Dubbo

 Wednesday

On our way to the Zoo we stopped in at the Tourist Office. As we got out of the car Michael thought the rear tire was looking a little flat. On checking it was only at 20psi, so it was around to the tire shop where they found a nail and fixed it promptly. 

We had a great day at the zoo, although having seen many of these animals in the wilds of Kenya a few years back, took the shine off for me. We were both taken with the cuteness of the meerkats, who were a lot smaller than I realised. We did a fair bit of walking before having a snack where Michael demonstrated his bird whispering skills again...although Apostlebirds don’t need a lot of encouragement. 

Hearing the lion roar gave us a good understanding of the fear they would strike in the heart on a dark night in the bush. Overall I think the zoo is very well done and it is a great idea to have such a facility outside the big cities.

Back on the farm there was time for a wander round the grounds, and watch the full moon rising, before another delicious meal...but no whiskey tonight!

Thursday

Before leaving Dubbo behind we paid a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience. It only opened about 12months ago and has many interactive experiences. We spent a couple of hours there and Michael bought a new hat, which seemed more suitable for the ‘country experience’ than his straw boater.

Our next stop was a wander in the streets of Gilgandra. The wall art/ statue commemorate the Coo-ee Recruitment March which left the area on October 10th 1915 to enlist. The group was comprised of 25 men and a commanding officer, and collected an additional 10 men on the way.

One of my birding buddies had given me a heads-up on the Gilgandra Native Flora Reserve, 14kms north of town so we pulled in there for lunch. It covers 21acres and was donated by 2 different families in 1963. It is now maintained by volunteers and has picnic tables and toilets. Although I saw a few birds I think we were about 2 weeks early. Many of the plants were covered in buds which will be in full flower by then. (White-winged triller (female) and Jacky Winter)



From here it was a short drive to Tooraweenah for the night. A friendly caravan park that has nightly campfire and snacks, which we attended, before heading to the local pub for dinner.

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