Struct by Lightning ridge!

Its funny how life takes you through a certain path….Lightning Ridge was never in our itinerary, original plan was to go up through Moree, following the artesian bore baths as we are suckers for those hot baths. Lightning Ridge was first mentioned while we were in Ophir, a gentlemen called Denis and his nephew Beau came by the river and after having a chat about gold he mentioned black opal, unique to Lightning Ridge, as a matter of fact, you can only find black opal in Lightning Ridge, no other place in the WORLD has it, quite amazing if you ask me. As we kept travelling north, more and more people recommended we stop by Lightning Ridge and it was at Gulargambone that we were told we MUST go to Lightning Ridge and so we did and so that's where life was taking us and we couldn’t say no.

Lightning Ridge was definitely meant to be, not far from Pilliga we came across a road that changed from tar to dirt, so, to be safe, I got out and went to the police station to ask about the condition of the road, unfortunately or fortunately there was no one at the police station (yes, no one!) but I just managed to catch a glimpse of a Telstra man walking through the bush, that is the moment we met Alf.

ALF

After talking to him for a while, he came over to the car and10 minutes later he recommended which road to take and where to stay in Lightning Ridge, that is, at Lightning Ridge tourist park (his son’s Bea and wife Belinda caravan park) , they will look after you he said and finished by offering to take us around Lightning Ridge the following day as it was his day off. We couldn't believe how nice he was, just met us, and offered to take us around, also once again life was taking us a different path, we were recommended another caravan park however we decided to follow orders and go to the one Alf suggested, and just like that, the beginning of the most amazing, memorable time at Lightning Ridge.

Meeting Alf (or Alfie if you like) was like meeting the whole town, he just about knows everyone, he makes sure to always say hi, by their name of course. As director of the bowling club, we spent a lot of the time at there, he made us feel part of the family, lots of laughs over drinks, we took part of the daily raffles which I am proud to say we won 3, a meat platter and two fruit ones, kids had free wifi but also it was air conditioned and I tell you what, Lightning Ridge has been the hottest town we have visited so far, every night I prayed that my little air conditioner didn’t die as it was working hard and over time.

Back to Alfie, he took us to see a working mine, which was a great hands on experience and we met one of his friends who is one of the very few miners that have been successful in mining opal, what a character ! We went to his house and it was not palace, you would think that someone so successful would live in a mansion, he lives in an everyday house, his shirt dirty from the mine, with a couple of holes and he had some of the most interesting stories we have ever heard. He casually took out some black opal to show us, you know, just happened to have some lying around and it was just stunning, the colours bright and unique with the black backing, never seen anything like it in my life. We all ignored my sons Josh continuing request to have one, and Noah's constant interest on how much it was worth!

We all need to take a leaf from Alf’s book, he is so proud of Lightning Ridge, he has done so much to keep it going, including fighting to get a high school in town, he is never too busy to come over and greet you, in fact, I know he loves sneaking out for a cuppa and a chat during work here and there....is your kettle on? he asks....will be right there..... but above all, he genuinely takes time and wants to know you, and help you, if he can. I’ve come to realise that us city people are so engrossed in our own lives, our work, bills, dramas that we consciously or unconsciously ignore the people around us and if we do commit to something, it usually becomes a chore because it has added to the 101 other things in the list we have to do already, so even if we do, we miss out on the most amazing reward you get when you help others. Alf decided to help a strange family without thinking about it, life is so less complicated in the country and most rewarding.

I think I have said enough about Alfie, our only regret is that we didn’t get to see his Elvis impersonation, definitely next time Alf !

Bea and Belinda were also great, so easy to talk to, so happy to know you, they did look after us very well and my youngest Rafael will miss their son Issah. Just like dad, they took us out one evening to just catch the Lightning Ridge sunset at a mine site, and what a sunset it was, nothing beats living the moment, appreciating God’s flawless creations.

As we got around town we noticed the influence John Murray has had through his art on the town, you can see it on the murals and at the bowling club, a visit to his gallery was on top of my list.

I went to the gallery and fell in love with his unique interpretation and portrayal of the outback. Where someone else would see nothing but arid dessert, dry, harsh and not much life, John would transform that same “scene” into beauty with a little wit as many of this paintings brought a smile to my face. His wife Viki also very talented using another medium, and that is photography, and like John, what seemingly is nothing out of the ordinary she transforms into extraordinary through her photos. It should not have surprised me to find John and Viki approachable and friendly like everyone else in Lightning Ridge, I was quite surprised to know that they were both at the gallery and even more surprised when I got to talk to them and if that wasn’t enough he invited Noah to do a painting on the gallery’s mural. John had a chat to Noah and as I watched, he was hanging on every word John was saying. John said something that I think Noah will never forget “follow your passion Noah and everything else will come”…moments like this make my heart skip a beat, this was just the beginning. The following day we were there at 9 am and Noah spent two and a half hours painting under John's guidance and under Lightning Ridge scorching sun, a one-on-one time with who I found to be a very special artist. I did struggle to keep my tears back, I was and continue to be a proud mum.

I got to know John and Viki a little and like everything else in this journey around Australia I have once again learnt what I needed to learn at this particular time in my life, they have taught me the importance of discipline not only with work but in all aspects of life, and as John said to Noah, following your passion and everything else will come. Like Alfie, they are also active in helping others, especially the youth. Please check out John and Viki’s art, JohnMurray Art and enjoy.

It was time for us to go, we did do other touristy things, we went to the pool, did you know that there is an olympic size pool in Lightning Ridge? Great story behind it as it was 5 little girls that made it happen. We also went to the chamber of the black hand, where there are over 450 carvings underground in a mine and lets not forget the bore baths, now this deserves its own paragraph.

Lightning Ridge bore baths are the hottest baths we have encountered in our lives, so hot that it makes me question whether there is a health and safety guide for the temperature? Umm never mind because I absolutely loved it. Two pools a big one and smaller one, which is supposed to be cooler. We went at night as it would be impossible, I think to go during the day when it is already hot! Usually these pools are nice and warm, like in Pilliga, but to our surprise as we tried to put our toes in, it was, or felt like boiling water, literally! We looked at each other and laughed because it was ridiculously hot and we just could not get in. Slowly, I managed to get my foot in, then the other, ok I am to not on fire, and yes, I managed to go in up to my neck. Josh and Raf made it as well, although Raf felt a little dizzy, Noah and Carlos just could not. I could see they wanted to but just couldn’t. Second time we went Carlos made it, the bore baths at Lightning Ridge was a very intense experience, I’m sure if I would had taken some eggs I could have boiled them and made dinner at the same time, never mind, but I slept like a rock those nights…or passed out!

We were sad to leave Lightning Ridge, had such a great time and truly hope to see these very special people again…. I think its fair to say that the greatest beauty of this country so far is its people.