THIS IS “RISSOLE”

Our site on the bank of a Darling River billabong at Wilcannia was superb. Previously Wilcannia did not have a good reputation, but the town has had a rejuvenation. So much history here from when the paddle steamers plied the river, taking enormous loads of wool to eventually to be packed off to England where it fetched good prices. The old buildings constructed from sandstone are beautiful.

WARRAWONG, the new caravan park had an excellent reputation on the Grey Nomads network, so we decided to stay there for a few nights. After being in a city park, it was manna to the soul to sit and watch the pelicans, ducks and egrets swim around catching yabbies and fish on the billabong. The 2 metre long goanna added to the atmosphere.

There was a big bird too; an emu, walking around the park, poking her beak in anywhere she fancied. “She just walked in, three weeks ago” said the young daughter of the owners in Reception. “She’s quiet”.

“Why is she called ‘Rissole’?” I asked. “To remind her to behave” was the unambiguous reply

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Rissole took great delight in inspecting the bikes of four bikers who arrived. She helped them remove the contents of their saddle-bags, and after they pitched their tents, she chose to sleep among them, keeping all awake by ‘honking’ most of the night.

When they left next morning Rissole was heart-broken. She trotted with them as they departed the Park, but when they sped up near the Highway, she dejectedly turned and plodded the 1km back. However her spirits lifted when the Road Gang workers arrived to spend two nights in the cabins! What will they give her?

Obviously a hand-reared bird, the thought is that she walked down from the Caravan Park in town, which had closed recently. The owners at Warrawong are not sure whether they should allow her to stay .... but we in the caravans felt she was a great attraction ... and so far she hasn’t bitten anyone!

 

RISSOLE!

 

View from our caravan of Darling Billabong