Sealed and gravel roads on day 3 took us to Lightning Ridge by 1.30pm. Our first and last impression of Lightning Ridge was of a very kitsch and tacky tourist trap. Gaudy looking shops painted in lurid flouro art work made us think we were in a side show alley.
Maybe we were just hungry and tired, so decided the most likely spot for lunch was the large Lightning Ridge Bowling Club. We rolled up to the bistro counter trying to make a choice before the kitchen shut down and the waitress suggested we go to the other cafe as there were lighter meals and it might suit us better. We rolled up to the cafe, there were no other diners and asked the waitress there if we could still order. Unsmilingly she told us she had just cleaned up, but as the chef was there she supposed we could still get a meal but we'd have to eat it out in the main room. Things were getting bad - we hastily decided to go for fish and chips and went out into the main bar area to get a table and a drink. The fish rolled up and it was probably the worst meal we had ever had. Sloppy tasteless fish of an indeterminate species covered in thick batter sitting on a bed of even limper chips.
Needless to say we did not linger longer at Lightning Ridge!
MoreeEvening found us in Moree and we checked into the huge Burke & Wills Motel before going off to look for an evening meal.
In large country towns, generally speaking the Services Clubs are a good bet for a meal. We have found that there is usually a high turnover of food and meals on the whole are edible. We'd wiped out the memory of our meal at Lightning Ridge by this stage and headed for the Moree Services Club.
We tried a scotch fillet steak and a nice bottle of red. It was amazing, we were totally blown away by being served a perfect piece of meat, tender, juicy and perfectly cooked. To top it all off a spanking fresh delightfully edible garden salad. You can get lucky sometimes.
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