Trip Report:Orange National Field Day
20-22 October 2022
The day dawned…but not bright and sunny! As has been the case for the last few weeks it was overcast and threatening to rain. indeed, the Met. Bureau, BOM or whatever they want to call themselves these days, had forecast rain, possible thunderstorms, and even perhaps some hail. With this in mind, outside and overhead, three vehicles set off for a long-awaited trip to Orange in central western NSW about midday on Thurs. 20th October.
Originally, we had 6 vehicles and groups coming, but what with the forecast downpours some decided that they didn’t want their camp gear to get too wet, one had to withdraw because of illness, and another had some electrical/mechanical problems and so we finished up with only 3 vehicles and 4 people. But hey! We had a great time!!!!
Participants/Vehicles
Phillip Favaloro and his well-known Nissan Patrol;
Ralph Radovan and his famous Jeep Grand 6.4 litre Cherokee;
Neil and Jane Flower and the trusty old Landy Disco 2;
(A motley band of cut-throats (Jane excluded) if ever there was one!)
Everyone had booked into different accommodation and so after an early night on Thursday we assembled on the Escort Way just out of Orange ready for a 9:00am entry on Friday.
Friday 21st Look at the clouds in the next pic. All the locals and everyone coming through the entrance gates thought that the skies were going to open at any minute. It looked like numbers were going to be very low! The car park was slow to fill up and it really looked like everyone was staying away.
However, the crowds did come – although slowly, and by mid-day the crowds were starting to come in and the 3 car parks were getting reasonably full. At least the TRAX contingent had come early, and we were able to park right at the entrance gate.
“There is always much to see at a
show like this”.
Although the majority of exhibits and display stands were featuring Agricultural machinery there were still many other exhibits and displays. For instance, this display of fire pits and
camp???fireplaces along with garden decorations made from old plough and harrow discs, tractor wheels and old railway fishplates and rail spikes.
This one really ‘took the cake’
Railway line plates welded around a large tractor wheel.
But it was not only a show for the men of TRAX, but there were also many exhibits of arts, crafts and trades as well. One craftsman had an extensive display of wood turning. Jane found this bowl made from Camphor Laurel timber and very reasonably priced too. We were very blessed. The predicted deluge did not come. Only one very light shower for about 3 minutes and bringing hardly enough rain to worry about putting up an umbrella. End of day and we all adjourned to Orange and a great dining room at ‘The Royal’. Thanks to Ralph for his generosity – the ‘T-Bone’ steak was delicious!
Saturday 22nd Still very overcast, but no rain had fallen overnight. We had planned to make this day a ’recce’ day to try out some tracks in the nearby state forest and to visit the Borenore Caves. Now these caves (largely unknown to the vast majority of people) although small in size and number really make up for everything in regard to their beauty. They are only about 3-4 km from the Ag. Show grounds and are part of a small National Park. Really worth seeing and…. Free to enter as well!
A very small set of caves, but really magnificent in their shapes and formations. Not to be missed if ever you go near the city of Orange!
But time rolls on and it was off to do some recce-ing before the rain. We made it to Lake Canobolas but the very misty clouds the were rapidly lowering precluded us going to the top of Mt. Canobolas which is the highest point between Sydney and Perth. We enjoyed the foggy views before wending our way back home.
Phillip and Ralph considering whether to take plunge in the waters of lake Canobolas.
We thought that we had met the local MP but it just turned out to be an ordinary Goose.
Neil Flower