Tues, 14th Oct, 2014 Bathurst to Bethungra Dam

Sunny start to the morning and 11.7 degrees at 8am.

The Denison Bridge was opened in 1870.

Rang Peter and Phyllis to say bye and left a message as they weren’t home. Headed off onto the Olympic Highway.

Lovely rolling green hills reminded us of the Tablelands at home. Had to climb a steep range (12 degrees incline) that Steve had to go back to 2^nd gear. Got a text from the boys now at Rollingstone – they had rain and hail too on their way out of  Bathurst.

Found some lovely poplars (I think) past Blayney, they look different with foliage.

The weather got cloudier as we past some wind turbines along the way.

At Carcoar where the sign says “A Town that Time Forgot” – sounds interesting so will check that out next time.

Coffee at Lynhurst which could have been our National Capital if the 4^th Prime Minister of Australia had his way. It is still 11.7 degrees in the van.

Lots of lovely fields of yellow – we think is Canola – wish someone would put up signs!!!

Through Cowra, dropping down to 300 meters above sea level but the weather has gotten worse and it is raining and windy.

Stopped for lunch on a hilltop Lions Park north of Young but the view wasn’t too good because of the weather. Some lads had a fabulous motorcross track so Steve watched them for a while flying through the air.

Young is famous for cherries and I just got the “Big Cherry” – the wiper blade got in the road.

Tried to get a photo of the cherry trees.

Lovely old buildings and we saw a sign for the Lambing Flat Museum and Chinese Gardens. There was terrible riots etc with the Chinese back in the Goldfields time. Will definitely need more time here.

Then we went through Wombat – a historical village.

Cootamundra is Donald Bradman’s birthplace and his house is a museum and there is Cricket Captains Walk.

Good fuel price here.

Love these purple leaf trees. Missed getting a photo of the Cootamundra Wattle as we came into town – they had a sign and they lined the road.

Another lovely tree.

Following the railway line then we turned off onto a dirt road and went under the Viaduct to get to Bethungra Dam. Lucky Steve didn’t wash the car and van yesterday while it was raining as it is all dirty now!!!

Ian rang to say he was home and watching a replay of Bathurst V8s on Seven 3 so luckily we could get a signal and sat down and watched the last 40 laps – it was still just as exciting. The weather forecast said it was 1 degree in Bathurst with a top of 12, so glad we left. We set up by the dam with 4 other campers. Got the awning out and the damp clothes. The wind and rain started so we left them there and prayed for sunshine tomorrow. Steve put on the generator and we ran our heaters as it was getting colder – 7 degrees when Steve went out.

Loving our flannelette sheets – thanks mum.