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April 2016
01 April 2016
Last night as we were sitting watching the TV we heard a loud thumping, similar to someone knocking on the door but it was coming from the roof! Looking up through the hatch there was nothing to be seen and so we waited to see if it would happen again. Sure enough, a few minutes later there it was again.
Looking out through the hatch onto the roof there was nothing to be seen, but when I shone the torch up to the top of the TV aerial I got the shock of my life. There staring back at me was a bloody big owl! Of course it didn't appreciate the torch that was being shone in it's face and so before I could get my hands on a camera, it flew away.
The rest of the night went quietly and we awoke to a nice sunny day. Breakfast and packing up done we did a final check of the rig and set off down the road. Stopping in Warwick for some shopping and then onto Tenterfield for lunch.
We were following the New England Highway heading for Glen Innes when we came around a corner and saw this very large rockface as it towered over the area around Bluff Creek, and the camera yelled out to be used. Pulling into the rest area there was the chance to get a shot or two but the best one was from the roadway. Heading down the hill and stopping near the creek itself we managed to get the shot we were after.
The difference in the colours just made the scene.
Heading on towards Glen Innes Joanne decided that she needed a comfort stop so we pulled into a small road right where some more photography was required. The old railway is no longer in use but the bridge and tree's turning in colour made for great subjects.
The old railway crosses an old country road.
The sun coming through the tree's highlighted the colour nicely as the old railway crosses the road.
Photo's taken we were still a way from Glen Innes and considering a camp near Inverell, but spotting campers near the Beardy Creek in the Heritage Park gave us the chance to stop earlier. Turning around and pulling in we managed to snag a nice spot and after a quick level off, dropping the front legs to take the pressure off the hitch and turning the gas on, we were set up.
02 April 2016
Our Celtic Country campsite was a good one but we awoke to a very cool 8 degree morning. We haven't had this type of temperature, or lack of, for some time now and it sure got our attention.
Coming into Glen Innes we saw the price of diesel was 97.9c per litre so stopped and filled up. Our fuel economy has been averaging 15.5 km per litre so far so this was a welcome opportunity to fill up cheaply.
Not far out of Glen Innes we were climbing and climbing, topping out at over 1,000m and with views off into the distance we decided to see if there was a photo opportunity and so took a short detour to check out a lookout. And that was when the fun started. The track up was quite narrow but as it was bitumen we thought it would be easy, but then it changed. The track went to loose rocky gravel and then, once we were a reasonable distance past a possible turn around point there was a very large hole in the road that was too big to get around, meaning only one thing.
Attempting to reverse back down was an interesting proposition, especially when the box on the back was pulling us backwards even with the car brakes on full. So forgetting that we could dial the trailer brakes up a bit harder and use it to assist more than hinder, and that we could put the car into 4 wheel drive to give some more control at the front, the old manual method to reverse almost 12m of car and trailer was used. Thankfully we managed to get over a bit to use the grassy area rather than the rocks to steer on allowing us to get the box at the back to stay straight between the trees and then to turn in the right direction at just the right time to allow the completion of a turn and back to safety. We could have got a photo there, or even walked the rest of the way to the top to get one but...we didn't. So it turned from a photographic opportunity into a driving and vehicle lesson.
Excitement for the day over we descended down to the plain and after some more ups and downs arrived in the pleasant looking town of Inverell. After a short stop in town took Thunderbolts way to Uralla where we rejoined the New England Highway. Dropping down the Moonbies, as in Moonbi 1 and Moonbi 2, hills that we cycled up just North of Moonbi when we came this way on our round Australia ride, we eventually arrived in and passed through Tamworth.
Wanting to get off the highway again we covered some more cycle trip ground and headed down to Werris Creek, and while enjoying the climate control inside rather than the increasing temperature outside, passed through some more cropping areas to Caroona (with its free camp in the park near the store) and finally onto the donation camp at the Spring Ridge sports oval and set up camp for the rest of the day.
03 April 2016
Spring Ridge was a great spot and just before bed it was time to catch the Milky Way overhead.
Our camp at the sports oval in Spring Ridge.
The next morning we packed up and headed off through more cropping country, passing Premier before turning off onto the Black Stump Way (passing the Black Stump Rest Area where we have camped before) and into Coolah.
From Coolah it was onto Ulah where there is a large coal mining operation in the Goulburn River National Park (how that works we don't know) which is one of the worst views we have ever seen.
Morning tea was at Mudgee and then taking the Castlereigh Highway we were passing through open rolling hills, the scenery of which was very pleasant on the eye. We came to Lake Windemere nestled in between the rolling hills and which turns out to be a very large body of water. It is also a spot we need to go back and investigate some time.
Onto Ilford where we turned off to the historic gold mining town of Sofala. Up hill and down dale gave the gearbox a good work out and it was hard to keep our eyes on the road because of the stunning scenery. Dropping down into town we found a parking spot at the entrance to town as a caravan disappeared up the narrow street in front of us.
The entrance to town.
The see through house. A renovators dream.
The colourful fence behind the old Sofala Post Office.
The caravan disappeared from view and then came back along the second of the streets and so we figured that if they could make it around we could too. Then, all of a sudden Joanne says "that's Lea!" and sure enough the driver of the car and caravan was a good friend of our from way back. Yelling out and then calling up on the radio didn't work but a text message did, and Lea (with her Granddaughter Alice) returned for a catch up, walk around town and lunch with us.
Saying good by we were back into the low gears climbing out of the valley as we headed towards Bathurst. Not bothering to stop in town we headed straight for the Mount Panorama where the normal road around the mountain is also a motor racing circuit.
Stopping for a photo on pole position we then took a trip around the mountain towing the 5th wheeler, enjoying the challenge of the road with its narrowness, twists and turns and of course the views over the surrounding area from the top.
Pole position in a one horse race.
Someone lost some rubber.
Leaving Bathurst we were headed for Orange and friends Vince and Jannelle who we have worked with on the wheat, sorghum and potato's with. Finding their place and settling in, the next two days were taken up with little chores, getting the car it's 1,000km service (at 1626 km's it was just a bit over) and then some touring around including a trip to the top of Mount Canobolas which is just a short way out of town.
The view towards Sydney from the Mount Canobolas Lookout.
Small tree scene just down from the lookout on one of the walks.
05 April 2016
Leaving Orange this morning as the leaves beginning to turn on the trees was a pleasant sight and one that means we have to come back when they are in full swing. Making our way to through Cargo onto Cowra meant more climbing and descending before we turned onto the Olympic Highway and headed into Young. Young is a large town nestled in the valley and on the side of hills that surround the town.
A few kilometers out of Young was the small historic town of Wombat where we stopped for a late morning tea before we took more rolling hills and onto the wattle named town of Cootamunda, and where I think Cricket legend Don Bradman was born.
Dodging the main street of town we took the by-pass and ended up on the large double lane concrete snake that is now the Hume Highway, passing the Dog on the Tuckerbox statue before turning off into Gundagai.
Finding our way out of town we were into some serious hill country which along with the logging trucks going slow in front and the roadwork's meant it was a slow trip into Tumut for lunch.
Lunch over we headed out of Tumut and with some more climbing passed through the town of Batlow which is famous for it's apples and where almost every hillside around the district is covered in apples under netting.
Passing more forest we arrived in Tumbarumba just as the Police that had passed us not long ago were setting up a radar trap at the bottom of a long hill where the limit is 50km/h. We stopped for some fuel and then headed onto Paddy's River Falls where we thought we might get a camp spot and maybe some more photo's, but with nothing available we climbed back out and ended up at the Paddy's River Flat camp area instead. We snagged a rather unlevel spot next to the small water course that eventually drops over the edge at Paddy's River Falls where we had just been and settled in for the evening.
Paddy's River Falls as we saw it back in January 2015
06 April 2016
Along with the other nine campers that were in last night we awoke to a cool 10 degree morning. Packing up and heading off we had plenty of climbs and descents to keep us busy before cresting a large hill and stopping at the Southern Cloud Lookout which is a memorial to the plane of the same name that crashed in 1931.
Smoke from the nearby controlled burns filled the valleys and obscured some of the view from here but it was still a good view as the sun began to warm the place up.
The view ahead.
The bare dry grass hills are typical of what we have been seeing since leaving Orange and often the only green areas to be found are in the gully's that run between each hill where the water runs down feeding the willow and other deciduous trees that are quite prolific through this part of the country.
Viewing from the lookout over we were heading into the smoke as we began to pass more and more tree covered hills and valleys before eventually arriving at the Murray River and crossing into Victoria at Towong where a number of campers were enjoying their riverside camp.
A short drive later we arrived in Corryong where they have the Man from Snowy River Festival. Following the Murray River Way until we got caught behind two caravans for some distance as the road wound its way up hill and down dale again. Thankfully our morning tea break relieved us of the view blockers as we stopped at the Shelly Rest Area for a cuppa.
We pulled out onto the highway again, hoping we wouldn't get caught behind any more caravans. Turning off just before Tallangatta we followed the river through the hills and the Tallangatta Valley with its dairy farming along the river flats before turning onto the Omeo Highway and heading South.
Lunch was in the small town of Eskdale and then it was time to take a small detour out to Dartmouth. Arriving in town we found our way out to the dam and after climbing a large hill drove over the dam wall and parked up for a viewing of the area and the very low water level.
Retracing our drive we were back onto the Omeo Highway and arriving in the quaint small town of Mitta Mitta where we topped up our fuel. The lady in the store proudly informed "the road South is sealed all of the way now". She did also add that there are logging trucks on it and it (the road) is fairly narrow, so that should be fun, sealed or not.
Leaving Mitta Mitta we got a first hand taste of the narrow road and looking back in the mirror showed that both sides of the 5th wheeler were right on the fog and center line as we drove. The twists and turns of the road follow a creek as it came down the hill we were climbing. We had not selected a camp spot for tonight so decided to check them all out as we went.
Turning off the road at an official looking sign we took a rocky dirt track through the bush for a short distance where we arrived at a creek, a couple of camping spots an a toilet block. Selecting the spot just over the bridge we turned around and stopped on the bank of the Snowy Creek and that was the end of our travel today. It didn't take us long to park and level up, drop the landing gear down to take the weight off the car and then it was exploration and photography time.
Our campsite on the bank of the Snowy Creek just South of Mitta Mitta.
Snowy Creek a little further upstream from our camp.
Just before tea and as another camper came in and took a spot on the opposite side of the bridge the rain began to fall for about an hour and then as quick as it came it went leaving us to enjoy the sound of the water gurgling over the rocks as we relaxed for the evening and eventually falling asleep to it as well.
07 April 2016
The rain remained away for the rest of last night but we awoke to a cool 10 degree morning. The water next to us was warmer though as there was some steam coming off of it as we packed up and headed off again.
More climbing today and as we made our way up the mountain via the numerous hair pin bends and turns which meant a fair bit of time in second and third gears, but we were enjoying the forest and the total lack of traffic. The most frustrating part was seeing the numerous photo opportunities but nowhere to pull over and capture them.
Omeo Highway view near the top the range.
One of the many views as we neared the top of the range.
Nearing the top of the 1,300m climb we managed to stop and grab a couple of shots, including one out to the adjacent ranges before we descended back down the mountain and passing through the small hamlet of Anglers Rest. The mountains and tree's changed as we came down, gone were the tall mountain trees that make for a dense forest and in came the shorter trees and rocky outcrops being more visible. We were heading for Omeo, but not before we investigated a few camping spots along the river that once again paralleled the road.
Stopping into Jokers Flat Campground we joked with each other about the name, but once we had descended the steep entrance and negotiated our way between the trees and other campers the joke really was on us. Having seen what we wanted to we had to turn rather sharply and then jackknife ourselves to make it possible to get around some trees, but all of a sudden we were going nowhere. Two other travelers there said that the brakes on the 5th wheeler were stuck on and that explained why we couldn't move, even in 4 wheel drive. An investigation revealed that the breakaway pin wire had snagged on the hitch release handle as we turned and had pulled on the breakaway cord, locking the brakes of the 5th wheeler on! So, it was a simple fix of pushing the breakaway pin back in and the brakes released. So after all of that and then negotiating our 12m length back through the campers and the trees we needed low range 4 wheel drive to get out of the camp and back onto the main road again. All good fun and part of the learning curve.
Back on the road it was a late and quick morning tea in Omeo before dropping down the hills some more, enjoying the lush green treeless hills that are really the foothills to the Victorian Alps. Passing through Swifts Creek and along the Alpine Way saw us eventually arrive at the Tambo Creek Crossing where we have camped before, and where we pulled stumps on the days travel and settled in for the day.
Later on the travelers that told us about the brakes being on arrived and settled in nearby. Needless to say their fire and an extended happy hour ensued until the wood and the heat of the fire ran out and we all headed for the warmth of our respective homes around 9pm.
14 April 2016
Well the last few days have been rather busy and a bit of a blur. Mum's 80th Birthday celebrations went off well and since then we have been taking people to the airport, catching up with family, organising a few things we want for the car and 5er and now we are starting to look at where we are heading next. In the meantime, waking to a foggy morning it was time to get out of bed early and to head for the hills, up into the Strezlecki Range on the hunt for that photo, and here it is.
Looking out over Yarragon as it nestles below blanketed in fog.
20 April 2016
With our family commitment over we said our goodbyes and hit the open road headed towards the mountains. Stopping in Heyfield for morning tea before heading over to Maffra we then decided to take a short cut to the Alpine Highway via the town of Dargo and the dirt road beyond.
Lunch was at Brigalong before cutting across to the Dargo Road. We stopped for a look at the Wonnangatta River in the locality of Waterford as it winds its way through the mountains to join the Dargo River before we arrived at Dargo.
Arriving in the small mountain town of Dargo with its pub, store and homes built many years ago we stopped at the store and were in time for Huey to come in to collect his mail, and to be able to tell us about the road ahead. His 50 years of traveling this track sure helped and he was pretty spot on with his description.
As we left Dargo we were climbing up the steepest hills we have experienced in a long time, spending much of the time in first and second gear and in 4wd to help, and that was still on the bitumen! About 20 km's after leaving town the road turned to dirt. Rather rough and with rock coming up through the surface we spent much of the time under 60km/h and in 3rd and 4th gears, taking care to dodge the potholes, ruts, corrugations and large rocks. What a great test for our new rig, and one that it passed with flying colours and not so much as anything out of place in the back when we eventually stopped and carefully opened the door.
Coming to the turnoff we decided to take the dirt road down into the forest to see the location of the once a town called Grant, Gippsland's largest gold mining area in 1860. Driving through the bush and with nothing but some signs depicting where various buildings had once clung to the side of the hill we made our way back to the road where we continued onwards and upwards as the road followed the ridge across the mountains. Threading itself through the dead trees the road provided us with glimpses of the ranges out of either side, shrouded with smoke from the planned DWELP Burns through the area and providing a layer upon layer upon layer view as the smoke in the valleys accentuated the view.
Searching for a mountain hut at Mt Ewen we found the location but no hut. What we did find though was a small naturally built cattle race and small paddock carved out of the bush behind it.
The Bush Cattle Yard at the Mt Ewen Hut locality.
The bush cattle race.
Leaving the cattle yard it wasn't long before we were stopping again, this time for a photograph at a small dam near the locality of Treasure, before passing over two cattle grids on the boundaries of where the Treasure family have grazed their cattle on high country every summer since the 1880's along the way.
Reflections in the waterhole next to the road.
We checked out the location of the Gow's Hotel ruins as a possible campsite but decided to continue on, stopping for a brief look at the Little Woman's Grave as it sits beside the road and eventually stopping in a small clearing at the start of the King Spur Walking Track. Picking a level spot and dropping the landing gear we set up camp for the evening, hoping to be able to locate either of the Gow's or Lankey's Plain Huts shown on the map at this location in the morning.
21 April 2016
Such a peaceful night camped on the high plains of Victoria under a bright moon, and we awoke this morning to a great view out of the bedroom window, making it hard to stay in bed despite the cool morning, because of the possible photographic opportunities.
The view out of our bedroom window this morning.
Joanne went for a walk and found Gow's Hut just 100m away from where we were camped and then managed to capture the sun rising above the mountains through the dead snow gums.
Sunrise across the mountains.
Despite the map showing two huts, Gow's Hut also turns out to be Lankey's Hut. Built in 1951 by the Treasure family after they took over the high country grazing lease from the Gow Family, who had had the lease since 1888.
Lankey's Hut sits next to the high country meadow that was first used by the Gow's back in 1888.
Photography over we packed up and headed off, crossing more high country plain and meadow before starting our descent as we came closer to Mt Hotham which we could see high up on a nearby mountain. Eventually we came close enough to see the chair lift poles as they followed the ridge.
Coming into the Alpine National Park the road deteriorated dramatically, slowing our pace considerably and requiring low gears to keep our speed down as we passed over the rocky road and descended at the same time.
A smoother part as we head towards Hotham.
Looking back to where we have come from.
Arriving at the bitumen once more we took the really steep tight turn onto the Alpine Highway, grateful we didn't have to stop for oncoming traffic we began our descent into Harrietville and then Bright where we hoped we would find great colour in the trees as they turn from green to reds, oranges and yellows before shedding their leaves totally.
The main road into Bright showed great promise.
Driving around Bright it became apparent that there was varying levels of change and many of the good views spoilt by the garbage bins out for collection and power lines - grrrr, but we did manage to find some colour and enjoyed what we saw. Then we decided that the Apex Lookout might be a good place to view the town and its colours from, but...with nowhere to park and a 3hr return walk it turned into a reversing test to turn around and get back down the hill with out even seeing the view.
Leaving town slightly disappointed we managed to find the best avenue of tree's outside a vineyard where not just the tree's were turning. We stopped and before we had finished getting our shots there was three or four others stopped and doing the same thing.
Vineyard colour change.
Leaving Bright and the multitude of bike riders enjoying the bike paths and the colours, we stopped in Myrtleford for lunch before heading up to Yackandandah for a look. This cosy little town is a delight to see with its colour changes, old style shops and seemingly slower pace, even if it is busy with locals and tourists everywhere.
Onto Beechworth where we found the old Beechworth Jail had been sold ($1.75 million AUD) for development into housing. It seems such a pit to do that to such a historic building but... And then the rain began to fall as the camera came out and Joanne went for a walk.
One side of the old Beechworth Jail that housed Ned Kelly on two occasions.
Right opposite the Jail was this church and those leaves.
Photo's complete and with Joanne returning bearing gifts (Jam Doughnuts) we drove through town and headed out to the small town of Stanley where we took up residence for the night at the $10 per night campsite (with power) at the back of the sports oval.
22 April 2016
Leaving Stanley we were headed for Echuca where good friends Kim and Carolyn were also heading, and it is here that we spent a very enjoyable four days camped beside the Murray River at a location called Christies Beach. Being the Anzac Day Weekend we were expecting it to be packed but, while it was fairly full and the river quite busy with power boats and water skiers, it was still easy enough for us to get a camp spot alongside the very low level river.
It's not only low but has a blue-green algae warning as well.
Despite the low water level and algae warnings the reflections are still very nice.
Just down from our campsite on a bend in the river is this beautiful spot.
Coming in or out of Christies Beach means passing this billabong. This shot just as the sun was just in the tree tops before sunset.
26 April 2016
Happy 4th Anniversary to us. It's hard to believe but today is the fourth anniversary of our driving out of the driveway and into our new life and living on the road. And what a fabulous 4 years it has been. We have seen much and yet so little, so that means we have plenty more travel and things to see before we stop.
Today's trip was named the Murray to the Mountains trip as that is exactly what we did. Saying goodbye to Kim, Carolyn and Diesel (the Dog) we left the peaceful surrounds of Christies Beach on the Murray River and headed for the hills.
A few hours after leaving the Murray we were in Mansfield where we stopped for some up to date information on the road to Craig's Hut and camping in the area, before heading towards Mt Buller. Our plans for visiting the hut changed a little and we decided to drop the house at the bottom of the road to the top and proceed to check it out before maybe taking the house up the mountain, securing a camp either at or near the hut and then taking a visit for photographs etc.
We arrived at the seasonal toll gate for Mt Buller and Sterling and after selecting a good level spot in the gravel car park near the toll gate, unhooked the house, informed the lady who owns the coffee shop opposite the camp that we were leaving it there and going up the mountain (in case someone wondered why it was there, and so she could keep an eye on it) and took off up the dirt circuit road.
The road up the mountain was quite good and we could have taken the house but we were happy with where it was sitting in the sun. The winding road was a maximum of 40 km/h and reasonably corrugated, a sheer breeze in the car and the few campsites we saw along the way were fairly tree 'd so not much solar activity up there, but it was a definite possibility.
After about 27 km's we arrived at the turnoff to Craig's Hut and immediately had to go into low range 4wd. The narrow track climbed up through the trees, rough patches of track, some ruts and what can only be described as banks or humps of dirt across the track kept us busy trying to pick the right line. Scaling each one as the nose rose in the air and then dropped down the other side as the rear began its rise and drop and visions of being stranded on the top with the car balanced in the middle like a see-saw with neither front or rear wheels on the ground came to mind.
Joanne was beginning to wonder where we were going and passed comment saying "you didn't tell me it was going to be like this!", and my reply of "well that is what we have a four wheel drive for" probably wasn't the right response, but after probably a kilometer or two of this we arrived at the carpark and picnic area to find only one other vehicle there.
As soon as you leave the carpark the views of Mt Cobbler, Sterling and the high country come into view, and what a magnificently breathtaking view it is. With so much to see you have to force yourself to slow down and slowly drink it all in.
Approaching from the carpark Craig's Hut and the ranges unfold before your eyes.
Come on in.
Snow gums at Craig's Hut.
We enjoyed exploring the hut, the original being built as a film prop for the movie, The Man from Snowy River, this one however was the second replica after the original and it's replacement were burnt down in bush fires.
We stopped and talked with the other couple there after noticing their address (Yarragon Vic) in the Visitors Book, and it turns out they know some of our family who live in Yarragon.
We were hoping for some cloud to enhance the sunset from what seem's like the top of the world, but with clear skies decided to leave while the sun was still up. Having initially come up to see what the road was like we had turned out reconnaissance trip into the main event. Bad timing for our visit with the moon almost or full at this time meant the idea of photographing the Milky Way over the top of the hut was out the window and so we reluctantly decided to leave and head back to our house.
Back into low range 4wd to get back over the humps and we were back onto the circuit road. Not far down the road there was this rather large animal on the road as this deer ran ahead of us looking for an exit. Of course neither of us had a camera out but managed to get this shot on the phone after it had got off the road.
Not the best shot of a deer but...
A little further on in the twilight after the sun had set we came around a corner and there was a roadblock, literally. On old rotten tree had come crashing own and had blocked the roadway. So we had two choices clear it or go back and take twice the time and distance to get back by following the longer part of the circuit track.
Clearing the roadblock.
Thinking we might need to employ our new winch to drag the trunk out of the way we inspected the scene. The tree was rotten enough for us to clear enough of a path for us and anyone else after us to get past and not fall over the edge. Once we hade negotiated the clear path it was a simple task of getting down the mountain in the ever increasing dark.
Arriving in the dark back where we left our house we we relieved to find it still there and still in one piece, exactly how we left it. Settling in for the night we evaluated and processed some photographs from the day before hitting the pillow listening to the mountain stream right beside us gurgle its way down the mountain on its journey.
27 April 2016
Despite large numbers of Police and SES looking for a missing person in the area, our campsite was quiet overnight and we slept undisturbed. Joanne took her usual morning walk and managed to snap a couple of great shots.
Our campsite next to the old bridge and the toll gates to Mt Buller and Sterling.
Downstream from our overnight campsite.
Having woken to a cool 6 degree morning and the surrounding mountains blocking the sun, we packed up and headed off to Mansfield for breakfast, passing on the way the ever increasing contingent of Police, SES and other crews who had taken over the Primary School at Merrijig in their search for the missing man.
Breakfast and a walk around the shops over we left Mansfield somewhat sorry we hadn't spent more time up at Craig's Hut but after a brief discussion about returning and taking the house up the mountain we decided that we had seen what we wanted to, got some photographs of it and therefore continued on heading back towards Euroa.
Climbing over the small range and away from the mountains and courtesy of a North Westerly wind the weather had become warmer, and by the time we pulled up at our intended campsite for a few days at the Longwood Recreation Reserve it was time to get out of the warmer clothes and into something a little bit cooler.
Longwood is a small town with nothing more than a pub, general store, rock and crystal shop, some houses and a recreation reserve and gold course, but as a donation campsite it will serve us quite well for a day or two.
30 April 2016
Longwood did indeed serve us well for a camp. We unhooked the 4b and took a drive into Euroa for a bit of a look at town and some shopping. Town sure is quiet now that the Hume Highway goes past it's borders and makes getting around a lot easier. We checked out the VC Memorial to the three locals who won VC's during the wars and then headed back home to check a house that is for sale out (Joanne was ready to move in) and then to fit conduit to the underside of the 5er to put the fresh water hose in rather than having it rolled up in a bag (happy now Kim?).
Two other campers came in and enjoyed the camp, the only noise being from the trains as they passed through town on their way to Sydney.
We left the next morning and took a back roads trip through sheep country to Lockington where we took up residence in the 12 bay, town run Travelers Rest for $15 per night complete with power, water, grey water connection, free hot shower and gas BBQ. The weather closed in and poured just after we had set up.
Dorothy the caretaker came over to book us in and as it was raining Joanne invited her in to stay dry, so Dorothy (who is actually very nice) came right in and plonked herself down on the couch and we spent the next 20 or so minutes chatting about the town and the area before she left us to enjoy our stay. And with more bad weather forecast we think we will stay here for a couple of days before moving on.
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Mark Twain once said "...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - and so we will.
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