Side of the Road

It's been a busy time around the ol' homefront as of late, and one thing I think you'll particularly want to know is that, since last we spoke, I have visited not one, but two of Australia's giant roadside attractions, continuing the tradition begun in January when the Garcias took me on a fated detour through Goulburn to visit the Big Merino.

After that, I tried to visit the Giant Wine Bottle in McLaren Vale, but it was "out for repairs." I lucked out later that day with a visit to Australia's original "big thing," The Giant Scotsman in Adelaide.

So, now doubling the Giant Things count ...

I was panhandled by the Giant Gold Panner in a motel parking driveway in Bathurst, NSW (first place gold was discovered in the country).

Then, I saw the light! Blue Mountains coal mining town, Lithgow, is home to the Big Miner's Lamp. We didn't even plan this one, but I have Partner-in-Crime's excellent eye to thank (don't ask me how I missed noticing a building-sized miner's lamp on the side of the road, but somehow I did).

I, for one, am pretty impressed with the Giant Things Junket. As you can see, I'm kind of a big tiny deal.