2022 - The Knight Travels: 08/04/22

18 (feels like 14) - 26 deg C, quite a tropical morning compared to what we are used to! The wind came back mid morning and was relentless all day, reaching speeds of 67km/h

After breakfast we ventured out to what used to be Colly Farms where cotton and wheat was grown in large quantities. We stopped off at the Carved Trees (see pics for explanation) then went exploring. Wendy found where the house she and her family lived in from 1988-1990, well what was left of it anyway. She also found the Homestead where mum used to cook for the big bosses when they came to see how the place was being run. Not sure if dad had an office or shared one with the other supervisors. We also found what used to be Bucky (Manager) and Robbie's (Bucky's spouse) house - it was the grandest of them all, and still looks pretty good. We were stopped by two different people wanting to know if we were OK, so Wendy told them about living and working here 30 odd years ago. It was sad to see the derelict state of the houses. Even the ones that are still occupied could do with some TLC.

Back to the van for mornos, then we walked back into town to look for the house the Beswicks lived in for a short period whilst the house at the farm was being prepared. As Wendy had only ever visited it once during uni holidays, her memory of it was hazy. But neither were the rest of the family any good; none could even remember the street name, let alone the house number! Oh well, we had a good walk anyway.

Unfortunately poor old Collarenebri has been sadly neglected. Most shops and businesses are not only closed down, but are now boarded up with steel checker plate in an attempt to prevent more vandalism. The Pub, which from the outside looks closed and abandoned, could do with a lick of paint and a sign or two declaring "We Are Open". This may notify some of the many motorists that drive past on the highway outside the door every day that there's cold beer and good honest food available inside. The Police Station, which is manned as required, is an absolute disgrace with weeds and long grass up to chest high in the grounds.

Dogs, dogs and more dogs, everyone seems to have far more than necessary and each one is competing against their neighbour to see who can bark the loudest and longest. We counted seven dogs in one yard, all barking as we walked past. We wondered what the local council do for their rates money? At the same time we saw disadvantage and poverty, there's truck after truck passing by loaded with up to 50 tonne of cotton each, on their way to the nearby cotton gin. We imagined that the growing and processing of so much cotton would provide ample opportunity for employment. That's if you wanted it of course.

Back home for lunch and a rest. The afternoon was spent relaxing, doing exercises and stretches. Dinner was had then it was time to watch our favorite TV show, then bed. We have had a relaxing two days at Collarenebri, and now that it has been seen, there is probably no reason to come back.

Sunrise this morning looked like a raging bush fire

18 bales, each weighing approx 2.8 tonnes, with a 2.3m diameter; John Deer revolutionised cotton picking when they introduced a harvester and a round baler. The cotton is wrapped in plastic film before it is dropped at the end of the field. The special wrap contains electronic sensors on to which information for supply-chain monitoring can be stored. If you're interested in more facts about the machine: John Deere’s round bale harvester has revolutionised cotton harvesting | The Weekly Times (weeklytimesnow.com.au)

Early morning reflections

The free camp is adjacent the Bulldogs oval

The Collymongle Carved Trees. There are nine trees on display, all from a Traditional Aboriginal Borra (or Initiation) Ground near Collarenebri. They were cut down and moved to Collymongle Station about 60 years ago. Until recently, the trees were standing in the garden at Collymongle Homestead.