it was time to head off to Baradine so after a breakfast of bacon and eggs cooked by Denise we started to pack up and it was a race against the rain it was very black and windy just as we got packed up it absolutely poured down so once packed we jumped in the car and it was the end of our weekend meet with Denise and Steve as we head to Baradine they have one more day before they head back to Ulladulla. We really enjoyed their company this weekend and look forward to our next trip away with them if Denise and I have our way it will be doing the lap round Oz.
We enjoyed our time in Dubbo and highly recommend Midstate Caravan Park it is a small park situated in amongst the car yards on the Newell Hwy, but park and amenitities are spotlessly clean and staff are very friendly.
Contact info:
Midstate caravan Park - $26 per night double powered site plus $5 per child
http://www.midstatemotorpark.com.au/
Dubbo Zoo - family of 4 $117.00 for two day pass
http://search3.google.com/?_kwd=dubbo%20zoo&lnk=http://www.taronga.org.au/taronga-western-plains-zoo&t=g
Old Dubbo Gaol - family of 4 $36.00
http://www.olddubbogaol.com.au/
Very interesting Wendie. You are having a great time. Was good to see you at Baradine and again at Andrew Drynan. Keep enjoying your travels and your diary
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