Valerie grew up in the Hay area, and her father was one of the pioneers of aviation in the area. Her parents were sheep farmers on a large property called Norwood, on the Lachlan River, and she often used to see the area from the air in one of her father’s planes. Thus she knew, that an aerial view would be invaluable for the others on the trip to see and appreciate the landscape. This was certainly the case.
Our pilot, Phil, was part of Valerie’s extended family. This was not a commercial scenic flight, but rather a favour of Phil’s to Valerie, and we only had to pay his fuel costs.
His plane could hold the five of us.
We were soon up in the air and flying over Hay.
Near Hay are large fields devoted to agribusiness – irrigated by river water.
Now we are flying over the Lachlan River.
Lot of land near the river were inundated.
And we flew over Norwood, which once was Valerie’s family home. It was a large sheep property, and is now key part of Kalyarr National Park.
We flew over many of the buildings that made up the property – several houses, the shearing shed and shearers huts and the aircraft hanger.
Near Norwood, is a large natural lake. This is Ita Lake. It is often completely dry, but was now full of water.
And then we flew down the Lachlan River.
we were approaching The Great Cumbung Swamp – where the Lachlan joins the Murrumbidgee
It was amazing to see this great wetland from the air.
We now flew over Maude, the town we had visited earlier that day.
And then we flew along the Murrumbidgee River on the way back to Hay.
Here is a large field of Rape (Canola™) –
And now approaching Hay airport –
And good timing, storms are approaching –
Many thanks to our Pilot Phil, for an incredible flight.
