Greetings from Narromine,

I got away from home around 7:30 this morning, under leaden skies and persistent rain. By the time I reached Goulburn, the rain had dried to a drizzle; by the time I reached Yass, the rain had ceased, but it was still overcast. I stopped in Yass about 10, with the intention of obtaining a “gourmet” pie, or two, from bakery that I’ve frequented in the past. Much to my chagrin, it was closed. I had to make do with a “generic” pie from a caf’ further up the street, which I consumed with morning coffee at a rest area just outside Yass.

There were myriads of wattles in bloom along the sides, and middle, of the Hume Freeway, and I countered the boredom of freeway driving by noting the different species, and their various hues of yellow, from those with a slight greenish tinge, through to those with hints of orange.

I left the freeway at Bowning, heading along the Burley Griffin Way. The sky was now blue, dotted with small clouds looking like clumps of cotton wool. At Harden-Murrumburrah, I took a minor road to Wombat, where it joined the Olympic Way. At Young, I followed the Henry Lawson Way to Grenfell, where I arrived around 1pm, filled the tank, and grabbed some lunch.

From there, I continued along the Henry Lawson Way to Forbes, where I joined the Newell Highway, heading toward Dubbo, via Parkes. At Tomingley, I left the Newell Highway, taking the Peak Hill Road, to Narrromine.

It was a pleasant drive, after I left the freeway. The countryside was very green, due to various crop plantings, and was frequently swathed in yellow, from what I believe were rapeseed crops in bloom. I arrived at the motel in Narromine about 3:30pm.

Before having dinner in the restaurant, I had a couple of drinks at the bar, chatting with the innkeepers, Dean and Niomi. I stayed here about 2 years ago, one week after they’d arrived to take over the motel; this time it’s one week before they leave! After building up the business here, they’ve sold it, and have bought a motel in Gunnedah.

Today’s trip covered 581 km.

Cheers,
Julian