We set off in convoy at 10am Monday 18th February to head to our first stop and overnight camp at Holbrook 159kms from home. When we arrived at Holbrook and pulled into the park we had booked for the night we were very disappointed. it was not looked after very well at all and looked so depressing that we decided to ring Tumut and see if we could come a day early. There was no problem so we went to the submarine park for lunch- It was swarming with school children, but we managed to find a spot in the shade. had our lunch and then began the 136km to Tumut. On the way we were bombarded with a few drops of rain and an almighty dust storm. We finally arrived and we just loved the caravan park and the view from our sites. You can see the view we have on the cover photo for this blog. It is so lovely here. Little wrens hop around under your chair looking for food as do a couple of ducks. We are also loving seeing the ducks swimming on the river which is running very fast and they are having a ball riding fast down the river with no effort on their part.

Today, 19th February, we walked to the shops for a look and to buy some more supplies. then we came back and talked about what we will do tomorrow, We decided that we would go to the Yarrangobilly Caves. Ross and Bruce washed the cars which were covered in dust.

Wednesday 20th February

What a great day! Started off at 9am in Bruce's car. 70kms the sign said to Yarrangobilly Caves. We stopped off at the Black Perry lookout which was spectacular. Then on to the caves and the 10.30 am guided tour of The Jersey Cave. Our guide's name was Regina and she was a very knowledgable and entertaining lady. We were a small group of 10 people so it was easy to hear her explanantions of how the formations were made over hundreds of years. Most things she told us, she would end with "But you already knew that, didn't you" There were two hundred steps to navigate in the cave but we managed very well. After the tour we found somewhere nice to eat the picnic lunches we had brought with us. Then we went to the thermal pool. which was 700 metre away down a very steep gravel pathway. it was supposed to be 27c in the pool but it was was quite cool, The walk back up the path was a very slow and tedious one with many stops so that I could catch my breath. It was a great relief to see the car. We had Maccas for tea and early to bed after a great day.

Thursday 21st February

Today was a day of relaxation, looking at the shops and sight seeing.

This morning we visited Blowering dam. We thought that visiting a dam would mean that we would be greeted with green grass all around but unfortunately it was very dry. This was a sightseeing trip that interested Bruce and Ross more than the Sue or me. The dam wall was very big and the we wondered on the technology that would make something like this. We found a park with tables and seats with shade so we shared our morning tea with the several magpies who came to visit and sang for us so we could feed then something. We then drove back to the van park for lunch. In the evening we went to the bowls club for a smorgasbord tea of mostly Chinese food and after a little play on the pokies came home for an early night.

Friday 22nd February

Today we drove out to an advertised African Violet farm to have a look but it was closed for the day so we were quite disappointed. Then we drove to Adelong to see the ruins of an old gold mine. What a surprise that was! We could view the old mine from a lookout and it was spectacular. Check out the photos which have been added to the album. The photos don't do it justice. We had morning tea. Looked around the town which it appears only comes alive on weekends. Ross bought a Lotto ticket there as a local Adelong couple won the Saturday Lotto last Saturday. We had a quick look at the museum and back to the park for the afternoon.

PS Lighning obviously does not strike twice in this case as the ticket ross bought in Lotto did not win asingle brass rarzoo.

It has been a wonderful five days with Bruce and Sue with many thanks to Bruce who did the bulk of the driving for sightseeing. Tomorrow Bruce and Sue go home to Mulwala and Ross and I go to South West Rocks to visit Jan and Barry for a couple of days. We should be home in the not too distant future unless there are some interesting things to stop for along the way.