A quick duck into Nsw took us to Lightning Ridge.. famed for black opal and quirky peeps. If you ever want to be a recluse or go into hiding, this is the place you go to!
First arvy, we went to the artesian pools where natural water springs get to over 45 degrees.. like a big byooodiful bath for all my aches n pains .. soo good ! Next day we did all the car door tours.. follow the painted car doors that are strung up in trees to all the top spots in the opal fields... seeing how they live and what they live in ! Quirky houses built by locals from beer bottles and cans which were amazing, castles and rare cactus’s. Steve checked out an open mine and had a quick fossick! Next day we drove 70 km to farther opal fields where mining is still done today. The road starts off sealed and then turns to white dust ! Amongst the shantie shacks, old vans and piles of mullock, there are 3 bush pubs where the locals drink. Sheepyard Inn, the Club in the Scrub and the Glengarry Hilton. We visited all of them .. there was even bingo and a rough ole golf course!
On our way back we stopped at yet another opal field and came across ole Richard and his opal tree.. his passion to find tree stumps and cover with opals was very unique !now he was an interesting character!
We had a few quiet nights and didn’t even make it to the bowls club ! Nice Italian for dinner tho.