DAY 13 - COWRA NSW

COWRA NSW

DAY 13


With the trike in for an overnight workshop, a day around Cowra was all mine.

Firstly, back to the original, original plan.

This was due to be a stay in nearby Woodstock in what sold itself as a “Backpacker Farmstay” – with a range of accommodation from tent sites right through to $150 per night honeymoon suites.

A tent site would have suited me just fine, however after several attempts to make contact, it would seem that “Riverslea Station” has been removed from the accommodation world map, so it was never meant to be.

And here I am in Cowra.

I was probably always going to come here – I just didn’t get to experience the true splendour of Riverslea – I am genuinely disappointed however, life goes on.

After a grand total of 4 tyre punctures yesterday (yes, there was another since the last writing), today was set to be a mix of sightseeing and problem-solving.

Sightseeing was easily my first choice, so up out of the tent and a slow walk up the hill to Cowra’s famous Japanese Gardens.

At this point, a short history lesson may be appropriate before launching a critique of the gardens.

Several thousand foreign soldiers were held here in Cowra during World War 2 as POW’s.

In August 1944, about 1000 of the Japanese contingent staged an uprising in the middle of the night that became known as the “Cowra Breakout”.

The motivation behind this was the Bushido philosophy of engagement, whereby it was much more noble to be slain in battle than perish as a nameless soldier at the enemy’s hands – the Japanese were very much driven by this, hence why they did what they did.

Several hundred Japanese and some Australians were killed in the Breakout.

There is a permanent memorial and the POW Camp still remains in Cowra.

Not until the 1970’s, had memories of the past faded sufficiently for work to begin on the nearby Japanese Gardens – partly as a tribute to what had gone before, but also as a symbol of more peaceful relations after WW2.

A top-flight Japanese garden architect, Mr Nakajima was commissioned and the gardens were completed in several stages over a 10 year period 1976 – 86.

These days a $10 entry fee gains access to the gardens and cultural centre. You can also waste some money in the souvenir shop or take time to fine dine in the restaurant next door.

I settled for the gardens and cultural centre for today – about an hour snapping some photos outside and afterwards, I found the cultural centre very well presented and quite worthwhile.

I didn’t sign the visitor’s book, but plodded back down the hill for some internet time and a session with my punctured tubes,

The problem with Cathead punctures (which are the ones that I have – please see yesterday’s blog) are that they are so fine, you can’t even see them.

They bubble in water, but after this, you’re lost.

Several attempts and some eye-strain later, 4 tubes were patched and I dedicated the next hour or so to some quality hammock time.

Harry at the sometime bike shop ran some necessary repairs for me overnight and with a full quota of tubes, I am now ready for the Cathead mission to Young tomorrow......