Monday - 9th July

After a leisurely final packing we set off north.  Our first stop was Mooroopna and the excellent Ardmona Factory Outlet were we stocked up a variety of food and other supplies before lunching at the Bakery across the road.  Back on the road, we headed for Hay and set up camp at Sandy Point on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.  The signs warned against all kinds of activities and dangers.  It was fairly damp underfoot but the weather was very clear.  After dinner we joined some fellow campers around a campfire.

Tuesday - 10th July

It was very cold over night so we on our walk around Hay this morning we bought a gas heater that will take the edge off the chill.  Hay is a nice old town with some beautiful municipal buildings.  We left Hay and headed across to Goolgowi, then up the Kidman Way heading for an overnight at Cobar.  We stopped at the Black Stump Hotel for a counter lunch but cook was off and so were the counter lunches.   Instead I had a substantial mixed grill at the Club House Hotel in Hillston.  The flat land stretching to the horizon is a lush emerald green thanks to the recent rains.  Somewhat at odds with the usual image of red sandy plains.  We arrived in Cobar and contemplated spending the night at the rest area at the edge of town but the presence of a group of young locals leaning against a ute suggested that we should look for alternative accommodation, we called at the very helpful and friendly Information Centre and were referred to the local caravan park. The Cobar Caravan Park is quite pleasant with wide grassy sites.  It was almost full when we checked in and we got the last powered site.