Border towns

Heritage Drive Day 3 Wednesday 3rd June
Leisurely start. First stop was to 2 Aborginal sites of significance close to Collarenebri. The first one was to the river where the Aborigines had constructed a fish trap and fish ladder. The trap allows for scooping up of fish in times of high river levels and the ladder is a set of concrete stairs that allow for fish to 'climb' the river against the flow to spawn.

One of hospital auxiliary ladies told us her grandfather had taught all his children to swim in this part of the river. He would put them in the water one side of the Island and the current would take them down and then bring them back the other side. These ladies were a real treasure they clearly had a great knowledge and respect for the local aboriginal people. Unfortunately the Aboriginal elder failed to turn up to the meal last night or to the tour of significant sights today, another missed opportunity to engage with sympathic Ausies. Left it to the ladies auxiliary to cover for him.

Second site was an Aboriginal cemetery that is beautifully maintained by the local mob. Many of the graves are old and nearly all have been adorned by families with broken glass and objects of significance for the person. So sad to see many small and tiny graves. Many don't have headstones or names due to the custom. But the most recent ones do seem to show the identity. Local families have working bees to keep the cemetery looking tidy.

Apparently when someone dies the family have to dig the grave and cover it in as a big mound. It takes about 3 years for the mound to subside and then it is decorated. Each family maintains the graves of their ancestors and families. We did not take photos of the graves respecting the wishes of the families.
Travelled onto towards Queensland border. Once we got onto a sealed road I plucked up the courage to drive Landy. So much easier now the gearbox is fixed.
Similar landscape- open spaces and 'big sky'. Stopped at One Ton Peg which is the original survey mark for the end of the straight part of the Queensland - NSW border. From then on the boundary follows the Barwon river. The surveyors name was Cameron and he surveyed the whole of the border. Geoff was in his element explaining the process the surveyor would have followed and the significance of the last peg and the secret little hidey hole to set up the tripod for the instrument.

We hopped from NSW to Queensland as they were on opposite sides of the big wooden peg. It looked like Mr Squiggle's pencil!

Very basic toilet!

Then
Then it was onto Mungidi which is right on the border in the first part of the squiggly border part. It is nestled just inside NSW. It was a little bigger town than Collarenebri and had a lovely clothing store which has a sale on RM Williams clothes and I bought a pair of elastic sided workboots country gal now! Geoff under pressure bought a lovely merino wool and possum jumper.

Another great meal this time provided by the pony Club ladies. Another baked dinner and yummy dessert.