June 5 - Wed
Not an auspicious start to our trip. We did leave home at 8.30 am, however Robyn had to visit Doc for infection in ear (good now thanks :) ). Ian meanwhile got a flat tyre (we have never had one on an outback trip and hope it stays that way).
Finally left Ryan and Nerrine's home at about 12.30 pm after setting up Eillah's painting easel which was her birthday gift.
Travelled up the picturesque Hunter Valley through to Nundle, then climbed the mountain to Sheba Dam where we set up the Camper Trailer properly, for the first time.
 | |||
| Setting up camp for the first time. Lovely position on Sheba Dam, which was built for the gold rush in this area. |
 |
| Cooking dinner in our camp oven - cold here. |
 |
| Beanies, woollen socks and boots showed how cold it was here. Water bottle at night was just lovely. |
 |
| Looking over Hanging Rock above Nundle, driving from Sheba Dam to Narrabri |
After two days, we moved onto Narrabri as we wanted to visit Mt Kaputar. If you ever want a great holiday, book a cabin via National Parks - 0267927300 - see pic below of the cabins at top of Mt K.
8 June - Saturday
Travelled Narrabri (we were camped in the showgrounds - basic but good) to Mt Kaputar - 1 1/2 to 2 hours to travel up, depending on how often you stop to take photos.
We were 1510 metres above sea level. If ever Shirley McClain came up, she would sing 'On a Clear Day you Can See Forever'. We could see 94 kms to the Warrambungles.
1932 saw 300 people walk or ride horses up here to try and pressure the Government to build a road up here. Very interesting history.
 |
| Rocky Outcrops seen from the road |
 |
| Red Rump Parrot pair on Narrabri Showground |
 | |
| You can see forever |
 |
| Rentable Cabins seen from behind trunk. Wood supplied - Double bed next to fireplace - how good is that. |
Sunday 9 June - Narrabri via Sawn Rocks to Bingera. Bingera is an amazing little town. Would be lovely to live here. We camped on the Gwydir river on Peter Rose's farm - Allawah - great fishing. Quiet and lovely.
 |
| So what giant got up here and sawed the rocks? Amazing |
 |
| And who placed these rocks into a honeycomb pattern? |
 |
| Looks like a pipe organ |
BEST CAMP - THREE DAYS on Allawah on the Gwydir River. Best bird life. We listed these:
Black fronted dotterill (minature plovers - from plover family)
Grebe
Frecked duck?
white faced blue heron
Water hens
Honey eater
Willy wag tail
crows
sulphur crested cockatoos
Gallah
azure kingfisher
friar birds
pee wee
Magpie
fly catcher - white fronted
apostle birds
three types of parrots
plovers
tree creeper
lorikeets
Tuesday 10 June
Woke to a splash of water on my face and then one into my ear - the blessings of condensation. Very heavy mist. Warren had the fire going from our lovely coals the night before. It was starry night at 1 am, but deterioted through the night and day to a heavy rain.
Lovely farmer Peter Rose came down with some yummy caramel slice for us. How is that for country hospitality?
Sun wasn't able to break through the mist . Gumboots and woollen socks - only way to keep feet warm.
Tuesday 10 June - Weather improving a little so we drove the 10 kms into Bingera for lunch and a walk around a really lovely quaint town. Memorial arbore of orange trees for fallen soldiers. Excellent.
Back at camp revved up the fire and fished - One cod and one carp.
 |
| Ian so please to get a Cod - of course this ancient line of fish went back into the river. |
 |
| You can see how busy and frantic we are. :) |
 |
| Looking over Bingera |
 |
| On the other side of the lookout - the Gwydir River |
 |
| Can you see the bend in my rod? Very large Carp!! YUK |
 | |
| Evening Reflections on the Gwydir River. |
Drove to Inverell - lovely town
Texas - quaint, rural town - lunched in the park - then the rain came again.
Millmerran - great little bakery
Toowoomba - two night stay in a cabin at the BIG4 Caravan park - very nice to be out of the rain. Super cell storm happened near Warwick during the night.
Off to Blackbutt to see our friend Kevin.
No comments:
Post a Comment