NUNDLE

SAT 19.1.2013: "BRAN NUE DAE" - Organised to attend an evening concert with Beccy Cole and Lyn Bowtell at West Tamworth Leagues Club. We busied ourselves trying N-O-T to ponder our site exit. The reversing strategy had literally been plotted and a time frame developed. Show at 5.00pm, leave at 4.00pm allowing for the drive and poodle "set up", with movement from the site to commence at 3.00pm. The occupant of the van next to us had already taken photos - we believe for any future insurance claims! "Operation Exit" commenced - Nav took up her signalling position and the park residents their prime viewing locations. 3.04pm the operation was completed without casualty! Arrived at the club somewhat early, but cannot rave enough about the quality of the show - superb. Lyn Bowtell supported Beccy Cole, with a bonus song from Adam Harvey and Libby O'Donovan. The "brave hearts" did not attempt to drive back into the site in darkness, but instead arranged to stay in the caravan park's car park . Sybil was allowed a 24 hour gloating period for the completion of a successful mission!

NUNDLE - POPULATION: 289

FRIDAY 18.1.2012: As the day dawned movement at the station began - continuous streams of people to the showers and garbage bins, caravan legs being cranked up and then the mass exoduses! We left at 11.00am for the short trek to Tamworth! Had no trouble parking at the Information Centre where we collected our bus passes and timetable. Onward to downtown Nundle and our picturesque hand picked caravan site. We booked in and proceeded to the site, minor problem - it was tucked away in a corner with very, very, very long caravans to be maneuvered past before reaching our slab! We along with the countless spectators, breathed in as we slithered into position. Who knew our previous Lake Burbury (Tasmania), 100 point turning experience would prove to be such an invaluable training tool. Sybil spent the afternoon drinking whilst Carole plotted the exit strategy!

WE WERE THE LAST IN NOT THE FIRST!
BEYOND THE WHITE CEMENT A 10' DROP!

Shayden f-i-n-a-l-l-y surfaced for a very short indoor game.

WALLABADAH - POPULATION: 746

THURSDAY 17.1.2013: We pulled in at our usual haunts - River Flats Estate and Burning Mountain Antiques, then settled in for what was for us, a l-o-n-g driving day (over 20 kms)! Patti McClenaghan had suggested we call in at the Willow Tree Inn which had been awarded the "Best Pub Steak in NSW" by the Good Pub Food Guide Awards for 2012. We arrived at Willow Tree by 3.00pm, a little late for lunch, but had a well earned refreshment. A return visit is planned.  

WILLOW TREE INN

Our next stopover was at peaceful, idyllic, desolate Wallabadah Freedom Camp. WELL, the Cowgirl Naives did not realise that fellow Tamworth trekkers would have the same travel plan! We squeezed into a corner and marvelled at the "caravan park" that once was our precious oasis! We had the local bush fireman visit every camper and issue an invaluable package of information - brochures, bound booklets. Excellent resource, plus due to the high fire alert the chap visited the area a number of times during the evening. Tamworth started early with one of the caravan occupants on his way to perform at a local pub providing the evening's entertainment. Shayden has still not emerged from the panic room so at this stage one would suggest that he is N-O-T enjoying his time away!

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

BROKE - POPULATION: 540

WEDNESDAY 16.1.2013: The Leyland Cowgirls are on the road to the Tamworth Country Music Festival. As usual, we left late in the day (by caravanning standards), but managed a stop at Dan Murphys, retail shopped for clothes, olives and sauces and still reached our favourite Broke Freedom Camp before dark. Oh the benefits of daylight saving! Weather reports had indicated heat wave conditions for Tamworth so Shayden had yesterday been sent to receive a close cut. Not sure what happened, but besides having several war wounds he is totally shell shocked. Today Shayden's world revolved around being carried to the toilet, being fed water and food from a sitting position, then cowering in the front of the motorhome (Shayden's new panic room). Not even a game would entice him to make an appearance!

LEMON TREE PASSAGE

FRIDAY 26.10.2012: Back home and straight to the doctor to check on the Navigator's state of health. Had the scan completed and there was no sign of pneumonia, blood clots or any other disorder. Diagnosis - not sure, but with time everything should right itself! Looking forward to the next sojourn to the Tamworth Country and Music Festival in January next year.

 TRAVEL IS SOOOOOO TIRING!

LAKE LIDDELL

THURSDAY 25.10.2012: Our final stopover was at the Lake Liddell Recreation Area. Just up the road from the Freedom Camp Liddell Power Station is a coal-powered thermal power station with four 500 megawatts (670,000 hp) GEC (UK) steam driven turbo alternators for a combined capacity of 2,000 megawatts (2,700,000 hp). Commissioned between 1971 and 1973, the station is located at Lake Liddell near Muswellbrook, in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia and is owned and operated by Macquarie Generation, a statutory corporation of the Government of New South Wales.




WALLABADAH - POPULATION: 746

CAROLE, FRED & KATH

WED 24.10.2012: Before leaving Tamworth we made plans to visit Kath and Fred Mitchell. We met this lovely couple when travelling to Tasmania on the Spirit of Tasmania. We loaded the very much drugged up Navigator (Carole that is), into the passenger's seat and went visiting.  Fred suggested we return home via the "scenic route" and stop for lunch at the Currabubula Hotel. We said our goodbyes and set forth with the prospect of a pleasurable counter lunch ahead. We entered the hotel and the publican greeted us - we voiced our interest in lunch and a beverage. Yes to the beverage, no to lunch, plus no to a packet of chips -  distributor had been fired and not replaced! Feeling somewhat deflated we hit the road again and on our arrival at Wallabadah Rest Area Free Camp made a sandwich!

CURRABUBULA HOTEL