Ah – a sleep in, leisurely shower and breakfast, and no Forest of Doom to be worried about. Ilze didn’t come to Millthorpe last time we were here, so we took her on a sightseeing tour of the area – Lake Canobolas, then Mount Canobolas, with its extensive views over the Western Plains. At over 1300 metres, it’s the highest point between Sydney and Perth. The view was hazy, but there are lovely snowgums up at the top.
Morning tea was in Millthorpe, a quiet, small historic village with quaint gift shops and galleries to poke around in. Which we did. At a very leisurely pace.
Home for lunch. Afternoon on the verandah, drinks in hand, watching the sheep and lambs. More drinks at Helen’s to celebrate her 83rd birthday. How many orienteers can you fit into a small self contained apartment? Answer: lots (don’t worry, all within the covid rules). Dinner and bed.
We woke up this morning to our 7th day of cloudless sky and sunshine. It was the Orange City Sprint, in the Botanic Gardens at the northern end of town. This was the first of several “follow on” events, and the only one that we were doing, as we head for home tomorrow. It was very casual – just turn up and start when ready. I’d entered the Medium course, at 3.3 km.
It was all within the gardens, and there was lots of direction changes, twists and turns, as controls were hidden along tiny garden paths, in corners beside ornamental ponds, and on seats tucked away under rose trellises. All lovely stuff and good fun. Though it was a bit disconcerting to find that the control descriptions were printed right on the edge of the map, and the numbers had slipped off the edge – resulting in looking for seats when it should have been fences, etc. I was also surprised to see my 3.3 k course was completed in 2.7km – huh? Clearly some issues with the map scale. But no harm done, it was a great area for a sprint, tested our brains and gave us a nice low key way to wrap up the week away.
Later, dark clouds rolled in and we sat on the verandah with a spectacular sound and light display, as thunder rolled and lightning blazed across the sky.
In the morning it was back to brilliant blue skies. We packed up, baaahhed farewell to the sheep, and hit the road for the long drive home.
The countdown is on till the next trip to South Australia later this month.
dipidydoo 