A fairly quick pack up around the house and then into Narrandera. We didn't stop there, but did head out to look at the lake across the road to Barellan. From the number of cars coming towards us the road was now open, although the spread of water across this area which was dry 2 years ago is most impressive.
Back to the highway and off to Grong grong. This name apparently means "poor campground" in the language of the local indienous people.
As we drove up the main drag we noticed a Memorial Hall. Despite the absence of this town from the Register of War Memorials there was one front and centre. In the image it is just visible as a black line in the doorway.
While looking at this I thought I heard a muzzein. Hang on, it isn't Friday and the mullah rarely refers to cowgirls (or barrel racing). Yep we were just down the road from the Rodeo which kicked off at 8am. Everyone seemed to be having a good time
I think the latter image should be titled "Homage to
Thelwell" for any Pom readers!
Some of the cattle seemed to have been dissed more than somewhat by a small dog.
We also checked out the cemetery. The most interest there was the way many of the graves had been rebuilt well after the interment they represented.
After taking a few snaps we headed into Ganmain. Looking for War Memorials we found our way to St Brendan's Church. While I went inside
looking for the memorial Father Mark spoke to Frances and then showed us where the memorial was. He then explained that a lot of the woodwork in the sanctuary had just been upgraded by a craftsman, using River Red Gum. Father Mark was himself a craftsman making rosaries out of fly-fishing kit! A great bloke and we wish him well in his job.
There were a few interesting shopfronts in the main street of Ganmain.
On the way into Coolamon we checked out a patch of Callitris woodland beside the road. A few interesting plants as well as an infestation of Opuntia. Carrying on down the road we passed by the village of Manaar where we couldn't find a memorial, but did find this interesting mural.
Coolamon was fascinating with a main street containing a range of historic buildings with a park in the middle. My favourite building was the offices of a legal firm making much of it's century of work - under various names - for the litigation enthused members of the community.
It is instructive to compare this sign with the one for the
same flour product in Yenda yesterday.
Junee was quite good, once we got by having to wait twice for a monster train (I think of grain trucks) to go through crossings. At the first crossing the gates were dysfunctional so they had reverted to fleshware to hold up the cars.
We did a historic walk
When was the last time you saw a 2c coin?
and thought we'd extend it a tad and check St Lukes Anglican Church for memorials. A couple of ladies were doing some work in the community centre adjoining the church and one of them offered to let me in to see the Honour rolls in the Church. These are not in the Register but hopefully will be soon: many thanks nice lady!
Then merely roll on down the road for a couple of hours (plus a bit) and home. Feeling knackered!
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