2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Mon, 8th Jan, 2024 Andrea & Steve’s place, Wahroonga to Barbour Park, Gunning, NSW

Overcast morning. We packed up and moved the camper onto the road in case Andrea could get her car into the mechanic - warning light coming on and Steve couldn’t fix it.

We chatted till 9.30 and had a cuppa then said goodbye. We had said bye to Meg and Logan last night as they got up early and went to work. Andrea looking forward to retirement in a couple of months. Got a photo of Steve and Andrea to show Terry.

Programmed ‘girlie’ to get us over to DCA so we could drop off the tensioner and hopefully pick up a new one. The one supplied was definitely secondhand so we wanted to give it back to prove the point - they must have robbed a part and never replaced it. Oh well they are ordering a new one now!

Misty rain as we wound our way through the streets. Found an Ettamogah Pub - love the saying on the side. I thought it was just on the Sunshine Coast but Steve says they are a franchise all over.

We found the place again (near Windsor) but the shed was shut up. I googled but didn’t find any new address. Steve chatted with the guy in the shed beside and he was going to try and get a phone number for us. I sent an email and amazingly the chap replied. They have moved to East Kurrajong but won’t be open till 15^th and the tensioner hasn’t arrived yet any case. I replied we will call back on our way north again and asked for the address - no reply to that!!

Headed off then pulled over near a sportsground to have lunch in the camper as the rain was heavier now.

Headed down to the M7 - we have a toll thing so will check the bill later! The rain continued.

Passed the turn off into Casula - where Mum was born and raised.

Heavier rain as the M7 changed to the Hume Highway and we headed towards Goulburn.

The rain stopped near Berrima. We remembered the terrible sound when the Pat the truck sounded like a tractor on the highway and we turned off into Berrima and there was this diesel place that Steve had read about so we were able to get it all sorted. Some times things just fall into place even if they seem bad at the time, it all works out. Great history there too.

Still heavy clouds and the traffic is light so no problems for Stephen. Another shower of rain then we turned off for a cuppa at Towrang at the VC Derrick Rest Area. Found some interesting history. Unfortunately the perspex cover has come out and the twigs and leaves have got in behind it.

There was more info on the back but no one has cleared behind it so probably no one reads this part.

Info about who the rest area was named after and all the trees planted in honour of other soldiers etc. One has split and has two trunks.

Walked through all the lovely trees to where the old road was and found the very old bridge. There is a wall keeping the water back in a lagoon now.

As we headed out I spotted another old culvert.

Continued on to Goulburn where we topped up at a Metro who had the cheapest fuel ($1.699/L).

There’s a big tower on the hill then a big ram (Ugg boot shop I think).

Looks like lots to explore when we get back here as we drove through town to find the dump point and the Metro outlet. They had an in and out but obviously people can’t read and they all came in the OUT while we were parked at the IN so we gave out and went around and followed them in!!

Near here is Crookwell and Wheeo that we did visit in 2015 because Steve’s ancestors on the Selmes side (Terry’s side, maternal grandparents). They had a big family plot and I think a descendent still lives in the family home.

Low dark clouds as we continue on to Gunning. Passed lots of wind turbines then into very heavy rain.

Off the highway into Gunning, established 1821 and around to Balbour Park, named after a doctor who served the district for 50 years and was the Shire President. We stayed here in 2015. Still raining so we chose a spot, parked and waited a bit for the rain to ease off before getting out. Then we sat in the camper and had a drink till the rain stopped before putting up the roof. Steve read while I did some blogging - behind again! Haven’t done any cross-stitching either!!

I looked up the family tree and found an ancestor John Howarth died in Towrang in 1844 and was buried in Goulburn Cemetery so will have to do a list so we can find graves as we travel. His wife, Mary, died in 1857 and is buried in Goulburn too. There were a few children born in Towrang - Steve’s direct line is daughter Amelia who then married James Selmes of Wheeo in Tumut. They had 12 children. The eldest was Henry Selmes who was born in Gundagai though most were born in Wheeo. So will get back there and explore some more. Steve just nods when I explain it to him!! Henry and his family then moved to Eidsvold (where Stephen was born) and his daughter is Steve’s grandmother, Terry’s mother. Well that’s enough to confuse everyone.

The rain stopped and sky cleared a bit about 7pm so it was still daylight. We put the roof and got our camp photo. Water is running under the camper down Meadow Creek.