Foxy,
My condolences relative to your mothers passing.

My old hometown is Goulburn which straddles the old Hume, so I know the road well. There are many truck drivers these days that drive Syd to Melb (outer urban) between depots and do it in 12 hours, sleep, then drive another back. Trucks are serviced and reloaded while they rest. Doubt that job would suit foxy.

I consider Maccas food to be just fuel so I avoid it, plan to stop elsewhere for refreshments. If possible i go where the trucks stop as the food is usually good and plenty of it, per serve, and the service quick. Not very lady like but the crockery and the toast is thick.

Hasbeen and OSW, both you blokes would recall 'Bimbo's' roadhouse at Bargo. ALL trucks stopped there and so did we on way to Syd, a lot of twists and turns around Bargo and then up and over 'Razorback'. Even these days I find most truckies good but the trucks far bigger, longer, and faster. You remember poster 'Belly', he used to live at Bargo and worked for the DMR.

The Hume could tell lots of stories. I recall when there were single lane wooden bridges at Bargo and Paddys River. The trucks blockage at Razroback (they stopped Alan Moffat too). Belanglo is infamous for other reasons OSW would recall.

Hi there BANJO; HASBEEN & FOXY...

We had this neat little joint in Picton, where the STP/GD coppers got a good cheap feed on our shifts. At the front, they sold Beer & Spiritus Liquor, and at the back they fixed up the coppers with a heap of decent food. From memory BANJO it was called the Picton Inn.

Speaking of memories - do any of you good people remember the famous 'Anthony Hordon's Tree' at the Razorback? It's motto was 'While I live, I'll Grow'. Sadly the tree was vandalised on several occasions by some of the local idiots in the area. Even in those days, the prevalence of vandals was always apparent. When the tree ultimately died, Anthony Hordon's closed down, after successfully trading for a period of over seventy years. A coincidence, who knows, but it surely happened.

Dear Banjo,

Thanks for the condolences regarding mum.
I am slowly dealing with it. Thanks also
for your advice regarding eating where the
truckies eat. Good advice and we'll do that
next time. Hubbie's already talking about another
trip in May of this year to the Hunter Valley and
Canberra - staying overnight in Goulburn en route.
I'm not too enthusiastic - yet, but I did promise
him another trip - so I 'll have to keep my
promise.

Dear O Sung Wu,

Thanks for your story about the Anthony Horden's tree.
The Hume Highway as you pointed out - must have heaps
of stories. I'm enjoying reading all the contributions
from everyone thus far. Great change from politics, for
a while at least.

OSW,
yes the Anthomy Horden tree was very famous. Belanglo forest is the place Ivan Milat murdered his backpacker victims and since my last post I recall the rape and murder of Ebony Simpson at Bargo. The bastard raped 9yo Ebony and bound her with barbed wire, filled her bag with rocks and tossed her in a dam.It is horrible. I don't envy the work coppers have to do. I would kill some of the crims. I recall the steep hill and underpass going into Picton. Many trucks came to grief there.

Foxy,
Next trip take it easy and do the tourist thing. There are some interesting things even before leaving Vic. Beechworth is interesting and historic. As is the Ned Kelly place on the Hume. There is Ettamoga pub near Albury and the dog on the tucker box. If hubby likes cricket there is the Bradman museum at Bowral. Do some research and you will find plenty to see before getting to the Hunter.

I still have a sister in Goulburn and I must visit her soon, before she disowns me.

Foxy,
The War Memorial in Canberra is a must and the Art Gallery. 'Blue Poles' etc. Contact your local MP, you may get a tour of the House.

Holbrook is worth a pit stop. They have a submarine in the main street. Near is a little cake shop where we got a nice morning tea.

For the boring stages you could listen to Amira's next CD, due out soon.
Suggest you get a copy of her pre Christmas concert with the Royal Mens chior. Her rendition of 'Jerusalem' is excellent, as expected, and she reaches some very, very high notes in 'How great are Thou'. Must be her highest, which is said to be 6F.
When I read about the high crime rate in Africa I am a bit concerned about Amira's safety. High profile persons are at more risk of kidnapping and there is a high rate there. Trust good precautions are taken

Dear Banjo,

Thank You for all your suggestions. I made a list of them
and they all sound interesting and well worth doing. We'll
also have more time on the trip in May - and can take things
much easier. So it should be much more enjoyable. Excellent
idea about getting hold of Amira's music. And you're right
to be concerned about her. She is a high risk for kidnapping
in that area.

Once again - Thank You for everything. Your suggestions will
be taken on board - they're great.