I don’t know about everyone else, but I had a crazy week.
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The weather continues to put a dampener on things, although at the least you can say it is consistent.
At this stage, even the farmers are hoping for sunshine so their sewing can sprout and crops begin to form.
There is certainly enough moisture in the ground now.
I received a call from a concerned citizen about the state of Chillingworks Road where there are currently road works being completed.
All the rain had turned the stretch of road into mud and it was difficult to get through in my Commodore ute.
When I told a mate about it, he said I should drive a Ford, but he’s a bit of a car nut and we grew up together in Bathurst so it is not a new conversation for us.
I did negotiate my way through the mud to the end of the works where I attempted to turn around to return to the office.
This is embarrassing, but I went a little wide on the u-turn and ended up bogged about one metre off the road.
I underestimated how slippery the side of the road would be.
Thankfully two friendly helpers from Weddin Shire Council in Grenfell had a rope and in a matter of minutes had me on the road again.
It was not the last of my weather related adventures for the week.
My daughter received a special award at her school assembly in Parkes last Friday.
My wife was supposed to be in attendance, but she finally succumbed to the flu and was at home sick.
So, I decided to drive back to Parkes a bit early and try to get to my daughter’s award presentation.
The weather on the roads was horrible with driving rain, and very strong winds, making it very difficult and slow-going.
It put me behind schedule and by the time I was the other side of Cowra, I knew I would miss the start of the assembly.
As is often the case when running late, nature played another trick on me.
Approximately 15kms out of Cowra, I came across a tree blocking traffic in both directions.
Just what I needed, right?
Thankfully, a nice couple in a four-wheel drive told me about a dirt road which by-passed the fallen tree and came back out on the Lachlan Valley Way about half a kilometre down the road.
After my issues earlier ion the week, I was not all that excited about hitting the dirt roads again.
The couple in the four-wheel drive said they were going that way too and would follow me in case I got stuck.
I didn’t and I walked into the assembly hall one minute before Lilia received her award.
Great result.
I thought I put a stop to the rain when I put new windscreen wipers on my ute.
It worked for a day in Parkes, but when I got up on Monday morning to drive to work, it was raining again.
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We go to the polls this weekend and I can’t help feeling country voters have been largely overlooked again.
Even when there is an announcement of rural importance, it nearly feels like an afterthought.
Like previous elections, this final week beckons as a re-hash of old promises by the major parties wrapped up to look like new ones.
I am undecided on which way I will vote as this will be my first in the Riverina.