Day 3

 22/08/22

Yesterday, drove on the very bumpy road to St George,  arriving at 1.00.

Ian had another go at fixing the door, with a little help from the guy in the van next to us, followed by Alan, the marvellous park manager, who wouldn't accept anything for his hour-long help. Ian and I kept trying after both our assistants had tried their best, and managed to get it working except for the top bit on the door. I suggested we stop while we were ahead, but Ian reckoned he could get it all working. No joy (at all!). We're now back to square one and will get an expert to fix it in  Broken Hill.

We had a good trip today on a good, well-made road, stopping for our usual 10.00 brunch in the delightful roadside park at Dirranbandi. We had our own breakfast and coffee, so (regretfully) didn't take advantage of the iconic bakery and coffee shop where the locals stop for their morning tea.

B

Off again, we joined the 'caravan caravan' and arrived in Lightning Ridge right on noon. We went for a look-see around the town, stocked up on a couple (ie a few) things from the fantastic hardware/discount store, popped in and quickly out of an opal shop when we saw the prices of even tiny ones, bought a John Murray print from his studio and wished we were rich enough to indulge in another photographic glass print,  and were finally persuaded to buy me a pair of tiny, and probably quite inferior, opal ear-rings at another opal store.

 Back to the van for an afternoon cuppa and then we were treated to the hilarious outback poet/comedians , Susie and Mel, who travel the country with their show. So lucky to have chosen the Big 4 caravan park, who provided the show for free.

A longer day tomorrow to Cobar where we'll stay two nights for a bit of a break from driving.

As an aside, with all the door drama at home before we left, I forgot to bring my Stemetil injections in case of a Meniere's attack, but thanks to the miracle of today's technology, I rang my doctor, who is faxing a script to a chemist in Broken Hill and I'll pick up some from there.