UPDATE

Friday 2nd May

beautiful drive

What a great day.  Cold night and nippy morning to start, then a look around Gulgong before heading off to Hill End.  Very very nippy when we left the car first stop at Hill End.  heavy coats on and a walk around town, plus my ever ready camera.  Lots of historic sites, quite a few old buildings, some restored and a lot not.  There is a pottery place here, so of course, we had to visit it.  But even though the sign said Open, there wasn't anyone around.  BUGGER.  

Hill End

Next was a drive up the mountain to a lookout , overlooking the site of all the mines in the side of the hill.  One small area around 24 mines noted.  Very pretty town, probably the best time to visit as all the trees turning Autumn colours.  On the drive to Sofala saw a flock of merino sheep with their little coats on.  It looked strange, dogs, cats, horses, but I've never seen a sheep with a coat on.  Sofala is a disappointment compared to Hill End.  Very scrappy and run down.  Wouldn't bother to visit again.  Tonight camped beside Turon River, possibly stay another night and try fork gold with metal detector and panning.  Here's fingers crossed.  Sitting beside a lovely fire, sipping wine and watching our tea cook in the camp oven.

camp fire at Turon River

main street Hill End

Turon River, 6ks east of Sofala

driving between Bathurst and Cowra

 SATURDAY 3RD May

All plans for today, Saturday, have changed.  It started raining during the night and we woke to a cold wet day.  So much for looking for gold.  Have checked the weather and it was to range between 3-4 degrees and I believe it.  It has been bitter.  Now 2.30pm't  and it's been raining on and off all day.  Too cold to venture outside the van, thank goodness for our iPads and the books I loaded up.  We wont be having a fire tonite, besides wet wood, too bloody cold.  Shall organise ourselves during breaks in rain ready for an early morning departure because it's supposed to  rain tomorrow and as cold.  One of our neighbours told us it snowed last night about 10 ks down the road.  Few of the vans have left this morning and now there is a few new ones.  Such a pretty spot, shame about the4 weather.  6.30pm tea over and in bed already.  Another change of plans, a very friendly neighbour helped light our fire with a spade full of hot coals because it hasn't rained for a while, so we were able to use the camp oven again for another yummy meal.

4th May SUNDAY

Another cold morning, thank goodness not as cold as day before.  An early start to head to Bathurst, Blayney, Cowra, Young, Temora and an overnight at Mirrool.  As we drove through the Blayney area the temperature dropped back down to 6 degrees.  BRRRRR.  We stopped at Mirrool about 2 years ago beside the old pub and enjoyed strolling across the road, yarning with the locals and enjoying a coldie.  Unfortunately, the pub closed a month ago  .  The pub is on the market $220,000 walk in walk out and has been fully renovated inside.  A lovely community keep the amenities (toilets and hot showers( spotlessly clean) recommend it to anyone travelling through this area.  

the pub at Mirrool

Silos at Mirrool, they hold a Silo Kick every October,
kick an AFL football over the silos.