I've entered the twilight zone; a one street surreal wonder of a place that's a far cry from the Mansfield i grew up in.
The plan was to go horse riding and experience the true essence of the Snowy River man. I should have learnt by now - this isn't Asia. I can't just turn up out of season, with no transport, not enough money and not enough time.
Mansfield (the Aussie one) is actually quite a pleasant little place - just like my old home it seems to contain more pubs and cafes than homes, but it has a library that's actually used. That's a step-up from the illiterate Mansfield i know (and hate). Parkland, wetland, horse ranches, sheep paddocks, views of hills and mountains...yup, a big step-up.
I think I'm the only visitor to the town. I'm certainly the only one staying in the motel/backpackers lodge. So they've turned the heating off and it's freezing, doubly so for the heat lover me. Still, i have the run around of the place, huge kitchen, choice of rooms, ping pong table - but no one to play with :-( and a DVD player. So i cook stew and dumplings, wear two coats, buy some local grog, hire a couple of DVD's and catch-up on that much needed sleep. I'll just have to try another time to catch that essence de Snowy River Man.