CR: Reading ~50 books inevitably means the theme of the book chart is outdated by the time it’s completed. This chart’s theme was Game Of Thrones, which we were watching when the chart was designed. Each significant death (up until the point in the series we were up to at to at that time) was a bonus treat. So to avoid spoilers, don’t zoom in! I am particularly proud of this book chart because I have reviewed each of the books recorded on this chart on Mountain Devil. DW: Each little sticker commemorates when I supplied the corresponding treat. The number of books in each book chart varies based on whatever geometry I am inspired to implement. This one is the biggest yet at 58! For reference this was pretty much 1 year of reading since the last one was completed.CR: Driving to Orange begins with a petrol stop in Lithgow. We meet the local crazy, carting around innumerable goats in his tray, which he transports to people’s property as a service to keep weeds down. I express interest in the goat rodeo and he moves to the back of the ute and lifts a tarpaulin that was covering a cage of, in hindsight unsurprisingly, baby goats. The man has a bung eye and has an accompanying unhinged energy. It’s probably time to leave Lithgow. DW: This man was really filling up his tank. He kept on pulling out the nozzle to let more in until it was literally overflowing diesel onto the ground. He gave me a nod when he went past and drove off before realising he forgot to put the cap back on the tank.CR: First stop is Bathurst. Bathurst is a bit too ice-y for Declan’s liking, and that’s not a reflection on the upcoming snow forecast for the region. DW: It’s not too bad. Definitely seen worse.CR: After Declan fills Wobby up with oil, I fill Declan up with sausage roll and cruffin breakfast. DW: I’m burning sausage rolls these days. You’ve got to fill me up every 1000km at least.DW: I keep telling Caitlin getting a cat is a bad idea.CR: I struggle to understand what our $30 entrance fee went to at Bathurst mineral and fossil museum. This museum is mainly a semi-warmed hang space for families with children around the age of three. Exhibits are of varying degrees of authenticity, and vary wildly in terms of origin. A local mineral collection will sit next to a specimen from Peru. I’ll chalk this one up to regional town donation. DW: All museums with impressive dinosaur fossils are actually casts (unless you are the London Museum of Natural History or similar). Don’t be tricked into thinking some random guy in Bathurst found a whole T-Rex in his backyard one day.CR: When we last passed through Bathurst it was on the road trip to Flinders Ranges with James. We didn’t get time then to visit a key local attraction, which Declan and I rectify today. CR: I pester Declan to let me do a loop driving Wobby. My request is met with avoidance and trepidation and is ultimately declined. DW: The racetrack is actually just a weird public road that some people live on. There is the standard 60kph speed limit and a police car parked up that seems like he is just waiting for someone to unleash their inner supercar.CR: We have arrived at Lucknow, which is our destination, at lunchtime. After all this I don’t get a cowhide. Instead, I purchase a kangaroo pelt. Declan will claim I didn’t buy the cowhide because it was too big. But I know the truth. When push comes to shove, it was really too expensive ($500) for a decoration, and also I would have felt like a phony as I have no connection to cows. James promised to pay for half of this for my 30th birthday so he’ll be pleased to know it only cost him $70 instead of $250 when we hear from him again in two years time. This is a big win for James. DW: The cowhide was too big. We explicitly measured the room space before we left and the cowhide would have filled it twice over. It also would have been squashed by the chaise and bookcase. That lack of respect for the hide prevented me from purchasing it. CR: The hide being big only made me want it more. Never listen to a boyfriend on such practical matters, instead listen to the heart.DW: On the way back from Bathurst we make one more small stopover at a little cafe. It’s near closing time and the geese have migrated out of the pond to the assume control over the now empty carpark.DW: Yep. They’re definitely geese.DW: The cafe is actually honey themed. I had a delicious honey milkshake. We were initially undecided on the milkshake as it was unclear if it was just honey flavoured generic syrup, but we were reassured that it also had local honey and house made honeycomb icecream. This was not adequately advertised. Small businesses need Caitlin and me to more effectively guide their marketing strategies.CR: Miso carbonara for dinner (https://cupofjo.com/2023/06/07/quick-dinner-cabbage-carbonara-ish/). Yes Day movie choice was They Shoot Horses, Don’t They. This movie came out in the 60s and has the benefit of being available on YouTube in full for free. I chose this movie because I really enjoyed the book on which it was based. The book was read in this celebrated book chart so I thought it was a fitting movie choice for the evening. Book review: https://www.aerowalsh.com/mountaindevil/?p=772 DW: Yummy pasta. The movie was also interesting and felt tight (being in basically one location for the entire movie). I’d recommend it.CR: Gee, I really got a hiding today. DW: The specific location of the roo skin in end room is still being refined.
Day Two
Yes Day was initially postponed due to scheduling conflicts on Declan’s side. Born from guilt, at one stage Declan said I could have a Yes Weekend. In practice, Declan described this instead as a ‘transition from Yes Day’.
CR: Snow!CR: A snow forecast won’t stop us Blackheath locals from enjoying our monthly markets.DW: Your eyes aren’t deceiving you, that is a regular sized apple. Caitlin is actually just 4m tall today.CR: A weekend classic, bacon and egg roll with cheese and avo from Ray’s. Declan is rocking Leo’s Abercrombie and Kent Antarctica Expedition jacket. I can’t wait for our penguin day trip.CR: Long weekend traffic is no worries for our lane. Smooth sailing to Platform 9 3/4.DW: Today’s afternoon activity was the much anticipated Zig Zag rail. This was half price for locals over the long weekend, but so cold. DW: Over 90 minutes you traverse a total distance of about 4km with 3 stops, 34 whistles, 2 tunnels and 1 happy girlfriend.CR: What this boyfriend is thinking about, we’ll never know for sure. But I guess it’s about how to best avoid the traffic on the drive home.CR: Wisps of steam from the coal-guzzling engine puffing away up front. I put my phone on the line taking the photo. Declan envisages a future where my phone drops from my gloved hands and falls out the train window, never to be seen again.
Good timing with the blog as this was the reason I just called.
Sounds like the goat guy was well suited to his occupation.
Was the sabar tooth tiger party of the museum. Entry price was a bit pricey.
Imagine how many speeding tickets they would issue at the race track. I remember going around it a long time ago and it was much steeper than it appeared on tv.
Enjoying the geese audio.
Tried to check out the links but they didn’t work. Do I have to cut and paste.
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