12. Weekend Coffee Catch Up

Hello and welcome to coffee, G & T, cuppa tea or hot cocoa. I’m having a G & T and happy to share along with you what’s been happening in my week. Before we crack on with our week’s let me say that once again I’m joining others to share our week on Natalie’s blog hop;  you can find others on the link on Natalie’s blog.

We’re back on the road in our New Age caravan, towed by Old Faithful – Holden Colorado. We have our e-bikes on board and three weeks in which to follow tumbleweeds, gather memories and revisit some of our favourite camping haunts and discover new sites.

Our favourite camping spot: a free 72-hour stop on the shores of Lake Wyngan, NSW, Australia.

We have travelled a grand total of 480km since we left home 10 days ago. So you can tell, we aren’t in any hurry to get from A to B, rather enjoying where we are each evening. When you rediscover sites previously visited and remember what it is about them you loved, it’s easy to be still, relax and enjoy the solitude of being the only campers in however many hectacres the camp area covers.

View over the town of Griffiths from the Hermit’s Cave

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you about our big bike ride yesterday when we cycled into the town of Griffiths from our campsite at the lake. The breeze helped keep us cool in what could have been an uncomfortable ride in 35C. Griffiths, a town with 27, 000 people, has a strong Italian heritage reflected in the patisseries, pizza and pasta restaurants and of course cafes serving pastries and coffee Italian style.

Before cycling home again on the new cycle and walkway from town to lake, we spent some happy hours at the swim centre that was not crowded, surprising given the heat.

Over the coffee cups, I’d tell you of the Hermit Cave we visited this morning. The story goes Valeri Ricotti, a disillusioned Itakian immigrant, found the caves set on a sandstone outcrop above the town, where he spent fifteen years as a recluse.

Sandstone window from one of the rooms in the Hermit Cave System

Hermit’s Caves

View from the “Church” cave

If we were having coffee I’d tell you that tonight we’re camped at the Barellan Showgrounds along with a group of Clydesdale horses. They’re tame enough to approach hoping for a carrot or apple. Unfortunately, we had neither to offer but they posed anyway.

Before he realises there is no apple or carrot

We move on tomorrow headed towards the next small town in the lush area of the Riverina. Beyond that who knows but one thing I can say: It’s a great life and things don’t get much better than having the freedom to roam such a beautiful country.

Carrot and Apple disappointment

Barellan Showgrounds camping with the Clydesdales

It’s been a long time since we sat together but today I’d tell you that a couple of months ago we placed our house on the market; now have an offer to purchase. The decision to sell and move was tinged with regrets that we have to leave what was once such a place of happiness and joy. It’s taken a while but we have come to terms that this was perhaps a stepping stone. We are now excited about the next adventure and looking forward to being on the road again.

How has your week been, or I should probably ask how the past six months have been for you since we last caught up over the coffee cups?