Time at Temora

I overestimated my stamina today. I had expected to get much further but I am at Temora tonight - an unexpected stop but a lovely little spot with free camping at the old railway station. It has been renovated and is now the Youth Centre, with beautifully set out rooms and activity areas.. It borders on an open grassy space with a small concert shell. Everything is within walking distance (so the brochures say) or within easy driving distance.

I was glad I had driven today when I went to the recreation centre. I saw that an hour in the heated pool was $3.50 so I didn't want to waste my hour changing. I changed in the car, gathered my gear and discovered that the centre is closed for the season. With the kids still at school till Friday and then ten days holiday for Easter, it seems ridiculous to close so early. I would have thought they'd want to be open for the holidays. The swimming was incidental to a hot shower. I now know where the showers are for a clean start to tomorrow. One of my camping neighbours said that the Catholic Secondary School is presenting the Passion Play tomorrow and I told her I will go with her. I will find the showers before then.

Next day.
There are some lovely little coffee shops in town. The Information Centre lady recommended a few but when I asked where she went, she said Living and Giving.While I was parking there Meredie, who was just passing, asked me about my van. As she had an appointment, she invited me to her home for lunch so she could have a good look. She is a recently retired teacher with a huge task of renovating her home which is more than 120 years old. At the same time she is having a huge shed built to accommodate a motor home (for travels in the future) and to serve as her studio. She makes Venetian glass beads for jewellery and bespoke buttons. I even had a lesson - well I observed Meredie as I would never be steady enough for such precise work. Oh, and she cooked delicious fresh crumbed brains for lunch. I didn't remember about the Passion Play until it was far too late - but I had a shower at Meredie's house - an offer too good to refuse.

By the time I had had my little kindy kip, my parking area was a buzz of activity. There had been a fun run for drug awareness (or something similar) and the kids had all arrived for a barbecue and a band at the station. I chatted to the school chaplain for a while when she also came over to look at my van. (A lot of solo women see the small Sprinter as a good introduction to travel.) After the kids' celebrations finished, another band was to start up in the park. I decided that a night at the Club with a book to read, pokies to play and drinks on tap was a viable alternative to the camp ground entertainment. I didn't stay terribly late but everything was quiet when I returned.