LIGHTNING RIDGE

EASTER 1996

Friday

McDonald's at Goodna was the meeting place for four days of fun and adventure with Ralph and Marilyn as the Trip Leaders.

After the renewal of old friendships and the introduction of new friends we set out via Gatton before turning through Heifer Creek. Peter N gave a very good commentary about the building of the road by Sir Lesley Theiss. Across to Leyburn where Gary W told us all about the disused American Air Force base that was the venue of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix, then onto Karara where we had a pleasant morning tea break.

Goondiwindi was the next stop for lunch, some temp work being carried out on Gary's 79 'L' Brumby by David, Royce and Jeff.

Next stop was Dirranbandi for fuel and then onto our host farm, Adrian and Elizabeth's sheep property. Decisions were made as to who slept where and the crew settled in for the night at the Shearers' Quarters with some pitching their tents and some sleeping at the homestead.

Saturday

Saturday saw us head down to Lightning Ridge via a back road. This road was used as the main thoroughfare prior to the highway being sealed. The highway was not as smooth as the back road and the locals found their own way to the 'Ridge'. On our way down we were lucky enough to see emus, black cockatoos, bush budgerigars and kangaroos.

The day in Lightning Ridge went very quickly with an extensive visit to an Opal Mine where we all learnt how they were formed, how they are found, polished and finished. A very good experience. Back to the farm then to relax.

Sunday

Adrian put on a show in the shearing shed. The sheep were shorn and the fleece explained. Then it was down to the river to catch lunch. Yabbies were on the menu and after a couple of members got the hang of it, there was no stopping them.

After lunch a tour of the property was organised and most took the opportunity to have a chance to see the real working of a sheep property. The clearing and regrowth along the way, plus the amazement that the property is worked by one person - except at shearing and crutching time, gave us all a better understanding of this industry.

Monday saw us pack up and head home via St George, along the River Road from Dirranbandi to St George. This road was used by stage coaches in the early part of this century. Then on to Moonie for lunch. Lake Broadwater was the next stop for afternoon tea. This lake dries up in drought time and this time we were able to view it full of water and with a dozen or more ski boats making full use of it.

Thank you to those that came along, for letting us share with you a little bit of our lives and when you sit on, or pull on that sheep skin coat you will know that it is not easy being a sheep.

Ralph Condon SC 372

YABBY EXPEDITION - EASTER WEEKEND

On Sunday morning after shearing some sheep, we headed off to the Narran River that runs through Adrian's property, to go yabbying. To catch yabbies, you need to find a stick and tie a metre of fishing line onto the stick and then put some fresh meat on the end of the line.

Once you set your line, you find a log beside the bank and put your bait near the log and wait until the line goes tight. You slowly pull the line up until you see the blue nippers. Then getting a scoop under the yabby, to stop him falling off, you flick the yabby out onto the bank. Once you do that, you pick the yabby up by the nippers and put the yabby into a bucket of water and try again.

Once we caught enough, we took them up to be cooked. To prepare them for cooking we had to pull off their heads and pull out their poo veins. After finishing this, we cooked them in a pot of boiling water over the fire for about 5 minutes. There was enough for everyone for a light lunch, about 150 altogether. You had to peel it like a prawn to get the meat out.

They were delicious!!

Mark Ottway (Junior)