Stop 1 - Shire of Bland

West Wyalong - capital of Bland

Well, yes, the adventure - for the fourth youngest member of Team NQTLBros at least - has commenced.  And what an adventure.  Stopping at West Wyalong in the Shire of Bland.  I am not kidding. It really is.  Really.

Anyway, its just Dad at this stage as I make my way to Byron Bay where I will be joined by the three youngest members of the team and the fifth youngest member of the team (Mum).  We will stay there for a few nights before moving on to Coolum where we will meet up wtih Nana and Pa.  And then we do a lap of Australia - up to Townsville, across to Kakadu and Darwin, Broome, then Kimberleys, down the WA coast to Perth and Margaret River, Esperance and then back home.  We are planning to do "the lap" and will not be going into the centre.  Once in a lifetime to see Coober Pedy was quite enough thanks very much. 

The idea is that we will back in time for Christmas but we otherwise do not have a strict timeline. Nana and Pa might bale on us at some stage but we do not really when or where.  Course, we might not get any further than Coolum.  But I did get further than my eldest sister and her family.  They didn't get out of their driveway on their trip around the country before the car bottomed out and wrecked their tow bar.  Three days for repairs!  This adaption to the outdoor life must be in the genes.

Its not all bad in Tocumwal - fish and chips by the mighty Murray -
a significant improvement of their dodgy pubs

Anyway, I learned something today.  People worry about the death of the typical Australia pub (well, I don't actually know that they do but people seem to worry most things and this is one of the things that they could worry about.)  I was quite excited this morning when I thought - travelling alone for three days - would give me the chance to have a few counter meals from typical Aussie country pubs. Lunch stop - Tocumwal.   I knew there was a potential issue when the sign outside said that the daily special was "Meatloaf with vegetables."  But I figured I should venture in and give it a crack.  Well, as soon as I ventured in, the music stopped and seven eyes became fixed on me - the bar person and the three locals although one of the locals had a crazy, bung eye that was wondering all over the place and who knows what that eye was looking at.  Anyway, the pub stank (and not of alcohol which is an acceptable stink), it was all dirty and the furniture did not look hygenic.  Neither did the bar staff.  It was apparent that this would be an uncomfortable meal.  So, I did what any self respecting city folk would do - I lied.  "Sorry, just looking for someone" before beating a hasty retreat.  Pub No 2 was even worse.

Now, I do not want to be judgmental and I might be destroying the last remaing hope that I held for becoming leader of the National Party but the people in the pub did not appear to be typical Aussie battlers.  Or, if they were, then the typical Aussie battler is an alcoholic.  None of them seemed to be on their first pot (or schooner - even though we were only just into NSW).

Anyway, give me the open plan, minimalist, city pub without the "locals" any day.  I think it says a lot about me that I can handle the 24 year old in a suit with a tie around his head much easier than I can these "locals".  The 24 year old may still have some hope  - albeit not much if he is an accountant.  But then, call me a city loving, yuppie, country hater - because that is pretty accurate - but do not worry about the death of the typcial Aussie country pub.  They are crap.

So, we have established that I do not really like camping or country people.  Should be a cracking 5 months...