I haven't transposed my travels much lately but this little town deserves a mention. It is just lovely and so very welcoming. I am copying what I have written to my FB page so if it is a little rambling, forgive me.
CROOKWELL.
You may well be asking where the heck is Crookwell, it is a little country town about 45k from Goulburn heading towards Orange and Bathurst. Nestled in the SouthernTablelands of NSW, surrounded by rich farming land, large sheep and beef studs, and a huge area of Windfarm windmills. I have to say at this point that is the only thing that spoils this area, the Windfarm, something that I do not personally like to see on the hills or understand exactly what their purpose is.
Once I left Bundadoon on Monday morning, I headed to Goulburn to do a little shopping and fill up with fuel. It was funny being back out on the highway again, so much traffic, my goodness, not something that I enjoyed at all. Goulburn is now quite a large country centre, I had a bit of a walk around, had lunch and then headed for the hills again. Decided that I would do my shopping at the IGA here in Crookwell, would rather support the local communities than the big two.
A beautiful drive up into the hills towards Crookwell as I have described. I had a line of traffic behind me coming up the hill into Crookwell so pulled over at the windfarm to take a picture of the surrounding countryside, and let the traffic go ahead. I opened the door and nearly lost it in the wind, now I know why they have the windmills here. Stunning views though.
The caravan park here is aged, but so nice. A short walk into the main shopping area, clean, everything that is needed, all sites are concreted and flat, so don't need anything else. $26pn. The local shire guy comes around to collect the fees once you have been to the information centre to get a key for the amenities block. All good, and as safe as houses. Though the road is just two sites down for some reason the road noise is minimal.
Once set up I went for a walk up the street to have a look around, do the shopping and then head back to MD. I decided to buy a small blow heater for when I am on 240V. The reason being, the diesel heater and a/c work well, heat the room up and then I have to wait until it gets cold again before they kick in again. This way in these freezing temps I can keep the inside a constant temp. So warm and toasty.
I really needed it yesterday. In the morning it was something like -3, poor MD had ice on her bits, poor thing but her innards were nice and warm. It was freezing all day, and I am sure it was snowing at different times of the day. There was stuff floating from the sky, not like rain that falls from above. I did not poke my nose out the door all day. The wind became stronger as the day wore on and it was a bit disconcerting, but all good.
Today the rain has stopped, just a few showers, even had some sunshine. The wind is bitterly cold though and still quite strong. I went for a walk up to the street, did some F&V shopping, had lunch at one of the cafes and poked around some of the other shops. Everyone here is so friendly, and welcoming. People wanted to know about me as they did not know my face, definitely a town that I will visit again in the spring or autumn. At present it is too cold to really explore it properly.
So for those who are travelling I would put his area on your itinerary and spend some time here.
Crookwell is a very nice town, those wind farms are a blight on the landscape. I bet none of the advocates for them live near them, the farmers get a quid for having them sure, but a lot suffer beause of them.
Good to read you are still wandering and enjoying the laid back lifestyle. The cold is never relaxing - although at least if you can feel the cold you know you must still be alive
It has been some years since I wandered around the area north of Goulburn through to Oberon, Jenolan and the mountain country all through there. Great country.
Your comment - "Everyone here is so friendly, and welcoming. People wanted to know about me as they did not know my face" is exactly why I love being inland, visiting and staying in small towns. I have had so many fantastic conversations and met some wonderful country folk in small inland towns.
Stay well and keep enjoying the lifestyle.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Wow what a surprise to see someone is staying at Crookwell.
Crookwell is my home town where I was born and bred for my first thirty two years of life.
Yes it is a lovely small country town and the people are very friendly and helpfull.
I now live in the Shoalhaven where my wifes family come from, my ancestors were among the first to settle in Crookwell and my father and two sisters and families still live there.
My clan were farmers and we were at an area known as Roslyn a little bit north east of town.
You are probably not there at the best time the year to visit weather wise, but if it warms up a bit to allow you to get around you will find lots to do.
I don't think your writing is rambling at all Shekon. Its detailed descriptive and enjoyable. There are plenty of us that wish we could express ourselves as well. Keep it going - most interesting read.
Hey Sharon, While Cruising America, one of the thing's that I just Loved to See..
This Shows a country that is Not afraid to go something for the Environment..[Mind you they do have one of the highest incidence of Fracking[With OZ companies being some of the biggest one doing it..]
Sorry Juergen, I loved your pics but the windmills, for me they are a blot on the landscape. I know many people love them, my cousin and I would disagree every time we went for a drive around the SE of Sth Aust, she loved them, I don't. However saying that your sky pics are great, would rather see the different cloud formations.
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I am fun and adventure. So much to see, so much to do, so many people to meet. Will see, do, and meet all that I can.
Sorry Juergen, I loved your pics but the windmills, for me they are a blot on the landscape. I know many people love them, my cousin and I would disagree every time we went for a drive around the SE of Sth Aust, she loved them, I don't. However saying that your sky pics are great, would rather see the different cloud formations.
Gday...
YEP ... wind generators are a real blight on the countryside ........
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan