A large contingent of
Sydney based members departed Windsor around 8:30 am heading for the snow fields
at Yetholme then on to Bathurst on what can only be called a beautiful Spring
morning.
On the preceding days
the high country surrounding Bathurst received the biggest dump of snow for
over 10 years and this was October! I never doubted the weather for the weekend would
be anything but glorious and I was right (phew).
We all met up at the
Bathurst Visitors Center around 11 am and drove the short distance into town for
lunch. I waited at the visitors center for a couple of stragglers, one of which
never showed? After a filling pub lunch we all headed in convoy to Hill End.
There were plenty of
strained neck muscles from the locals who stopped to watch the uninterrupted line
of Jaguars travelling through the suburbs of Bathurst. Once free of the lower
speed zones it was time to free the horses for the picturesque run towards our
destination. Just over an hour later we all arrived at the Hill End Lodge,
booked in and met up at the Lodge’s covered outdoor entertaining area for a few
drinks to calm the nerves before we went looking for Hill End’s ghostly locals.
6 pm came around and we
all met in the dining room where our host had organised a wonderful 3 course
meal. All served with a smile and a great sense of humor.
8pm and we were off to
find some ghosts. Our National Parks guide Sandra has lived in Hill End all her
life and was very passionate about the area and her job. We had a great time
trekking by torch light around the old hospital, houses and village with
squeaking floor boards keeping everyone on their toes.
Sunday morning dawned
and after a wonderful Lodge breakfast we again headed into Hill End for a daylight
tour around the village. Again, Sandra was our guide and all was explained
about this once bustling metropolis. The weekend ended all too soon and in
dribs and drabs we all departed for home. Thanks to everyone who made this run
one of the best in the west.
If you ever decide to
visit Hill End we can all recommend the Lodge and the National Parks tours.
Crossing the Turon
Afternoon get together.
Ghost Tour.
Great way to travel through a historic village.
