Cowra and the Prison Camp Breakout

Cowra Sheep resting
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Well, watchers we are now in Cowra. And what a temperature change, jumpers are off and even at 7pm too hot for a jumper. We stopped at the first park we found on the western highway, a Family Park Chain and a large park reasonably quiet and only a short drive to town. It is on bore water and has tank water for those who prefer to drink water that is not from the bore. It has its own wireless park internet at $8 an hour which is better than the Big 4 group at $10 per hour. While in town this afternoon we picked up food supplies from Coles and found a Doctor that will be able to re dress my burn tomorrow. The Hospital down here has a bad report from the young lady looking after the Van Park. She said that the waiting list was terrible and that it was better to ring the Ambos to get in, in a hurry. The town of Cowra and the surrounding country is DRY and the only green spots are the parks. Farms are brown dry and the animals are being grain fed. Some farm dams are still holding water, but as far as you can see the farms are brown, dirt or just a stubble of grass. The tourist information centre has a holograph display and tells of the history of the Japanese and the breakout on 5th August 1944. Of the 350 escapees, there were 107 wounded and 231 killed in the escape. So tomorrow we will visit the POW old camp site and the war cemeteries, then the Japanese Gardens and the Cowra Craft shop. Yesterday I told you all about the old car rally going to Bathurst. It was more than just an old car rally, it was a group of 150 believe it or not, Model A Fords from the 1925 on. Most are in a very well restored condition, although we did see one that was looking a bit sad, but still going. Some cars have driven from the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia, plus all over New South Wales. We saw some on the road while driving to Cowra. Joan will be pleased to know that we still play 5 crowns, as tired as we are at night, Helen still insists on a game of cards. I am noticing that even though we have been on holidays now since the 3rd of March, we haven't had a day off doing nothing and after a little drive pulling the van today (110k) I had to have a sleep this afternoon before we went into town. So the time is coming that we do like the southern tourists do. Arrive in a park, put the chairs out and sit in the sun and read a book all day, or appear to read, probably sleep and do nothing else. Tonights photos are more from Hill End.

While on holidays you need to stop a while and have a rest