Today we headed east on the Barrier and Mitchell and Oxley Highways before heading north on the Newell.

Cobar is the home of the Wongaibon people (within the Ngiyampaa group associated with the arid plains and rocky hill country bordered by the Lachlan, Darling-Barwon and Bogan rivers). The name ‘Cobar’ is derived from a Ngiyampaa word kubbur for water-hole. Europeans discovered minerals here in 1870 leading to 150 years of continuous mining in the town.

The Big Beer Can in Cobar. Once two extraordinarily large horses were sitting at the bar having a beer here. A guy walked in and said to the bartender, “Hey, what’s with the Clydesdales?” Bartender says, “They’re draft horses.”

Ringneck parrot at Florida Rest Area between Cobar and Nyngan.

Grey Nomad wisdom:  Sometimes when you are out on the road, you are caught between a rock and a hard place….which is OK as long as it’s free.

These toilets look OK but sadly were vandalised. It was hard to catch the perpetrators. The police had nothing to go on.

The Big Bogan in Nyngan – someone in the shire thought this was a good idea. Hopefully it will rust in peace.

The Nyngan RAAF Iroquois helicopter (Huey) that helped in the 1990 floods. I was lucky to have a flight in one of these in 1972.

This had us stumped! We believe it is a different morph of the Willie wagtail. Update: I have consulted some esteemed ornithologists and they have informed me this is a Wonky Willie although some in a different Ornithological Union called it a Wierd Willie. People in the Bogan Shire just call it “bird”.

Nevertire water tank art celebrating the three local industries of wheat, cotton and wool – the mural was a big job to do, the artist only finished with shear determination.

Dubbo and Nyngan struggled in the local soccer league.

The Big Golf Ball at Warren has seen better days – it was attacked by the bogey man.

Sheep between Warren and Gilgandra – the local sheep dog was able to retrieve 40 sheep when the farmer only had 38. He rounded them up.

Apostle birds near Gilgandra picking through cotton.

We had to pass this truck on the highway on a long driving day – it was the last straw.

Warrumbungles from the Newell Highway south of Coonabarabran.

The Whomping Willows of Coonabarabran – these are the last of their kind – there are no slaplings.

Nandewar Range east of Narrabri

Silos between Narrabri and Moree. I find silos beautiful in certain light but some people hate them – they are going against the grain.

Good night from Moree