If only the people a few doors down from me in the motel had not decided to leave the TV on all night. So having had less sleep than hoped for, I left at sunrise and headed south. First stop - a hike in the bush to a spot where perhaps thousands of years ago aboriginal tribes had left their mark - hand paintings on rock faces. On the way there I saw my first wild kangaroo. Or wallaby - I'm not sure; I'll have to ask. But I have a blurry photograph to prove it. I also have photographic evidence of what happens to kangaroos that come into contact with cars. It's not very pretty.

The hiking to "The Drip" (as the site is called, on account of the erosion of the river gorge) was fascinating. The early morning sun brought out the peculiar colours of the rock strata and assorted lichens.

Then on to the small town (or large village) of Gulgong. The main attractions are 'wild west' looking 100 year old buildings that feature on the Aus $10 note, and a 'pioneer museum' with artefacts, buildings and vehicles from the first 150 years of Australia's history. Lucky me - right across the road was the Gulgong RSL club who as ever were very welcoming, and where I had a great Sunday lunch.

Unfortunately the final movement was not so harmonious. Mudgee on a Sunday afternoon is not the best place to be as a tourist. So I chose not to be, and headed home. On the way I had a surreal cockatoo experience. Some may say most cockatoo experiences are likely to be on the surreal side. Mine: I stopped in roadworks on the Western Highway near Katoomba (in the Blue Mountains) right next to some sort of flowering bush that was full of big white birds with headcrests and 'attitude'. I normally only see cockatoos in single units, in birdcages or zoos. I don't expect to see a wall of beady pink cockatoo 'evil eyes' mere meters from moi. Having said that I was unsettled, to judge by the look Johnny Cockatoo (x 20) was giving me, they were just as surprised to see a Brit in a red Toyota gawping at them right here on a Sunday afternoon. So basically, it all comes down to a question of perspective.