Another road trip for son's kart racing. This time to Griffith for the Casella Wines Yellowtail Cup ... son is hoping for a better result than last year.

Husband has apologised in advance for the boring drive which is apparently worse than crossing the Hay Plain! Son is already watching a movie and we haven't even left the A.C.T yet. I have been banned from joining him on the backseat to watch movies.

After a quick stop at Harden we continued out through Temora towards Griffith. The drive isn't so bad, although the 37 kilometre long straight was a bit boring. This is definite grain belt country, all of which had recently been harvested. Although there were some very big tractors with the biggest plough attachments I've ever seen working the paddocks. Several small towns (settlements really) we passed through were obviously stockpile points for grain transport via rail.

Further along Burley Griffin Way (the name of the road) we pass through Temora and then towards Ariah Park. Ariah Park according to the town sign is home of "wowsers, bowsers and peppercorn trees" ... WTF. Ardlethan closer to Griffith is "home of the kelpie" and Barellan boasts a huge tennis racket in honour of Yvonne Goolagong. Gets me thinking about photography ideas for the return trip if I can convince the driver to stop long enough.

We start coming into vineyards at Yenda just outside Griffith and there are plenty of citrus fruit orchards beside the road as well. None with roadside stalls so no fresh fruit.

The boys didn't lie about the bindies and burs at the kart track - they're huge and easily puncture the tyres on kart trollies as well as the soles of my shoes! Beware walking barefoot.

Our room at The Grand Motel faces directly onto the main street of Griffith. The room acoustics don't dampen the traffic noise and with an apparent lack of anything else to do on a Friday or Saturday night the locals cruise (okay drag) down the main street with music blaring. We heard it all.

There are plenty of Italian restaurants and cafes within easy walking distance of the hotel and we pick the Belvedere Pizzeria and Cafe for dinner. Can't fault the meals we were served and the service was excellent. The homemade gelatti looked excellent but we were too full to sample any.

The return drive along Burley Griffin Way is rougher than the trip to Griffith and by the time we have reached Barellan my sides are already hurting. Can't work it out, it is the same bitumen road. More rest stops on the return journey to give our sides and backs a rest.

Until next time so long Griffith.