Without our car we decided to explore town a little further today after we discovered there was a Farmers Market this morning, which meant, of course, food – especially breakfast and a fresh coffee, just what we needed. It’s always good to support the local economy when, in the case of the Central West, they have had such a bad year with very little rain and it’s looking like this was going to be tough one too.

Several of Orange’s local wineries were present as were bakers, vegetable growers and sweet treats a plenty. Wandering among the stalls with a steaming latte we followed that delicious smell of frying bacon, which led us to a well attended BBQ stall and grabbed an egg roll for our breakfast – delicious!
Cook Park

Walking back through town we made our way to Cook Park, a place full of surprises. A captured German cannon from WW1 stood at the park’s entrance opposite an older, smooth bore cannon that originally sat on guard at Kirribilli in Sydney Harbour.

Hanging from the trees were Fruit Bats creating a racket over an otherwise very peaceful corner of Orange. And close by was a small lake stocked with huge Koi fish while autumn leaves were falling all around us.

And then a something completely unexpected, an immaculately presented conservatory full of brilliantly coloured flowering Bergonias. Built by Blowes, a past Mayor of Orange, to house a growing collection of these showy blooms. The conservatory building was in such a good state of repair that it looked brand new and without a single sign of vandalism. In how many large towns or cities would this have survived? It was a pleasure to see so many amazing flowers in one place in such perfect condition.

Beer o’clock

Both tired from walking, we made our way back to our caravan and relaxed in the sun for a while enjoying a locally made pear cider.

Dinner with friends

This evening was spent with one of my previous work colleagues from Sydney and his sister at the Royal Hotel in Orange. It was great to catch-up over a meal and a beer or two with such great company – so much so we arranged to meet for breakfast early tomorrow morning at another local favourite – Bills Cafe.