BH Still Still

Actually departed Broken Hill this morning but had not posted sightings and events of last couple of days, so here comes an update. On Wednesday we traveled firstly to the Daydream Mine for a real life vintage trip down a real mine shaft. Jude was distinctly advantaged as a height challenged person, although we were advised still some inches taller than the original miners. We were all rigged up with helmets and head lights and ventured down some fairly daunting mine shafts where miners actually worked lying down, working by candlelight. Not for the faint hearted, but interestingly, according to our tour guide, well paid by the standards of the day. A stockman was paid about $2.00 a day whereas a miner got perhaps $5.00. Life was short with many dying by 40 from silicosis or lead poisoning.

Later we traveled the 110 km to Menindee which is  notable for its lakes complex from the damming and redirection of the Darling River and its seedless grapes. The lake complex is massive, supposedly 3 1/2 times the area of Sydney Harbour. But, no wonder the grapes are mostly green cos so is the water.

Thursday saw Mike depart to head back to Melbourne, Jude get some “housework” done and me do something else. It reached 42 by early afternoon and the Winnie air was not coping well so we went for drive and found some points of interest like – emus growing on a diet of golf balls, air navigation antennae directing all air traffic away from BH (presumably), the local drive in theatre with a paucity of entertainment (gotta wonder what the love generation does for its jollies now) and  a model aero club next door to  the local shooting range (dunno what they used for targets huh? – or did the models bomb the shooters?)

We also attempted to follow the ‘Heritage Trail’ but someone stole the signs so we made our own. Interesting though – this town has a remarkable history but it is not preserved like so many other historic mining towns. Perhaps the highlight in terms of preservation was a visit to a photo gallery of  historic prints and descriptors but a couple of hours had the head spinning with a surfeit of information. We’ve subsequently been given a DVD of the history of BH but as yet haven’t had time to review it. This by the way was given to us by Gary and wife staying in the caravan park but who was a past resident of BH (I’m becoming as grammatically challenged as my son – its hereditary – you get it from your kids).

Were now past Peterborough having spent some hours on a guided tour of the steam/rail museum. Fabulous and I think Jude even enjoyed it too.

Some happy snaps follow….

……. Daydream Menindee where there was once a very high tide and BH people take their annual leave

It is altogether a fascinating part of this country, one which it is difficult to comprehend when you take in the hostile environment surrounding all of it.