The Last Leg

The Mitchell Highway from Orange to Sydney via Bathhurst and the Blue Mountains could do with some serious maintenance.  Bumpy, patched and rough, it chicaned through undulating and pretty countryside, passed through small towns, arable farmland and orchards.  We bumped along, stopped in Narromine to look at the statue dedicated to the cricketer Glen McGrath and again in Bilpin, to buy some locally grown apples.

We climbed up one side of the Great Dividing Range, passed through low cloud and the morning chill to descend into the flatter land that took us around the northern suburbs of that great urban sprawl known as Sydney.  We spotted the stately Warratah, the official floral emblem of NSW blooming alongside the road.  Naturally Kim had to stop and take photos and of course with no power assisted brakes, stopping took a lot of heavy footwork on the pedal.

For the first time in weeks we stepped into a real house!  Jillian, who lived next door to us in Brisbane a couple of years ago, had moved to Sydney and we enjoyed catching up with her news over a pleasant and relaxed lunch.  Then it was on to Peter and Katherine, our very good friends from Hong Kong days where we would enjoy not only a traditional G&T or several, but the pleasures of sleeping in a genuine bed.  Luxury! 

Thanks to a loan of Peter’s pressure washer it was time for Vin Rouge to have a thorough wash down and remove the insect cemetery from the front of the vehicle.  It must have made poor old Vin Rouge feel better because the power assisted brakes started to work again shortly after setting off north.  Katherine is a potter.  Her work is well known and she was exhibiting at Artisans in the Gardens.  Judging by the crowds, it was a popular exhibition.  So while Katherine talked to visitors about pottery, we wandered around the Botanic Gardens, stopping to watch the harbour whilst enjoying ice creams.  It made a pleasant change to be tourist for a while.

And of course, Kim found some flowers.

We spent a lovely evening in Tamworth with Lisa, a friend of Kim’s from way back.  Next day we decided to make it back to Brisbane in one hop, arriving as day became night.  We’d stopped to help a chap who’s vehicle had spun off the road but apart from that had a fast run all the way.

Now it’s over.  It’s been an amazing adventure.