Day 19 - Lightning Ridge

We both had a really good sleep last night (didn’t have to think about floodwaters!). First stop today was the Tourist Info Centre to get mud maps as we were going to visit the Grawin, Glengarry and Sheepyards opal fields. They are about 75 kms from the Ridge.

Grawin was started in 1905 - Glengarry in the 1970’s and Sheepyards in 1984. They were typical opal fields with mullock heaps everywhere. All the fields have pubs - at Grawin “Club in the Scrub” - at Glengarry “Glengarry Hilton” and Sheepyard “Sheepyard Inn”. Sheepyards was closed today but the other 2 were open and we had lunch at the Glengarry Hilton.

But before we left town Faye had to get coffee - so Ken took the first 3 photos while he waited…

The high emu is “Stanley” on the highway just outside the Ridge.

On the way out they have established a War Memorial alongside Lake Beard. One of the locals followed us - so Ken had to feed it. And Faye found a couple of birds.

Back at the van by 2.30 so Faye caught up on the washing. Still here tomorrow and we are booked to do a Chambers of the Black Hand Mine in the morning.