Brisbane Trip - Days 15-17 (The Run Home)

Forgive me for not keeping this up to date.

The last three days have been mainly concentrating on the run home, from Yamba on the coast, through to Tamworth and Parkes in Central New South Wales, and on to Echuca, at the Victorian border, and finally home this afternoon.

Key points on the last few days traveling:

Drought

There appears to be a clear delineation of areas impacted by the drought as opposed to areas where rainfall doesn't appear to be an issue. The demarcation appears to be The Great Dividing Range. Anything inland of the Range still seems to be either suffering from drought or not yet recovered from the drought.

Evidence of this includes:

• The signs at our motel in Tamworth discouraging us of overuse of water with penalties for requiring clean towels ($10 per new towel).
• Conversely, the free drinks that were provided for deciding to use their motel and spending money in Tamworth "still trying to survive during the drought"
• The large number of shops and other commercial facilities closed in the towns we either drove through or stayed in.
• The landscape: Dry with empty creek beds. 
• Dust storms. We saw a number of these between Parkes and Echuca, including this one, near Narrandera (according to the ladies in the bakery at Jerilderie, these are a common occurrence):

Tourism

Armidale: Cafes closed after 2pm.
Tamworth: The self proclaimed home for country music in Australia, including this icon:

but also the greatest collection of Bradman memorabilia in Australia (Closed ANZAC Day)

Parkes: The Australian spiritual home of Elvis Presley. And also this:

Jerilderie: The home of the Kelly Gang, Sir John Monash, and Billy Brownless?

 Echuca: Paddle Steamers, 101 cafes and 102 great shops.

Food

Yeah, I'm going to mention one of the most important parts of travelling.

As a general rule, the local bakery will rarely let you down. They will most likely be open when you need them, their locally made pies wil be tasty, and they will provide service with a smile. I have found this to be the case in most of my travels over the years, but particularly in the last few days. Special mentions to the bakeries at Yamba and Jerilderie.

Apart from bakeries most food business seem to attempt to provide great food and great service.  I had already mentioned the Glasshouse restaurant in Tamworth, but top marks to the Star Hotel in Echuca, the Chinese Restaurant in Parkes and the Gold Club in Yamba. An Encouragement Award to Fusspots of Ebor in the tiny town of Ebor.

Total Km 4,230

Total hours behind the wheel 50

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