Ardlethan

First stop on my A-Town adventure was Ardlethan. I have heard that the Ardlethan Races, held on March 27th this year, are pretty good so a 555km South West journey from Sydney taking nearly 6 hours was called for.

I was going with my Cousin Bec to the races so I stayed at her house in Narrandera. I had Uni on all day so was a little weary on the drive down. The scenery was a little boring but clouds were fantastic.

It was taking a little longer than expected because of my kip on the side of the road at Gunning and not being able to get back onto the highway going South, had to go further North to turn around. My Aunt rang just as I was passing in to the fruit fly zone wondering how far away I was. This reminded of my apple I had thoughtfully bought and then forgot to eat.

This bin was a bit wiffy

Narrandera is in the Fruit Fly exclusion zone of NSW. Carrying fruit into a fruit fly exclusion zone can get you a $100,000 fine and cause damage to local crops. 

Crap on the ol' Silver Bullet

After a bit of chatting, catching up with my family and seeing my Uncle's mates music studio a good nights rest was in order for the all day event in Ardlethan.

Ardlethan is 490km west of Sydney and has a population of approximately 379, as of the 2006 census. The towns name is Scottish meaning 'hilly'. A Tin mine has been at Ardlethan since 1961, this mine was closed between '86 and 2001. It was again closed in 2004 because of lower then expected tin reserves.

We caught the bus from Narrandera to Ardlethan and thinking the bus was coming shortly we started drinking at 11. A meal of chips and gravy was required for the trip to the races. Ended up waiting at the pub for an hour. 

Races companions Bec and Gabby

After a quick stop over to buy supplies (alcohol) we headed off. I discussed with a few people along the way of my little adventure hoping to find some interesting facts about the town. Can't remember much, should not drink that early.

Driving into the races.

Originally my plan for Ardlethan was to go to the Kelpie Dog Festival. My friend Gail had told me a few weeks earlier that there is usually one on every year, sadly I don't think it is on any more. My research has told me that Ardlethan is 'home' of the Kelpie Dog. This fact is being contested by other towns who claim to be 'Home of The Kelpie Dog'. Maybe this is why there is no more festival.

Mirrol creek that runs along the race track

The races are run in a paddock with wheat sown either side. Initially the races were allowed because the owner of the paddock didn't believe that they would continue for so long. This year was the 51st Ardlethan Races.

Playing in the creek

There were some really well dressed and not so well dressed folk at the races. This lass in a black mini caught my groups eye with her gigantic bow balanced on her head.

Readers of my other blog would already know of my interest in clouds and the sky. There is a great difference in clouds in MIA compared to Western NSW and especially Sydney. I have been told that the clouds are like this (streaming) in the area because of the lack of water. Unable to form 'full' clouds.

I only watched one full race the whole day. This was the 'Ardlethan & District Farming Families' Race 5 race at 4:35pm. No idea who one. I didn't even bet!

Many people in the area use the event to have their Hen's and Buck's days/nights. Either one Hen's party was quite large or the sailor theme was quite popular.

Havin' a chat

Went and had a look at the bit where horses walk around to get warmed up for a races and possibly hear a pep talk from their trainers.

First category in fashion on the field were the fancy dressed people. One group of Hen's went as 'Old Wives' and looked awesome. Apart from them the theme of pirates and sailors were popular.

I had my ticket ready to enter in to the Female fashion on the field category, my kind nature took that away though. A girl and her friend came along and pleadingly asked my cousin and I where we got our tickets from because they didn't get any... and it was probably to late to get one. Urgh, we ended up giving up our tickets (and possible glory) to the girl in Gold ballgown and her mate in black gown. Neither won.

Males fashions. Not many males entered and the two on the end were part of a Buck's night of dodgy fashion or equal theme. Guy in the black hat won.. I think.

Kicking on to about 5pm now and I had been on it for near 6 hours. I rarely drink a lot and I was feeling the heat by this point. Thankfully I was given a stubby holder to keep my drink cool.

Final race and some still have it in the to jump and cheer the horses on.

I got all dressed up classy like but was soon super filthy like a Hobbit. I changed into thongs to save my shoes (and feet), this just made it worse.

Hobbit

Epic day and we all pile into the bus at about 6pm, after much getting on and off and nudie runs from the guys. We had a bit of a stopover on the way back to Narrandera at the Grong Grong pub.

After eating nachos and a fellow racegoer tipping over a half full esky in one pub we went to another for a few more drinks. Chatted to a few people people about my adventure. I met Benschy and Luke who seemed quite interested in my resolution and wished me well on my adventure and if I were ever in the area again to call them up. Another guy told me I was correct on my fact of Ardlethan being Home of the Kelpie Dog, he should know he is a Kelpie Breeder. I was later told he doesn't breed them he just has heaps of dogs. Even got invited to have tea with Luke from Ganmain and his fiance whenever I am out that way.

Myself, Bensch and Bec

A few previously thought truths shattered with many drinks had and the night was nearly over. I had planned to visit Ariah Park and the way back home but decided instead to have a bit more of a rest.

Some towns don't have that much available history online so I have decided that I can also explore the surrounding areas.

The Hankinson Fountain was presented to the town of Narrandera in 1922 and is dedicated to those from the area who fought in World War 1.

The fountain was made by Royal Doulton and there is another like this in Karachi, Pakistan.

Getting ready to go home.

I have driven past the Dog on the Tucker Box many times but have never stopped to find out what it was about. I discussed this with a friend who had been there a few times recently and she also didn't know of its origins. Both of us thought it was a memorial of some great man in history and his dog. Some what like Simpson and his donkey.

Nah, not true. It is about a dog shitting in it's owners lunch box. Don't go to wiki. It is wrong. There is signage at the Tucker Box and the council agrees.

Unveiled in 1932 the monument was inspired by the poem 'The Dog Sat On The Tuckerbox'. The plaque near the dog says that a guy, Bill the Bullocky, was on the road to Gundagai in the 1850's and got his bullock team and wagon stuck in the creek. After trying to pull the bullock out, he broke it. Bill gave up and went to go have some lunch. As the plaque states, there was his dog "sitting, or worse" on his tuckerbox. Bill's teammates found this soooo funny they wrote a poem about it. Nice one guys.

Well, the Ardlethan trip was awesome. I got to hang out with my cousin and family and meet some really great people who I do hope to be able to meet up with for a cup of tea. It was a great introduction into the A-Towns. 

- A