We stayed at a nice campsite just out of town in Bourke but after a long day of driving we all crashed pretty early that night. After having a few busy days we all enjoyed a lazy morning the next morning and didn’t get up to much. Oli was keen to try out the pick axe he was given by his grandfather – it was John’s fist “geological hammer” from his early days as a geologist and he gave it to Oli for his eighth birthday. The big bank of dirt on the edge of the campground was the perfect spot. Soon all the kids were over there digging, building and generally just doing what kids do best – having fun in the dirt!
That evening we headed to the banks of the Darling river for sunset and enjoyed some drinks and nibbles while the kids continued their geological exploits. The riverside setting, with gums lining the banks, was so peaceful – a far cry from what it had apparently been back in the pioneering days where paddle steamers were the main mode of transport for wool and other cargo from inland NSW to the bigger transport hubs.
Wide open spaces 