Bingara 13.10.11

Hello everyone
We arrived at Bingara on Sunday afternoon and promptly started setting up our site.  Our dear friends Doreen and Ken Scott have got the site next to us and they will be arriving tomorrow.
Currently there are about 55 caravanners hers and there will be up to 130 once they all arrive.

We are at the showgrounds and there would be room for about 400 caravans or motorhomes etc here.  It is quite a BIG area.  The showground committee have gone to the trouble of painting the amenity blocks and putting in extra power blocks and water access.  So everyone here, for the next week, will be able to have access.  The towns’ people are very friendly and very welcoming to us as we do our shopping.

Monday

Doreen and Ken arrived just on lunch time.  Darryl and I were in the town getting our groceries and topping up the Moscato supplies  :D J when they rang to say they were not too far out.               

We showed them the way back to the Muster office and got them booked in. Darryl then reversed the van onto the site for Ken.  Ken has been driving trucks all his working life but the backing of the van has got him stumped……..  He’ll get there with practice.  Darryl and I have done quite a bit of parking of the van over the past 16 weeks J J

We attended Happy hour with our nearby neighbours and then we cooked dinner for Doreen and Ken – Pork with Apple in the camp oven and vegies.  Yummmmm

Tuesday
Doreen had to go into the hospital to have a dressing put on her finger. [She had an injury at work and amputated the tip of her left index finger and that is her dominant hand].  They called once finished and we went up and met them at the ‘Batterham Lookout’ which has a great view of Bingara and the community. 

Whilst we were there, the local paper Editor arrived to take a photo of the Showgrounds and found ten of the ACC (Australian Caravan Club) members taking in the same view – so decided to take a photo of us and the showgrounds together.

We all meandered back to the campground and had lunch before heading across to the opening ceremony at 1pm.  This year we are very pleased to have Lionel Mussel in our presence. 

Lionel started the ACC in 2006 and has been quite ill with Cancer and the subsequent treatment.  He doesn’t look too bad for an 80 year old.  This is Ken and Doreen’s first meet with the ACC and they have both commented on how friendly the people are and there is such a welcoming atmosphere.  But of course – we are all doing what we enjoy….. camping and socialising with like-minded people.

We then had a talk about the new Farm Stay programme or FaSt.  This is where members of the ACC can stay on farms of other ACC members for no cost for up to 72 hours.  What a way to get out and see other members and their varied farms and the surrounding countryside.  We have had a demonstration and talk from the local fire brigade about safety whilst vanning which was quite interesting as there have been new rules introduced in NSW about smoke alarms in vans.  Then most of those attending the muster participated in the Boules (Bocce) tournament.  Unfortunately Darryl and I were knocked out in today’s round but Doreen and Ken are through to the quarter finals tomorrow.  Tuesday night we had a talk on household insurance.

Wednesday

Today we made front page of the local paper J Today is also the birthday of our best friend Gloria. 
We then listened to Lionel talk to us about tips, tricks and security whilst travelling Australia.  He has just completed 17,000 kms across the Nullabor, up the west, across the top and down through Qld.
Doreen, Ken and I went into town to get morning tea and some more ‘incahol’ whilst Darryl attended the Fishing tips talk.  He then went for a visit to the local Fish Hatchery.
Doreen and I attended the talk on ‘Computers on the road’ and all the different computer media that is now available.  We then gathered at 4pm for the Boules quarter finals.  Unfortunately Doreen and Ken were knocked out in this round – so we headed back to the van where Darryl was busily making three batches of scones for Happy hour – with jam and cream please……  they went down a treat with all those sitting around playing ‘KLOP’ in our happy hour.  [Klop is a Finnish game and is really quite fun.  Can take up to 2 hours to complete a game when lots are participating] Instead of going to Charades tonight we sat in Doreen and Ken’s van and did some surfing on the net and showing Doreen how to crop and adjust photos.
Into bed by 9.30 but boy an I stuffed  :D :0 J

Thursday

This morning we had breakfast cooked for us by Ken and Doreen. Very nice indeed.
We then headed out to the free camping areas along the Gwydir River here at Bingara.  Lots of lovely parks right down on the river and all supported by the council.
When we returned I had a terrible headache and my knee was really starting to ache.  I sent Darryl off to do the washing J and I had a nap – 2 hours later I woke up – feeling much better.
Tonight we have a ‘hamburger’ dinner and then some live music from 8pm.  Should be good.  The past three days have been absolutely glorious and this afternoon we are starting to get some cloud cover and the breeze is picking up to a wind………

We will be at Bingara until next Tuesday morning and then heading to Glen Innes to see our friends Ian and Maryanne.  We SHOULD be home by the 21^st October.