It's a little over 4500 kms, we have a full tank of gas, half a packet of tea, its dark... and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it!

Richard and Wendy are travelling again - this time for a very different reason. Richard is en route to Darwin to take up the role of Chaplain to the Northern Fleet, that is the Patrol Boat Fleet of the Navy operating out of Darwin.

With military precision, and when Wendy is ready-  the road trip begins at 0530h - (5.30am for those not in the Navy).

Today was always going to be tough, attempting to travel almost 1200kms to Broken Hill.

It is long, but not a hard drive, especially as you share the driving.

Through the mountains to Mudgee, as it awakes on a fresh summer morning. Then the further we go west the more we are surprised by the State we have both lived in all our lives.

The statue to Glenn McGrath in Narromine is a cultural highlight! Nyngan looks like a nice place but we accidentally bypass it . Cobar is home to a very good pie shop and a pleasant park for lunch. Wylcania's delight is the Darling River flowing ploddingly on its long journey south to the Murray. Broken Hill, a place where Richard's grandfather worked after WW1, looks fascinating and invites us to explore tomorrow morning.

Along the way we see amazing diversity and beauty. Yes, roads that are flat and straight but are interspersed with  numerous ranges and ever changing landscapes.  There are many more trees than we  expect as the bush becomes scrub and the scrub becomes very big sheep stations. Cute feral goats graze along the side of the road and fortunately scurry off into the scrub as we drive past. Kangaroos stare from the side of the road as they scarily consider their options. Wild emus eat, run and generally hang around, confirming their status on the coat of arms.

By 1900h (7pm)  and we are almost out of New South Wales and now resting for the night in a very pleasant motel in Broken Hill. It even has colour TV.