to see our photos of the trip so far, please click on the link below
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2049284&id=1112916442&l=5494e73fc8
Day 1 - headed out about 7.0 am. Went to Wentworth via Murray Bridge, the mallee, Loxton. Country still looked good, not too dry. On the way saw the first big thing the big Sheep/ram at Karoonda. At Wentworth, we wondered where all the people were, after all, it was mid-January, and we had a waterfront site at the caravan park. Took the kayaks for a spin, but very windy, so didn't go far. This has turned out to be the only night so far that we have had a powered site.
Day 2 - via Balranald, nice Riverbend park there on the Murrumbidgee, then to Lake Cargelligo via Hay. Little water in the lake, but went out to the weir, and camped on the sides of the Lachlan river, magic. No boating allowed. Only people camping there.
Day 3 - via Parkes, Dubbo, Gilgandra to Warrumbungles National Park (near Coonabarabran and Siding Spring Observatory). Another magic place, excellent camp grounds with gas barbys and HOT showers for $5 each. Got cold at night 5 degrees, but we were warm and cosy in our van. we will definitely come back to this park.
Day 4 - Tamworth, camped at Riverside Park, the main camping area for the festival. No power, but showers available at the sporting clubs for $2 each. An easy walk into Peel street, the main drag for the festival. Went into town, checked out the buskers, went to the Diggers club for a free concert. Pam crashed that night, while Peter checked out the night life in Peel street. Pubs and venues with free entertainment, just buy yourself a drink. the festival is great fun, so many choices for shows, it is hard to choose where to go.
Day 5 - visited the shopping centre, coffee and donuts wihile watching the free entertainment, including Smoking Joe dawson. Afternoon concert at the diggers, then off to the TREC (Tamworth Regional Entertanment Centre) for the big concert, Guy sebastian, with Gina Jeffries, Wendy Mathews and James BLundell, plus a heap of guest appearances including Adam Brandt, Casey Chambers and Beccy Cole. found out there was a lot of controversy over Guy being there, because he was not a "Country" singer, but the venue was full, so lots of people were happy to be there. It ws an excellent concert. turns out the locals are concerned that the festival may turn into a music festival, not a country music festival.
Day 6 - took the car out, headed up to the lookout, then to the golf club for lunch (with entertainment supplied) , then off to another concert $10 at door, then to the rodeo, in the new equestrian centre, a very modern, purpose built rodeo and dressage stadium, fully roofed. Amazing building, wih a capacity of 5000 in fully tiered seating.
Day 7 - getting hot by now, temps increased over the week, and forecast was for 39. Took refuge in the shopping centre for the morning, more coffee and free concerts, then went to another big concert, James Blundell with an assortment of other artists. He seems to be the father figure of up and coming stars he is promoting. Excellent show, although people walked out when the 3 hours was up (show went for an extra 30 mins). One even complained that the headline act was not on first. After that, ambled down the street, back to the diggers for a bit of bluegrass, before heading home.
Day 8 - packed up this morning, then went to the Big Parade - down Peel street, about 8 floats, ranging from cops on pushbikes, mini cars, utes, trucks to semi trailers. the thing to have was the semi's trailer decked out with bands and dancers, and often the odd bale of hay.
We had a great time at Tamworth, can recommend it to everyone!!
