Pleasure Drive at Wongarbon

On the weekend of 21st and 22nd July the Gulgong Club was invited to stay at ‘Ruby Park’ Wongarbon, a property owned by John and Joan Macarthur. When arriving at the property on Friday night, we were welcomed by a home cooked stew and vegetables provided by Joan, and a warm woolshed to bed down in.

On Saturday we awoke to a beautiful crisp sunny morning. Leisurely we organized ourselves and horses for our day out in the Beni Conservation Area. Ten sulkies pulled by a variety of horses – Standardbreds, Shetland ponies, miniature horses and a dray pulled by a Clydesdale, made for an interesting day.

We left ‘Ruby Park’ and drove through Wongarbon town. Along the way we met up with local horse enthusiasts driving three sulkies accompanied by two riders. We continued on to Beni Conservation Area. Beni Conservation Area has many tracks meandering throughout it, but we stuck to the perimeter. This took us through mainly pine and gum tree lined country scenes along winding dirt roads. After recent rainfall the surrounding country is green and lush, and looks to have promise for the man on the land.

After 15km we stopped, unharnessed and watered the horses at the nearby dam. In this clearing we relaxed and had a picnic lunch.
After lunch we continued through the forest and up and down rocky dirt roads and out back towards Wongarbon. We slowly strolled though the back streets of Wongarbon, waving to the local home owners as we passed. There was a quick stop at the pub for some and then it was back to ‘Magpie’s and Joan’s’ for a social gathering around the fire. All up we had travelled 36km.

Joan was nowhere to be seen again – probably back in the kitchen organizing our feast for dinner. John, Joan and family and friends cooked a camp oven stew for all and nibbles to boot. Will anybody be able to beat this ??
On Sunday we harnessed up and went for another drive through Wongarbon and along the railway line and then up a large hill which when looking back gave a great view of the local countryside (18km travelled)

What a wonderful weekend ! It was well organized and very successful. Thanks to John and Joan for their hospitality and for sharing a little bit of their home with Gulgong Club members.
-Susan Bridgeford