Bon jour from Bourke,

I left Griffith at 7:30, heading north along the Kidman Way (which I was to follow all the way to my destination). It was 4 degrees, and foggy. The fog persisted until Hillston, where I arrived at 8:45, filled up the tank, and visited the bakery.

I stopped for morning coffee at 9:25, at a rest area some 50 odd km beyond Hillston, beside the Lachlan River.

Soon after alighting from the car, a half dozen or so small birds were hopping around at my feet, no doubt expecting a feed. I spared them a few crumbs from a Cheese and Bacon Roll.

I was on my way again at 9:50, but after an hour I found myself yawning, so I decided to stop for another break at 11:00. This time I had the company of a grey nomad, who came over for a chat. I managed to escape from him about 11:15.

I arrived in Cobar at 12:30, headed for the bakery, and consumed a chicken wrap at a table in a small park down one of the side streets. I departed on the last leg at 13:05, and arrived at my motel at 2:30. There was no one at reception, so I sat on the verandah to wait. Another guest, name Graham, who had also been waiting, in his car, came over with a six-pack of Carlsberg, and struck up a conversation. The innkeeperess (who everyone calls “Possum”) came back (from grocery shopping) at about 3:30, and we were able to get into our rooms.

I arranged to meet Graham in the bar at 6, and return the “shout” for the beers. Dinner was at 7; there was no choice about that. There was no menu, but rather a choice from only two dishes. There were no separate tables; the dozen or so guests were all seated at the one table. It was a bloody excellent night, and I staggered back to my room at 9:30!

I found out during the evening that the motel did in fact have (free) wireless internet access; it’s just not listed in their directory of services. However, by then, I wasn’t in the mood for typing in my trip notes.

I covered 543 km today; here’s the route map:

Cheers,
Julian