Day 9

Monday

A day out in downtown Moree beckoned so we ventured forth. We parked in a side street and as we headed toward the main block we passed the local art gallery and found that the 2019 travelling Archibald Exhibition was currently showing so in we went. As usual I found I liked most of the non-winners more than I liked the actual winner. The 4 below were my favourites and I especially liked the way the "Girl in the Pearl Earring"inspired work was displayed. It was the lone work in what had been the darkened bank vault, very striking.

Then it was time for some exercise..but only as far as the nearest coffee shop, before a stroll around the vicinity. The town has a scattering of wall murals and a pleasant trellissed main street.
After that we felt the need for a bit of exercise so we followed Bird Walk No. 1, a 2km circuit  which started at the tourist centre. The Moree Town Walk took us along the rivers edge through both Parkland and Woodland. At one end we found the Botannic Gardens...if you look carefully at the picture you will find Michael waiting patiently while I wander around with my binoculars. There were a variety of birds, with the only one unfamiliar to me being the White-plumed Honeyeater. I think it is the inland's answer to our coastal Lewin's Honeyeater ie very common.

After the walk we felt we had earned some lunch so we decided to stop at the Amaroo Pub near the van park. Michael's interest had been piqued by a large plane parked at the front. Judging by the decals on the outside it had been used in New Guinea at some point. It was a DC3 opened in 1994 as a tourist attraction and it is possible to explore the interior which we did after lunch. I am very grateful that we are not required to fly in this kind of "comfort" these days!
We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing before enjoying another soak in the Thermal Pools.

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