Federation Way Broken Hill re-opens Saturday 27 December 2014

Federation Way in Broken Hill is the road that takes visitors and locals alike up the famous Line of Lode to the Miner's Memorial, Big Bench (and Broken Earth cafe complex-currently closed).

The road has been closed for seven months as it needed some major repairs. There were also issues with insurance to be sorted out.

Line of lode and miners memorial #brokenhill set to re-open to public after bring closed for months within days
— ABC Broken Hill (@ABCBrokenHill) December 23, 2014

Finally, it re-opened yesterday (well according to the local Barrier Daily Truth newspaper 25 December 2014 issue).

It's really great news for tourists and locals alike.

I was visiting the City earlier this month but unfortunately couldn't get up there, much to my disappointment. There was one way, but you had to pay for a tour around town to do it.

I believe the tour was a half day commitment - I guess you could always hop off after you'd been up there, but normally it's free access, so it was an expensive way to do it, and of course the time had to suit you too.

The Big Bench, Miner's Memorial (centre), Broken Earth
complex (left) and me. All on top of the Line of Lode and
all attractions accessed via Federation Way, Broken Hill

On this last trip to Broken Hill, a freelancer from the Lonely Planet was also in 'town'. We caught up several times. She's actually from Melbourne and it was her first trip to #BrokenHill.

She told me she thought of doing the tour, just to make the journey up the Line of Lode, but as mentioned, there were those restrictions so I'm not sure if she managed to visit in the end.

Anyhow, I'm very glad it has or will re-open any minute (as I'm not there, I'm not sure. Just reporting what the paper said).

Definitely it's a must for a visitor.

Enjoy the view as well.

Cheers, Jane Deany

Festival of Lights, Happy Hanukkah 2014 from www.ilovebrokenhill.com

Hanukkah Menorah, image from Wikipedia

We are in the midst of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah right now.  Hanukkah in 2014 is being celebrated between sunset of Tuesday 16th until nightfall on Wednesday 24th of December.

The corresponding dates in the Hebrew calendar are 25 Kislev to 2 or 3 Tevet in the year 5773.

This eight day festival and holiday is a story involving revolution and miracles. Here is a simple, 'Hanukkah 2014: Dates, Rituals, History and How-To's For Celebrating The Festival of Lights' article from the Huffington Post website - see also link here.

I wish everyone who is celebrating the Festival of Lights, be they in Broken Hill or anywhere around the world, a wonderful celebration.

Happy Hanukkah, cheers, Jane D

www.ilovebrokenhill.com 3 year anniversary today. I still love #BrokenHill !

I've just returned from a fantastic week in #BrokenHill celebrating my www.ilovebrokenhill.com blog's three year anniversary which is today.

Here's a tweet with an image of me from the trip. It's actually taken on the Broken Hill train station with the famous Indian Pacific train in the background, and an impressive Royal Flying Doctor model aircraft display vehicle immediately behind me.

266 posts & @IloveBrokenHill blog's 3 yrs old today.Thanks #BrokenHill & readers,cheers @JaneDeany @RoyalFlyingDoc pic.twitter.com/S9G5Ndkmq5
— Jane Deany (@ilovebrokenhill) December 8, 2014

Me with the Indian Pacific train at Christmas concert

The train was in Broken Hill on the annual Christmas concert trip where there was a performance by well known band 'Chocolate Starfish' as well as a local school choir.

There were big crowds for the 7.20am start concert and it was a lot of fun and a lovely sunny warm day.

There's always something going on in Broken Hill.

I think one of the main reasons I love Broken Hill is because I always have a great time, every time I visit, and this trip was no exception. I had a fantastic time, and there's still plenty of things to write about, especially after this very action-packed and busy trip.

Cheers, Jane Deany