More quickies for the drrons.

[drron]

The food which was very good.

 

[drron]

The next day we were off to Orange. From here the state of the roads was shocking with thousands of potholes some quite deep. But in Orange some beautiful garden with a lot of dogwoods which is amongst our favourite flowering tree,





We stayed at a new hotel on a Luxury Escapes package. The Remington which was very good and quiet. A little out of town but opposite the new Base Hospital so convenient to public transport if needed.



And the premier view.

 

[drron]

dinner was a casual affair at our best man's place but with some nice wines. One of his sons,also my godson, is a winemaker who trained with Philip Shaw and is now in the USA.




Breakfast was included in our package at the Remington and was a substantial continental breakfast which was perfectly adequate. You could order a hot dish at extra cost.

 

[drron]

After breakfast it was time for some exercise walking around the Botanic gardens.






Lots of birds.

 

[drron]

The BOM reported that the highest the real feel that day got to was 4.5C.

 

[drron]

For dinner we went to the restaurant in the Union Square building. It suggests dishes be shared which we did. Really good food and recommended.









The bone marrow and snapper were my favourites.

 

[drron]

leaving Orange I had monitored tghe NSW Road conditions website 2-3 times a day. Our preferred route was still under water but an alternative route to Dunedoo was open at 0900. So off we set. A couple of horrendous pothole sections but at 1015 we came across a sign - road closed ahead. Fortunately there was a side road back to the Mitchell highway so we then went via Dubbo. just outside of dubbo on the Dunedoo road was a police car blocking the road. My heart sank. But then this appeared.


Fortunately the blockage was movable so on we went. Just outside Dunedoo we passed where our original road came out and it also had the road closed sign up. When living in the Hunter we often came through Dunedoo to Dubbo and points west. We always stopped at the White Rose cafe for their roast lamb sandwiches with mint jelly. They were delicious. Although the White Rose cafe still trades they no longer do the roast lamb.
But the had a new reason to stop here in Dunedoo.


Yes they are on the Silo Art Trail.








So that is Winx with his jockey Hugh Bowman who was born in Dunedoo.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Orange Botanic Gardens - it was damn cold - I am in my friends warm coat !

 

[drron]

Some more from dunedoo.





We then continued down to Merriwa which is also on the Silo art Trail though with no real public viewing area. looks like they are making one but the area was just mud from all the rain. but here is the silo art.



We then took the road to Scone. They are currently upgrading this road but still some potholed sections. Then up the New England highway to the Mercure Tamworth.

 

[drron]

arrived at the Mercure and was acknowledged as a silver member although she has received the gold card after the QF instant upgrade. no problems basically all rooms the same though Silvers do get 2 drink vouchers instead of 1 The room is fine though we could hear an infant scream down the hall way. otherwise quiet and slept well.



You get your drinks at the adjoining Wests Leagues Club and 10% off dining. They certainly didn't under pour the drinks. This is the level after having a mouthful.



Meals were good and great value. I had the slow cooked beef brisket which had great taste plus tender and moist.


Mrsdrron had the Garlic prawns.


Only complaint was the view from the room.

 

[drron]

We were off to Warwick. Thought about 2 more silos north west of Tamworth but the roads were under water. We made a stop at Glen Innes which was a custom of ours pre Covid. Always had a strawberry milkshake at the Super Strawberry.





And the milkshake. really is a meal and for us a late breakfast.


Also bough a couple of jams and chutneys.

 

[drron]

We then drove straight to Warwick where we stayed at the Buckaroo motel. The owner had been left to run it by herself over covid and was totally exhausted. finally managed to sell it and new owners arrive in a week. Told us how it is impossible to find staff. did have a couple of answers to an ad for cleaners but they wanted to be paid $80 an hour. great way to go bankrupt.
Went to the RSL for dinner and it was truly forgettable so no pictures of our first day back in QLD.

Monday and we set out to home going via Toowoomba and Esk. longer but far less stressful. In Toowoomba we stopped at Maccas for breakfast and then went to USQ to see their Japanese garden. It was great. A pity to be a little late for the azaleas.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

Flowering peach blossom.



An Ibis tree.


This fellow caught himself a little crab.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

The last of the Garden.




Well worth a visit. When driving out I thought this was a brilliant idea.


Back home and straight into our routine. Dinner at Nyugen brothers Maroochydore. Mrsdrron always has the Lemongrass beef with vermicelli salad and I went with the eggplant and minced pork - really nice.




Next quickie is this wWednesday. 3 nights at the IC Melbourne.

 

[drron]

We are off on another short trip. We flew MCY-MEL today. I must say the MCY lounge was busy this morning.


Usual hassles at security when I say I have a knee replacement. Immediately told to take belt and shoes off. Weren’t impressed when I didn’t have to do it last time in SIN as they said I was going to be wanded anyway. Their answer was that Singapore has a different view of security so I said yes they are stricter.
So the wan ding took longer.

QF was just a little late coming in. Compounded by their usual no priority boarding policy. To make matters worse the line we were in had a novice agent so moved oh so slowly.

Ok after that though cleaning not great.


Just a typical snack for us plebs.


Funny my bites had none of the white things that were in the picture.
Then a family across the aisle with 2 youngsters. A girl probably about 22 months old who was not in a good mood. But luckily she had 3 surrogate grandfathers around who kept her entertained.

Otherwise uneventful and only 15 minutes late.
We are HCO for a change so straight out to run the gauntlet of taxi touts.
We use a real taxi. A nice older Vietnamese driver who did use the meter. Soon at the IC.

 

[drron]

Nice room at the IC on an Ambassador floor. Not noticed that before.



Very strange positioning for the TV though. The view is a bit of a fizzed as well.

Plus the balcony doors are locked.
No bath either.



No brained with the amenity. Breakfast obviously was the pick.