Forbes, a free-camping experience...

I think Forbes, I think Kathy and Fred.

We were drawn to Forbes by a beautiful lady I treated in Bathurst, original plan was to go to Parkes and then visit Forbes, but it turned out to be the other way around.

A small town but full of great people, like food in a prestige restaurant, quality not quantity. The free camp was by a river, beautiful view however all the sites were opposite the footpath which took away a little bit of our privacy, was not too comfortable hanging out my washing for all walkers to see! Public toilet about 700m and no shower.

After setting up around 4 pm we were sweaty, so hot, ready for a good shower and according to our so essential wiki camps app there was a free hot shower not far, yes! Our van actually has a shower/toilet but because our plan is to sell it when we get back we try to use what’s available and use our facilities on emergencies only, anyway, off we went to this free shower. I should have known this to be too good to be true as it was at a roadhouse, on the side of the freeway and cold water only. It was a little hut behind the house, small, falling apart and full of spiders, unlike Carcoar Dam, they were daddy-long-legs, but there were lots, they were everywhere. Funny to see the boys having a shower together and trying to stay away from the walls which had the spiders, one pushed the other then the other push the other and spiders were going crazy. Well, this is what broke me, from that day on, we used our own shower in the van and it was bliss, how could we have gone so long without it!

On our first day we drove to Weethalle, where the art silo is, I was super excited. I have noticed that it is the only one in NSW and so I had to see it, Victoria on the other hand has many. The drive was worth it, as in the middle of nowhere there it was, amazing piece of art and a clear sky made the photos look stunning, we loved it. On the way back we stopped at a little town called West Wyalong, again, friendly people, great op shop for books.

Back in Forbes, we walked around town and met up with Kathy for a coffee, had a good chat and laugh and left.

Parkes was in the agenda for our second day, not far from Forbes we went to have a look at the “dish”. As we approached it, you can see from the distance, enormous thing.

The visitor area was very well set up, front garden had lots of activities for the kids, like small dish on either side where you can whisper and hear each other, sun dials and interesting enough an apple tree which is meant to be an original cutting from the apple tree in the UK that dropped the apple that hit Isaac Newton on the head….possible?

Inside, again, lots to do. We went to a 3D theatre and saw three short documentaries, one on telescopes, mars and bigger than big, which was about our universe and its relation to everything else in space. That was definately my schooling for that day, very interesting indeed. Finally, last but not least the “dish”, it has been upgraded many times to keep up with today’s technology. We learnt how it was built and its significance during the Apollo 11 launch in 1969, glad we went.

Back home (caravan) as we were planning on leaving the following day, we had a chat to other campers and they suggested I advertise my services as an Osteopath as there are many people, specially so called Grey Nomads who could do with treatment while on the road. I spoke to Kathy about using her printer and putting up some signs on the car.

We met Fred, Kathy’s husband and the unforgettable scruffy (or rather Scooby doo) and coco (dogs). We had the most relaxing time, chatting , kids playing with the dogs, beautiful afternoon, what more can you ask for.

Kindness we have experienced over and over again so far in our trip, kindness from Tracey in Canberra, Di in Wee Jasper, Gary in Bathurst and now from Kathy and Fred. Not only did they make us feel so welcome but gave us eggs, fruit, sausages and the most delicious home made fig and cherry jam which I may add, I had to hide to make it last 3 days. Kindness and beauty can describe our trip so far, my highlight in Forbes.

On the way out of Forbes we stopped at a local orchard, bought a box of freshly picked, handled only once, white plums, nectarines and peaches. What an experience, we picked them up from the sorting shed. Kids have absolutely loved the freshness of fruit which is becoming a little rare in the city.