Broken Hill

Whilst on our motorhome trip to Alaska just on 2 years ago it was decide among our fellow travellers that we should have a reunion in 2 years time. After some bandying around it eventually fell to me to organise said event. Silverton, a mining ghost town some 20km west of Broken Hill  was chosen as the venue in a camp ground named Penrose Park.
We arrived on 16th March after a 3 day trip from Goulburn.

Alone at Penrose Park

Although the country was very flat, I was still amazed that we that recorded fuel economy of 4 km /litre!!( thanks to a new turbo and removing the muffler)
Were on our own for nearly 2 weeks organising a bit and looking at things we knew we wouldn't get a chance to see once the others got there. Also we wanted to take pix of the full moon at it's largest but that didn't happen thanks to a continouos layer of cloud for 4 days.

Bruce's moon

I eventually got a pic at 3.30am 3 days later!
The mob arrived in dribs and drabs.
First to show was Ken and Wendy followed by Pam and Milton. The next day it was Merv and Maureen, Jill and Keith, Bob and Louise. The following day it was Rudy and Leslie, Jim Glenda and Jeannie and on Sunday Rod and Trudy arrived. Finally, Bob and Alidia got there on Tuesday morning.
 A couple of strays,  Russell and Kerry joined us for most of the duration.

Sunset over the Mundi Mundi plains

The first night's happy hour was a veeerrry long event with most of the participants finally falling into bed without dinner. After that a tea break was called followed by nightly sessions round the fire.

On Sunday we all retired to the Silverton Hotel to listen to Kerry who had a singing gig there.

"Alaska Mob" outside Silverton pub

Night out at Silverton Cafe

I had booked the local cafe for a dinner on Monday night and we began the evening with hors-d'oeuvres and drinkies. The meal was the krack and then we had a fine session conducted by Ken and assisted by B1 which saw everyone in stitches. The balance of the fines was presented to Royal Flying Doctor Service. That was a night to remember!!!!

Russell and Maureen's Pantomime

Little did we realise that that we would be spending it just a couple of days later when Merv was admitted to hospital with stomach pains from a gallstone in his bile duct. He was flown to Adelaide hospital where he had a gastoscopy to remove it.
We were joined by a million mice and everyone had their share of little visitors, but the prize went to Maureen who caught 2 simultaneously.

Maureen's Mice

The "mob" dissipated much as they had arrived and by April fools day only Keith and Jill, Milton and Pam, Maureen and us were left.
Spent most of Wednesday fitting a double water filter to  a new tap on the kitchen sink. What a bloody headache! everything that could go wrong did go wrong. But I got it done. After my recent experience with tank water it sure is a load off our mind given that we pick up water from all over the place
Keith drove Merv's bus into Broken Hill racecourse where we are staying this weekend and Maureen has just left to pick him up from the airport.
Whilst in town we took some time to look at the local scenery, architecture etc.
The Trades Hall was typical of the beautiful constructions peppered round town. Built around 1910 by volunteer labour, it stands as a reminder to the determination and purpose of the people who laboured at "the Hill" at that time.

Broken Hill Trades Hall

Oak Staircase

Union Mail Boxes

Trades Hall Ballroom

There are many abandoned mines in the area, some filled in and forgotten, some left as a permanent reminder of a bygone era.

Head frame of The "Brown shaft" Mine

Sitting atop the slagheap there is a restaurant and also a memorial to the nearly 1,000 workers who have died in the mines

Slag heap

Memorial

Reckon we will move off on Saturday morning to S.A.
Thanks to Merv suggesting Air scoops into each side of the engine bay. I found a sheet metal shop (Boltons) in Broken Hill where prices were very reasonable and the service was good.
I had been long thinking about locks for both fuel openings and Tim (at Boltons was able to supply locks and fittings quickly and cheaply.