Day 273
Thursday –
28 September 2017 -
Began “Devil’s Cut” by JR Ward, book three in the series of the Bradford
Bourbon Family
Darawank – Cessnock
Yesterday’s lay in must have refreshed me, as I was awake at
6.45am and feeling good. I stayed in bed and read with Paul getting out just
before 8 and going for his shower. I got out and started organising breakfast
and tidying the van. We ate and then I went for a shower. By the time I
returned, Paul had everything ready for moving.
I finished off what I needed to do and then we made our way
out of the park and 10min down the road to Nabiac, where the Australian
Motorcycle Museum is housed. We located the large tin shed, parked, paid the
$15 entrance fee and then began our wander amongst the 1000 or so bikes and 20
odd cars.
Paul busily pointed out different models that were of
interest for varying reasons as we walked the aisles. There were also posters,
leathers, motors, helmets and other bits of interest displayed around the walls
to keep enthusiasts busy for hours. As it was, we were there for 1 ½ hours
taking in the spectacle. It was certainly interesting and well worth the look.
After completing the lap, we returned to the van, set the
GPS for Cessnock and began our two hour drive into the Hunter Valley region. We
spent most of the time on the Pacific Highway, before taking the turn away from
Newcastle and towards Sydney.
As we drew closer, we branched off again and headed west and
by 12.30pm we were at the showgrounds joining other vans taking advantage of
the cheap accommodation, $20 a night. Beats the busy caravan parks. We booked
in for 4 nights so that we were covered for the long weekend and then made
ourselves at home.
Paul plugged us in, while I put lunch together and then we
ate as we researched breweries near by. When we were sorted, we jumped in the
car and did a drive down the main street of Cessnock to acquaint ourselves with
where things were, in particular somewhere to watch the AFL grand final on
Saturday. We saw a few pubs that may be able to accommodate us.
We then drove on to the Hunter Beer Co not far from the
centre. I recognised the old brick kilns out the front from our trip to the
Hunter in 2003, though we didn’t stop in last time. Paul was straight into the
venue, while I took some photos outside before joining him.
He was busy talking to Jordy, the brewer. She took him
through the brewery, before pouring the tasting paddle and leaving us to sit
back and critique. The place was part of a hotel and tavern, so when we were
done we went to the sports bar to find out if the footy would be on. With a
resounding yes, we figured we had found our venue, though we couldn’t get in
for lunch, as it was fully booked.
With it still early, Paul figured we could complete another
brewery, so we drove up the road to Lovedale Brewery that is housed inside the
Crown complex and overlooks the 18th hole of the golf course.
We found our way in to the bar that also looks out on the
pool, a very busy spot. Paul was palmed off to Cameron, one of the brewers, who
again took us into the brewery and we also got to speak to the distiller who
was kind enough to give Paul a small bottle to take away.
We returned to the bar and Paul tried the beers, as he
talked to the bar staff between other customers. He was happy to leave with a
tasting glass, another quick chat to the brewer and then it was back to the car
to head back for the evening.
We unpacked the car, dropped things in the van and then
decided to walk laps of the oval, which was really a horse track. There were a
few horses being housed in a paddock that we said hello to, there were also a
few within the stables. Then as we completed the first lap we witnessed a guy
exercising seven horses that he had tethered to a long trailer and had it being
pulled behind a car. Some of the horses didn’t look very impressed by this and
were bucking and pulling. They weren’t out for long before being put away.
We completed three laps and then returned to the van. Paul
got on with his homework and I loaded the photos before thinking about dinner.
We interrupted our work to eat and then returned to computer things for the
evening before heading to bed.
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