Monday 27 December - we had a lovely drive from Moree to Warialda where we stopped at the tourist information to see a display of rocks and shells from the surrounding area, it was a pretty little town.
We drove on to Inverell - stopping for lunch and a walk around the town centre very attractive town with quite a large shopping centre.
On then to Glen Innes and out to stay at a free camp at Beardy Creek Heritage Park - it would have been a nice park if not for the rain damage. We could not drive into the main camping area so stayed outside the gate, it was close to the road but we did not notice the traffic during the night (probably no traffic).
Tuesday 28 December - We drove to Tenterfield and found that the road to Warwick was flooded and the road up through Kyogle to Woodenbong was closed due to flooding.
The only was to go was to Casino so we rang the Casino Village RV Resort.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
MOREE
Wednesday 22 December 2010 - We arrived at Moree fairly late in the day and found a fantastic little caravan park call Mehi River Caravan Park, it had 2 Thermal spar pools one hot and one cold and a swimming pool also thermal. We spent time each day in the hot pool and I dunked in and out of the cold one.
This little park had paintings as signs for everything, the toilet block was beautifully decorated for Christmas, there were (I think) ceramic lizards, frogs etc. on the walls of the block and a camp get together area. The managers were very nice and helpful and I cannot recommend this caravan park strongly enough for anyone visiting Moree. It was not an expensive park at $25 per night and 10 minutes walk from town.
Thursday 23 December - we walked into town to have a look around and buy a few forgotten essentials.
Friday 24 December - cooking day - made a boiled pineapple fruit cake and guess what - we ran out of gas - however the cake finished cooking in the warmth of the oven. Barry had said when we had the bottle filled at Fennell Bay that is did not feel full and it wasn't. Sooooooo Barry put the bottle on the trolley and set off to the office. They did not have gas or swap bottles so he walked to the main road and the nearest service station and then back again with a full bottle. THANK GOD FOR THE TROLLEY. With gas once again, I glazed a small piece of ham and it was beautiful - cooked a chicken stuffed with cranberry and macadamias.
Saturday 25 December - Christmas Day - the day started with the usual Ham and Eggs for breakfast with orange juice and Champagne - I put on a small piece of roast loin pork with the most beautiful crackling, baked potato, sweet potato, beans and glazed carrots - what a delicious dinner, we had a small Christmas pudding and brandy custard but we were too full to eat it. Christmas tea - too full to eat it and had some fruit.
Brian rang early in the morning so we had a long conversation with them while Mackenzie and Ava opened their presents. We spent a lot of the day on the computer on Skype with David, Theresa and the children which was wonderful as we were almost there with them. We went twice to the pool and back on Skype with the family again at tea time. Even though we were far away from our family we had a wonderful day with them all. Mark and Dennis were are Davids as well so they were chatting with us.
Sunday 26 December - washing day, rest day and pool day and very little to eat (left overs).
Monday 27 - left Moree for Glen Innes.
This little park had paintings as signs for everything, the toilet block was beautifully decorated for Christmas, there were (I think) ceramic lizards, frogs etc. on the walls of the block and a camp get together area. The managers were very nice and helpful and I cannot recommend this caravan park strongly enough for anyone visiting Moree. It was not an expensive park at $25 per night and 10 minutes walk from town.
Thursday 23 December - we walked into town to have a look around and buy a few forgotten essentials.
Friday 24 December - cooking day - made a boiled pineapple fruit cake and guess what - we ran out of gas - however the cake finished cooking in the warmth of the oven. Barry had said when we had the bottle filled at Fennell Bay that is did not feel full and it wasn't. Sooooooo Barry put the bottle on the trolley and set off to the office. They did not have gas or swap bottles so he walked to the main road and the nearest service station and then back again with a full bottle. THANK GOD FOR THE TROLLEY. With gas once again, I glazed a small piece of ham and it was beautiful - cooked a chicken stuffed with cranberry and macadamias.
Saturday 25 December - Christmas Day - the day started with the usual Ham and Eggs for breakfast with orange juice and Champagne - I put on a small piece of roast loin pork with the most beautiful crackling, baked potato, sweet potato, beans and glazed carrots - what a delicious dinner, we had a small Christmas pudding and brandy custard but we were too full to eat it. Christmas tea - too full to eat it and had some fruit.
Brian rang early in the morning so we had a long conversation with them while Mackenzie and Ava opened their presents. We spent a lot of the day on the computer on Skype with David, Theresa and the children which was wonderful as we were almost there with them. We went twice to the pool and back on Skype with the family again at tea time. Even though we were far away from our family we had a wonderful day with them all. Mark and Dennis were are Davids as well so they were chatting with us.
Sunday 26 December - washing day, rest day and pool day and very little to eat (left overs).
Monday 27 - left Moree for Glen Innes.
NARRABRI
Monday 20 December 2010. Today we drove out to the Australian Radio Telescope outside of Narrabri, we could see how badly the district was affected by the rain as the road had water over it in a number of spots and the road was full of potholes.
There is a bank of five telescopes on lines and they were spread out so we only actually saw one up close. There was an interesting video on Radio Telescopes and Nassa which we enjoyed. We left there and headed for the town lake, it is a picnic and camping area but was very wet so we did not stay there long before we drove back into town.
Tuesday 21st December - we walked down into town again and mooched around the shops.
Sawn Rocks Mt Kaputar National Par
Vertical Octagonal Vertical Rocks in creek bed
Wednesday 22nd December - Today we left Narrabri after a pleasant stay at the caravan and went shopping before driving out to Sawn Rocks. The hillside consisted of a formation of Octagonal Vertical pillars caused by volcanic eruptions referred to the pipe organ and is quite spectacular. Over the centuries some of these pillars have broken off and lay in the stream bed below.
From there we drove to Moree.
There is a bank of five telescopes on lines and they were spread out so we only actually saw one up close. There was an interesting video on Radio Telescopes and Nassa which we enjoyed. We left there and headed for the town lake, it is a picnic and camping area but was very wet so we did not stay there long before we drove back into town.
Tuesday 21st December - we walked down into town again and mooched around the shops.
Broken pillars in the creek bed
From there we drove to Moree.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
WARRUNBUNGLES TO NARRABRI
12th December 2010 - Warrumbungle National Park. What a beautiful park this is, it has been a few years since we were here and this time we did not go for any mountain walks, I did a few walks around and near to the caravan parking area and we were eaten alive by mosquitoes so we spent most of our time indoors and guess what - no rain - and it was hot. We had a powered site and so we could do the wathing which dried in no time, I have attached a photo
15 December 2010 - We left the National Park late in the afternoon and stopped at Coonabarabran at the John Oxley Caravan Park (a huge distance of 37km) so that we could catch up on washing and the usual car filling and maintenance. It is a pretty park with lots of grass and trees and close to town, unfortunately it is also close to the highway and the noise of truck going past all day and night was rather offputting. Again I went for a few walks to see the town. When we left the caravan park we went to The Crystal Cave - a beautiful shop full of stones mainly from around the area and a museum of the volcanic activity back to 230 million years (I think), it was so interesting and the lady behind the counter was very informative.
17 December 2010 - We drove to Narrabri and booked into the Big Sky Caravan Park (very nice) which is close to town at reasonable rates of $20.00 per night. On arrival we received a distressing phone call from Ireen (Barrys sister) telling us that their sister Doreen has cancer and is in the John Hunter Hospital, we do not know any more at this stage.
18 December - Saturday we walked into the bank and then to the local markets, we tried to buy some mosquito repellent but all the shops are sold out but the mozzies are not too bad and the weather has changed to rain and it is cold. We did a walk around town and came back to watch the cricket.
19th December - it is washing day today and have not been out of the caravan park - it is rest day. We watched Australia finish of the Poms in the test match which was soon over so we are blogging.
15 December 2010 - We left the National Park late in the afternoon and stopped at Coonabarabran at the John Oxley Caravan Park (a huge distance of 37km) so that we could catch up on washing and the usual car filling and maintenance. It is a pretty park with lots of grass and trees and close to town, unfortunately it is also close to the highway and the noise of truck going past all day and night was rather offputting. Again I went for a few walks to see the town. When we left the caravan park we went to The Crystal Cave - a beautiful shop full of stones mainly from around the area and a museum of the volcanic activity back to 230 million years (I think), it was so interesting and the lady behind the counter was very informative.
17 December 2010 - We drove to Narrabri and booked into the Big Sky Caravan Park (very nice) which is close to town at reasonable rates of $20.00 per night. On arrival we received a distressing phone call from Ireen (Barrys sister) telling us that their sister Doreen has cancer and is in the John Hunter Hospital, we do not know any more at this stage.
18 December - Saturday we walked into the bank and then to the local markets, we tried to buy some mosquito repellent but all the shops are sold out but the mozzies are not too bad and the weather has changed to rain and it is cold. We did a walk around town and came back to watch the cricket.
19th December - it is washing day today and have not been out of the caravan park - it is rest day. We watched Australia finish of the Poms in the test match which was soon over so we are blogging.
Monday, December 13, 2010
BLACKHEATH
27 November 2010
THE MEGALONG VALLEY FROM HARGREAVES LOOKOUT
Today we drove to Hargreaves and Mt Blackheath Lookouts they both overlook the Megalong Valley but from different aspects.
Then back into town to the Rhododenron Gardens and they were beautiful, it was well set out with pathways going everywhere and it was alive with colour, what a delightful garden.
A red Rhododenron
The pond at the Rhododenron Gardens
We left town and drove through Bathurst to the Vittoria State Forest to a free camp at Macquarie Woods.
28th November 2010
It was beautiful when we arrived at Macquarie Woods and was one of the best free camps we have been in.
Unfortunately on Saturday night it started to rain and it rained and rained and rained until midday Wednesday. During the afternoon we decided to try to move the motor home closer to the road and discovered that we were bogged. A fellow traveller came over and tried to tow us out but to no avail. On Thursday morning the ranger arrived, he assessed the situation and called in a firetruck to tow us out. They pulled us out without any problem but we kept going into Orange.
2 December 2010
We arrived in Orange, raining again, went food shopping did all the routine motor home jobs and booked in at Canobolis Caravan Park for 4 nights of continual rain.
6 December 2910
Drove to Parks, had my bloodtest and went to the police station at Parks to ask about the condition of the roads. We were informed that all roads were closed except for the road to Dubbo, so off we went to Dubbo.
On the way we had a look at the Parks Radio Telescope (The Dish if you remember the movie).
We arrived at Dubbo about 7.00pm and we were astounded by the damaged caused by the flood. One caravan park was completely underwater so we drove around and past the showground where we noticed vans parked there. We stayed in the showground for 5 nights as we could not drive on due to road closures.
Main Street in Dubbo under the rail bridge.
9 December 2010
Zebra
Giraffe
We spent the whole day at the Tarongo Park Western Plains Zoo and it was fantastic. Barry drove the motorhome around the 5 km walk and I got in and out taking lots of photos. There were a few spots where Barry walked in to see the animals, at the end of the day I felt I had walked 100km but enjoyed every footstep.
11 December 2010
Today we drove into town to see the old Dubbo Jail which was very interesting, we did some shopping while we were there.
Finally we were told that the road was open to Gilgandra, when we arrived we asked about the road to Coonabarabran and was told it was open but to be careful as there was still water on the road. We arrive at Coonabarabran without a problem and came out to the Warrumbungle National Park where we are now.
THE MEGALONG VALLEY FROM MT BLACKHEATH LOOKOUT
Then back into town to the Rhododenron Gardens and they were beautiful, it was well set out with pathways going everywhere and it was alive with colour, what a delightful garden.
We left town and drove through Bathurst to the Vittoria State Forest to a free camp at Macquarie Woods.
28th November 2010
It was beautiful when we arrived at Macquarie Woods and was one of the best free camps we have been in.
Unfortunately on Saturday night it started to rain and it rained and rained and rained until midday Wednesday. During the afternoon we decided to try to move the motor home closer to the road and discovered that we were bogged. A fellow traveller came over and tried to tow us out but to no avail. On Thursday morning the ranger arrived, he assessed the situation and called in a firetruck to tow us out. They pulled us out without any problem but we kept going into Orange.
2 December 2010
We arrived in Orange, raining again, went food shopping did all the routine motor home jobs and booked in at Canobolis Caravan Park for 4 nights of continual rain.
6 December 2910
Drove to Parks, had my bloodtest and went to the police station at Parks to ask about the condition of the roads. We were informed that all roads were closed except for the road to Dubbo, so off we went to Dubbo.
We arrived at Dubbo about 7.00pm and we were astounded by the damaged caused by the flood. One caravan park was completely underwater so we drove around and past the showground where we noticed vans parked there. We stayed in the showground for 5 nights as we could not drive on due to road closures.
9 December 2010
African Elephant
11 December 2010
Today we drove into town to see the old Dubbo Jail which was very interesting, we did some shopping while we were there.
Finally we were told that the road was open to Gilgandra, when we arrived we asked about the road to Coonabarabran and was told it was open but to be careful as there was still water on the road. We arrive at Coonabarabran without a problem and came out to the Warrumbungle National Park where we are now.
The Blue Mountains
25 November 2010
We left Wangi Wangi Caravann Park (the prettiest caravan park in Lake Macquarie) and travelled to the Blue Mountains staying at Blackheath Caravan Park (a beautiful setting) arriving late in the afternoon.
26 November
Walked to Govetts Leap on a bush track classed medium but we thought it should be medium to hard. The track was rough because of the rain that had fallen in the area, there was a lot of water on the track which made it difficult. The track was up hill and down dale with steep steps. There was a small cascade and pool which look inviting and Waratahs were in bloom. We came out at a lookout looking toward Pulpit Rock and finally reach Govetts Leap two and a half hours after setting out. Barry was exhausted and found the first seat available which had his name on it. While I was taking photos of the view and Blidal Veil Fallstwo people asked him if he was ok and offerred to drive him back to the caravan park. We accepted this lift and they took us back via Evans Lookout
Cascade and pond on Govetts Leap Walk
The Waratah
View of Pulpets Rock
Govetts Leap and Bridal Veil Falls
We left Wangi Wangi Caravann Park (the prettiest caravan park in Lake Macquarie) and travelled to the Blue Mountains staying at Blackheath Caravan Park (a beautiful setting) arriving late in the afternoon.
26 November
Walked to Govetts Leap on a bush track classed medium but we thought it should be medium to hard. The track was rough because of the rain that had fallen in the area, there was a lot of water on the track which made it difficult. The track was up hill and down dale with steep steps. There was a small cascade and pool which look inviting and Waratahs were in bloom. We came out at a lookout looking toward Pulpit Rock and finally reach Govetts Leap two and a half hours after setting out. Barry was exhausted and found the first seat available which had his name on it. While I was taking photos of the view and Blidal Veil Fallstwo people asked him if he was ok and offerred to drive him back to the caravan park. We accepted this lift and they took us back via Evans Lookout
View from Evans Lookout
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