Distance: 154km
Fuel: 42L

It was going to be hot today, in the event it got to over 37’C and looking at the forecast it is not going to get any better next week – 42’ on the weekend.

The morning was fine, about 21’ while I was having breakfast, the trees in the park are alive with birds every morning and evening, Magpies, parrots, honey eaters and Pee Wees in abundance. A pair of these parrots watched me eat breakfast.

First drive of the day was to the supermarket to buy milk but as the morning started to heat up decided to look for water so it was off to Lake Cargelligo Weir about 20km outside town.

In typical Australian fashion the weir and the water control area was fenced and sign posted to warn of the perils. Unfortunately the ends of the fence were wrapped round a tree near the creek banks and you could just walk round it.

This weir is a regulator that controls the amount of water going to Lake Cargelligo or allows it to flow to the Lachlan River (as I understand it). There seems to be no water shortage here.

Next stop was Curlew Waters, I must admit the water was very inviting so I had a paddle.

The entry road to Curlew Waters was lined with a cluster of letter boxes, common in rural areas where the postman only visits the end of the track.

I decided to follow the dirt road to where these properties were.

Real Deliverance country.

Back to the caravan park for lunch after which I decided to visit Deadmans Point on the outskirts of town.

This was the site of an Aboriginal Midden and a Sheep Wash – basically the sheep were driven into the water, submerged and made to swim ashore to clean their fleece.

The next trip was a complete washout. I had been told that Booberoi Weir was worth a visit so I drove to Euabalong but I just couldn’t find the weir at all.

In the late afternoon re-erected my awning which was done much more efficiently this time.

I think I might start leaving the gazebo at home when I am travelling by myself, this is much lighter and, with practice, easier to put up and take down.

In the evening a branch decided to fall off the tree next to my camp site – a good reason not to have gum trees in your garden they have a habit of shedding branches.

I had originally few plans for this trip other than to get out of the house for a bit. I don’t think I have ever travelled this late in the spring. I had intended to go west but the heat coming in from northern and central Australia is likely to continue so tomorrow I am going to Orange where it is a little cooler from there I can decide if I will continue – it will all depend on the weather forecast but that is not looking good.

Distance: 286Km

I hadn’t intended to leave Young before 10am (chucking out time) but after breakfast started to pack things away and it literally took me 15 minutes so  set off ridiculously early at 8.30am.

Virtually no traffic on the roads, mostly minor roads cutting across country. First stop was West Wyalong where I had coffee. Was able to park in the main street taking up two spaces. I wonder what happened to make West Wyalong bigger than Wyalong? Wyalong you would blink and miss. (Answer – it was probably gold!)

Continued on after filling up with a flat white and carrot cake.

An otherwise non descript small town of Ungarie provided the next surprise. The town sign said “Ungarie – Home of Australia’s Biggest Football” and sure enough on a street of mostly empty and/or derelict shops was an AFL footie on a pole. (That description of the town is probably unfair it is no worse than many small towns I pass through)

Arrived at Lake Cargelligo just after midday and checked in. The spaces were large but not much shade – I squashed up into some shade but needn’t he bothered because by md afternoon it had all moved to the next site.

After setting up drove to the town centre to do some shopping and have a brief look round.

I suppose November is the end of the “season” for tourism as it is starting to get warm (42’ is forecast for the weekend) but it is quite a nice spot for those interested in boating, fishing and bird watching. I must admit that my only reason for visiting was that I have never been here before. The lady in charge of the park pointed out all the attractions the town has to offer and marked them on a map so I will look at them tomorrow.

Just for a change I set up the awning I had made for my car rather than the gazebo. Embarrassingly it took longer to set up than the gazebo but that was entirely due to my inexperience ie I kept having to retrieve forgotten pegs, hammer  etc which virtually set me back to the start. In the end it turned out very well. The only problem with it is that the car is stuck in one position while it is up.

By evening the campground was not even half full.