After I wrote yesterdays blog we donned our swimming togs and went (in the dark) to the local artesian bore. The water temp is just over 40degC! Lots of people there and all floodlit. Fantastic! (couldn’t stay in too long as too hot)

Another clear, sunny and mild day. Even had a tee shirt on by midday!

After breakfast went to the ‘Chambers of the Black Hand Mine’ an underground attraction where one man who, not doing so well at opal mining, turned his hand to sculpting. There is room after room of spectacular sculpted works. We also got a tour of the mine which was lower than the area where the carvings were done. Back to the surface for a much needed coffee and lunch before embarking on a ‘car door’ tour around Lightning Ridge. There are lots of car doors attached to trees and painted various colours as route markers. Lots of quirky mining leases with all sorts of rusting machinery scattered around the countryside. Then out to a lookout to watch the sun set before a meal at the local bowls club. Note to self: Paul, your body may think it wants battered fish and chips but it really doesn’t want to process it!