Today, Thursday, we had another slow start as both Prue and I have developed cold like symptoms. No, we do not have ‘Swine flu’ not yet anyway. So we are trying to find something more than red wine to counteract the symptoms! Today has been windy and cold in the wind

Some housekeeping was in order today as tomorrow we must leave our wonderful hosts, Kelvin and Vennetia, for a further leg westward into the southern start of the Flinders Ranges. Water has been topped on the Karavan, some groceries acquired in one of the shopping centres, washing of clothes done and dried and the Bravo refuelled at Woolworths Discount fuel which worked out at $1.13 per litre.

We then visited Bush and Beyond Gallery and view work by Wendy Martin and Ian Lewis along with other artists. There was some very nice work there along with a variety of metal sculptures especially of motorised vehicles. A lot of work has gone into them.

Then we had lunch at the Cafe Alfresco on the main street in Broken Hill after that we decided to refuel the Bravo before coming back to the van.

Later in the afternoon Kelvin and Vennetia took us out to the Broken Hill Sculptures. One has to pay a deposit of $25 on a key to gain access to the “Sculpture Symposium”. What a display of work in really hard sandstone. It has to be seen to be appreciated the photos really do not do it justice. Once the sun had set and dropped well below the horizon, we returned to Kelvin and Vennetia’s home.

A short time later we then went out for dinner at the Southern Cross Bistro. This is a nice place to have dinner and relax after such view of the sunset and sculptures.

So our time in Broken Hill is coming to an end. We have seen and learnt a lot about this incredible place. To those of you that have not been here, you should come to experience the atmosphere of this area. We have been so lucky to have our friends, Kelvin and Vennetia, show us around. The art is such a variety of styles and the scenery is marvellous, along with the history.

Today, Wednesday, we had a quieter day as we really had been on the go since arriving. The morning started a little cooler and as the day wore on the wind built up and so did the red dust. By nightfall the wind had decreased but so had the temperature. It is winter!

We took things easily with Prue and Vennetia attempting to put together a Pro Hart jigsaw puzzle they had started last night. They have progressed a little in this 750 piece jigsaw. I do not have the patience.

Kelvin and I chatted about many things especially the stories from my past job as a District Emergency Management Officer and Kelvin’s role in that position based in Broken Hill. He looks after at least half of the land mass of the state of NSW. His role and my former role were similar but there a major distance issues out here as well as the isolation.

We had a very casual easy lunch of local pies and pasties. This was a very nice and a change from our regular on road diet of soup.

After our lunch we visited the Gallery of Julie Hart-Willoughby, daughter of Pro Hart. Apparently she is the only one of her family that has talents that her father had. She is a very capable artist, producing not only similar works to her father but also her own style of painting.

While at the Julie Hart-Willoughby Gallery, a lady there spoke to me as she recognised me from long ago. This is another one of my former Cathundral Pony Club fellow members. Actually, in 2001 while I was on the NSW Big Bike Ride from Oberon to Forbes, she also recognised me in her current home town of Cumnock. I suppose someone had to pop up that I know. Who will be next, I wonder?

Next we moved to a most amazing White’s Art Gallery and Mining Museum. Kevin White was a miner for around 26 years so has a wonderful knowledge of the processes of mining in Broken Hill. When we arrived he explained how the various types of timber were used in the mines, with their pluses and minuses, then the current method of stabilising the mine. He explained various tools and methods of lighting that were used in the mines. We watched a video of the whole process. Then we looked at his amazing art works. Only local and regional minerals are used for his work. He grinds them down from small rocks into useable fine material. He mixes them to achieve the colour and shading desired. All the minerals are glued down to the back ground. be .

While at that Gallery, we also saw Betty Whites very large collection of dolls. She not only makes up the porcelain dolls but also dresses each one. She is also into making teddy bears. She also collects dolls from many eras, too. She has a collection of over 800 dolls and a large number of teddy bears.

When we left the Gallery, we then went to Bells Milk Bar and Museum for some refreshments from a time now past. Milkshakes of various flavours along with waffles were had by us. A wander through the cafe museum brought back memories of the past. Old items that once were the working machines in cafes, like the old milkshake mixers, juicers and many other items. Stories of well known cafes from the past, adorn the walls.

So our day ended with another night quietly with our friends although Kelvin had gone out to play competition tennis. Prue and Vennetia still working on the Pro Hart jigsaw.