We had a lovely relaxing day today. We didn’t set the alarm seeing as we didn’t have to reach a new destination by tonight. After a late breakfast we walked to Boambee Head along the walking track and then returned along the beach. Making our way up from the beach, we found The Kiosk Sawtell Beach and decided that it was time for lunch. Two BLATs later we made our way back to our apartment … via the bakery with two French vanilla slices! We had a short outing to Toormina Gardens (local shopping centre) for some supplies before lazing away the rest of the afternoon on our lovely sunny balcony. Friday night fish and chips for dinner from Fries On The Side directly across the street from our apartment. How convenient. Steps: 11,986 (8.12kms)... read more

Before heading out for the day we wandered out the back gate of our motel and over to the beach on a cool, but sunny morning. Unfortunately we encountered a bit of garbage in the dunes behind the beach. It looked like someone had been camping there, but the campsite was abandoned and scattered about all over the place. The beach itself looked glorious and was popular with dog walkers and surfers alike. We watched the surfers for a while and then walked back to the motel. As we drove up into the hinterland Syri told us that we needed to turn right onto Possum Shoot Road. Yup, that‘s the name of the road BUT when Syri said it both of us thought that she was calling it Possum, another word that begins with S and ... read more

This morning we started out heading west to top up the truck at the BP Service Station. With that done we turned around to travel east on the Gwydir Highway. For the first few kilometres we were re-tracing our route from last night. Once we passed the turn-off for Terry Hie Hie it was all uncharted territory. We found a bakery in Warialda (Bakers Loaf) and purchased a couple of salad rolls to put in the fridge for later on. As we drove out of town we spotted R2D2 or rather R2B2 who was constructed to promote the Warialda Honey Festival. Obviously it screamed photo opportunity at us and was conveniently located right beside some conveniences! Driving through Delungra a mini dachshund ran across the highway. Bernie slowed down to a crawl as we worried about ... read more

It was just as well we took our photos of Mount Panorama yesterday afternoon because this morning it was foggy. Not to mention that the temperature fell to -2°C overnight. Brrr, it was cold! After re-packing the truck we headed into town to visit the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. Housed in the old public school buildings that date to 1874 the museum permanently houses the fossils and minerals collected by Warren Somerville AM. After spending a lifetime amassing the collection he donated it to the museum in 2002 so that it could be preserved for future generations to enjoy. Now I am quite familiar with the Melbourne Museum’s Dynamic Earth Gallery and I have to say that the collection here in Bathurst is as good or better than that. Not bad for a regional museum! ... read more

This morning we travelled ten kilometres east on the Sturt Highway to Forest Hill to start today’s sightseeing at the RAAF Wagga Aviation Heritage Centre that is housed in the old Guard House at the entrance to the RAAF Base Wagga (even though, technically, it is at Forest Hill). Before heading into the guard house to view the smaller exhibits we wandered around the well-preserved aircraft outside. The heritage centre is home to an F-111, a Mirage, a Korean War Meteor and a Vietnam War Canberra. Also located outdoors is a memorial to the Empire Air Training Scheme which saw thousands of aircrew trained to contribute to the WWII war effort. More than 200 training bases were constructed throughout the Empire, with 27 in Australia and nine across the the Riverina and surrounding districts. Mural artist, ... read more