Les and Pauline's Travels: Dubbo

Sunday, 14 September 2014

Siding Springs Observatory just disappearing

Old grain silo

The cold nights and mornings are a bit of a shock to the system! However, the morning was absolutely superb for driving, so clear and sharp, we were even able to see quite clearly the Siding Springs Observatory in the Warrumbungle’s. The countryside is probably at its best at the moment – so green and plenty of feed. We are still passing through wheat crops, and some canola – all the wheat crops we have seen this year look amazing with extremely even growth. Hopefully the farmers will be happy.

There wasn’t much improvement in the highway today, with plenty of bumps to keep us awake. Not to mention the trucks; thank goodness it is Sunday!!! We had a short stop at Gilgandra before continuing on to Dubbo for our overnight stop. We are at the Big4 Dubbo, not our first visit, and nothing much has changed. We are on a narrow overnight, drive-thru site and luckily we have the end site, so are able to extend our awning. Cat even has his own private beach to play on.

Just needs a bucket and spade

As reception weren’t very helpful with information (a tad defensive about the credit charge surcharge and the security issues of Dubbo, I think), we headed to the Information Centre and a very nice lady gave us some ideas for an afternoon’s sightseeing, also recommended a bakery for lunch. A very nice bakery, actually, with an incredible selection of goods designed to increase waistlines. We were very good and shared an enormous baguette – and a vanilla slice!

What can one say???

Nooses

Padded cell and straight jacket

Anxious to leave

Note the toilet (ie bucket)

The executioner lost his nose after being kicked in the face by a horse

Reminds me of a prison officer ...

Scaffold

"Dump Point" for toilet buckets

Our next stop was the Old Dubbo Gaol, along with a few other tourists. This was a very interesting place, with some good displays, both static and animated, as well as a holographic story about New South Wales chief executioner, who also undertake some work at the gaol. Well worth the visit. Then it was on to the Botanic Gardens, which were tucked behind BigW and surrounded by houses. Although small, the Japanese Garden was well set out and very pretty, as well as a sensory garden. We were probably a month or so too early for the cherry blossom and the wisteria will be lovely later in the season.