We've reached our destination. The opal town of Lightning Ridge. If other opal towns we have visited are anything to go by this will be an odd place. We are going to spend 4 days here before going back home. Let's go see.
We passed through Bakers Swamp without noticing anything. Then reached our last dot on the map for this trip - Larras Lee and saw this. The roadside monument says: In Memory of WILLIAM LEE (1794 - 1870) of "Larras Lake" a pioneer of the sheep and cattle industry and first member for Roxburgh under responsible government (1856 - 1859). This stone was erected by his descendants. --- 1938 --- This is a repost from a few days ago. Thinking I would use this for this week’s Taphophile Tragics post I dug a little further into William Lee’s story, it’s a very colonial Australian one. William was born of convict parents, living his childhood years around the Sydney region. In his early 20s he was issued with some government cattle, recommended as a suitable settler and granted 134 acres at Kelso near Bathurst. He was one of the first in the area and did well. A few years later he was granted a ram and an inc...
What is that? It looks like a concrete truck? But why? I have been to Coober Pedy, and THAT was unusual!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Lightning Ridge info site "Opal dirt' – sandstone and clay mined from the opal level – is taken up to ground level using a hoist or blower, and dumped into the back of a truck.
DeleteThe opal dirt is then washed down by tumbling it for several hours inside a modified cement mixer called an agitator. Finally, the remaining 'tailings' are sorted, with keen eyes searching for any hint or trace of opal colour."
Yeh. I have been to Coober Pedy and Andamooka both very unusual.
Blimey!
DeleteHope you find a big opal. I'm going to Coober Pedy next year, my first opal town.
ReplyDeleteWe were seeking warmth and new places, not opals. You will enjoy Coober Pedy.
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