Day 55 - Moree

Another lovely morning……this is making it very difficult to provide non repetitive adjectives.

Having a park cafe is actually quite rare. This park has one that opens 7 days a week from 8.30 til 8.30 and is very reasonably priced. Toasties from $5 and coffees about the same, so needless to say we indulged.

Into town we headed for the usual……fuel, a little bit of shopping and a sticky beak. We were pleasantly surprised with what was available. The dogs got some well earned exercise at a local park.

Another town with some very poignant tributes to our service men and women.

Graham decided to take a peak at the local gun and hunting store so I followed him in. I happened to advise Graham and the store owner I thought this was my first ever entry into such an establishment, so many of the items and their uses had to be explained to me. Graham purchased a very nice pocket knife.

This foray into local life for Graham and I drew a raft of random comments as we strolled the streets of Moree. Excuse my vernacular but as one local rode by, his only word of encouragement was “poofters”. In my attempt to re establish the local bond, my “Good morning” to the next gentleman was greeted with “F@&$ off. I’ll bash you”. We did agree that judging all Moreeons based on these 2 encounters would be somewhat unfair.

Everyone wandered around looking at what interested them before we met up for lunch.

Mid afternoon and back to the park for a soak in the thermal pools. Casual discussions with fellow bathers revealed many people visit this park every year for the healing powers of the earths offering.

Another very rare sighting of Caravanus Parkus Stewardessus today, although this time the even rarer sight of the male of the species was caught……..although still only capturing the outbound journey.

We had dinner at the local pub which was just a short stroll down the road, where country hospitality did not fail us once again. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their choice.

In keeping with our mantra of interacting with the locals we were given a very warm welcome by Clive who was “born, bred and buttered” right here in town.

The country hospitality extended to changing the channel of the TV near our table to display the preliminary final of the AFL. Pretty special given most of the local support seemed to centre around the NRL.

Half time saw a quick stroll back to the park to continue watching.

I don’t think the content of this travel blog has exuded any controversial sentiment to date……..this may now change.

I now risk invoking the Streisand, or more recently the Sheerin effect.

Being a West Aussie you might expect a display of jubilation and joy at the result of the game. That will not happen. Gail and I (and it appears to be the case with at least one other of our group) have experienced what we have termed EDS (Eagles Derangement Syndrome).

Let me explain -

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, life was different. The Wimbridge house supported both WA teams, with the Eagles being our first choice.

For the international subscribers this is referring to our Aussie pride and joy. Australian Rules Football.

For reasons we cannot explain we witnessed the continual social media bashing of anything Eagles related. It is to be said, this goes both ways, but that was never portrayed from our stance. In the end……our respect for the purple army disappeared.

The fact my Grandfather played for South Melbourne (The Sydney Swans in their former life) also had a bearing on my loyalty for this match.

Grand final night will see us settled in to watch from Parkes.

PS. Today’s photographic album includes a late video of my effort at camp fire lighting 2 days ago in Chinchilla.

PPS. I do hope the rivalry I’ve described, of 2 warrior tribes can be taken with the respect such sporting rivalry deserves.Read more