SOMERTON

SATURDAY 8.06.2013: On the road to Tamworth to stock up Poodle Palace. On the way we had to stop at Moonbi to snap the "big chook". Must say we feel like we are playing the mother of "I Spy Games"! Have to admit as we have been travelling we have noticed that the b-i-g working dog is the pet of choice. The poodles seem rather superfluous - even more so when we don their knitted jumpers! Drove to Somerton Hotel - Cathys Tavern for an overnight stay - very rustic!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BENDEMEER - POPULATION: SEVERAL HUNDRED

WAITING FOR BREAKFAST!

THURSDAY 6 - FRIDAY 7.06.2013: Stopped in Armidale to take care of the basics and then headed for Bendemeer, a small village that Patti McClenaghan suggested we visit. Bendemeer is on the Macdonald River between Tamworth and Armidale. The first European to travel from Tamworth across the Moonbi Ranges was Edward Gostwyck Cory who took up a run at what is now Uralla around 1832 or 1833. Others followed in his wake and a run was taken up in the Bendemeer area in 1834 by a stockman named McDonald on behalf of Richard Wiseman. Those who climbed the Moonbis began to rest at the riverside where they watered their stock before crossing the river that came to bare McDonald's name. A village developed around this crossing point. When the postal service was extended to Walcha in 1851 the local office was initially known as McDonald River though it was changed to Bendemeer in 1853. Bushranger 'Thunderbolt', alias Fred Ward, held up the northern mail at Bendemeer in 1864. In 1866 the population was recorded as being 150. Had lunch at the Bendemeer Hotel and met a chap that made a point of telling us that we could stay at the Showground, but to ignore the 24 hour signs. We did and spent two relaxing days by the river.  

BENDEMEER SHOWGROUND



 

GARA RIVER, ARMIDALE



WOLLOMOMBI FALLS

WED 5.06.2013: "Wollomombi" comes from the word "Wollumbi" which means "meeting of the waters" in the local Aboriginal dialect. Wollomombi Falls at 260 metres is one of Australia's highest waterfalls. Depending on rainfall, the catchment can vary from a torrent to a trickle. The final waterfall stop was Bakers Creek Falls which are located at the head of the Metz Gorge, between Wollomombi and Armidale. 

BAKERS CREEK FALLS

 
Drove to the Hillgrove Museum - closed! Stayed at the Gara River Freedom Camp some 13 klms out of Armidale. So pleased we brought the "guard dogs". Had just finished watching the Blues win (yeah team), and a car pulled into the rest area. Motorhomes and caravans do not concern you, but a car puts you on alert. 10.30pm doors were closing and voices heard - absolutely no reaction from the poodles. Madison and Shayden implemented the "watch them come and watch them go" guard dog program. In the morning as the car exited Poodle Patrol did not even raise an eyebrow. You feel so confident with them on board!

WOLLOMOMBI FALLS



EBOR - POPULATION: 160

TUESDAY 4.06.2013: Running between Coffs Harbour and Armidale the Waterfall Way is a 200 kilometre drive along one of the most scenic routes in NSW. Passing through the picturesque Bellinger Valley up onto the Dorrigo Plateau and the New England Tablelands. First stop was at the Newell Falls which fall directly beside the road.

NEWELL FALLS

Onward to the Skywalk and Dorrigo Rainforest (Gondwana Rainforest - World Heritage Area). The Skywalk is at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. As always when walking through rainforests you feel as though you are on another planet - so surreal.

 

THE SKYWALK

 

Dangar Falls are on the Bielsdown River, which drains a large part of the Dorrigo Plateau and feeds north into the Nymboida River and ultimately the Clarence River at Grafton. We pulled into Ebor Rest Area (Freedom Camp) - saw a slab of concrete and took it! Evenings are becoming much cooler so we are glad we brought along the "living poodle water bottles" - not sure who is extracting warmth from whom!

BELLINGEN - POPULATION: 2,721

SUNDAY 2 - MONDAY 3.06.2013: Left Toormina at 12.10pm and arrived at Bellingen at 12.30pm - yes we are easing our way into our extended driving schedule! Loved Bellingen, very much like Morpeth - needed additional cash for all the craft on offer! Visited the Old Butter Factory which was first opened in 1906 and was built by well known local builder George Moore for the Upper Bellinger Co-operative Society Ltd. at a cost of 554 pounds. Carole bought a pair of hand made sandals and we drooled over many other items! We then visited The Yellow Shed - again, a shopper's paradise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bellingen is a small town on Waterfall Way. The township lies on the Bellinger River. In 1841, Government surveyor, Clement Hodgkinson visited the area. When naming newly discovered places, he preferred to use existing native place names rather than foreign ones, so he used the Gumbaynggir name for river and "Billingen" as the name of the area. We made a Laundromat stop and called in for a drink at the Federal Hotel. Great idea with large garden pots in the main street filled with herbs that the locals collect for use in their home cooking. Spent two nights at Roses Park at Thora (Gold coin donation). On day one of our stay we woke to rather a wet floor. On our last trip we realised that it was easier and more cost effective to carry casks of wine instead of bottles. We had placed a cask bladder in the fridge to cool. Minor detail - something in the fridge had pierced the bladder. It is amazing how 5 litres of unrestrained wine can impact a motorhome. Finally cleaned the fridge, rebagged all the food and dried the rugs. Pulled up to view the scenery and parked on a s-l-i-g-h-t- slope. Opened the fridge and the thawed dog's meat (blood included), slid out onto the floor - yes, another clean up ensued! 

 

TOORMINA

ROBYN, LAURIE, STELLA,
CAROLE & THE PUDDLES

WED 29 - SAT 1.06.2013: The day dawned and we dutifully woke up at 9.30am! Needless to say it was full steam ahead in an effort to leave at the scheduled departure time. We left at 10.40am and headed for Coffs Harbour to have the motorhome checked over before tackling the long haul. As we are about to embark on the b-i-g adventure we have decided to take photographs of all things BIG! The first of which was at our lunch stop at Frederickton. Outside the newsagency/post office was one rather large gorilla.

On the road again and Nav (Carole) spots a big "Poodle Cloud". Once the fumbling for the camera was completed the pictures began, but the cloud as big as it was could not be located. Finally shots were taken, but the cloud had of course moved and by the time the photo was clicked it looked more like the "Road Runner". Needless to say the driver was admonished for not pulling over!
Poodle Palace went into Watsons and we again stayed with Anette (Carole's sister). During our time at Toormina a jumper was knitted for Lucy "Pencil Case" MacKinnon (Anette's dog), and last minute shopping and tasks completed. Shayden was in need of a cut so we sent him off to "All Breeds Dog Clipping and Grooming Salon" at Sawtell. If you are in the area and your dog needs a cut this is the place to go - it would have to be Shayden's second best cut e-v-e-r! Unfortunately Sybil cut Madison and it is far removed from Shayden the Show Dog - Madison is currently wearing a large paper bag!

"SHAYDEN - SHOW DOG"

EVERYONE HAS A
PHOTO OF THE BIG
BANANA - WE
DECIDED
ON A BUNCH!





RON, LUCY, ANETTE, SUNNY &
CAROLE

"ON THE ROAD AGAIN......"

TUESDAY 28.05.2013: There have been many, many, many months spent cleaning both the house and motorhome. We have finally finished and are ready to take off on our B-I-G adventure (or misadventure), as the case may be! During the preparation time we decided to purchase sponge overlays to enhance the comfort of the mattresses. Measured one bed, bought the foam pre-cut from Clark Rubber, made up one bed and then ventured to the other one. Sponge piece was too long - strange! Then remembered we had asked that one of the beds be extended to accommodate Sybil's height (5 foot 9 1/2 inches). Yes, the bed had been made longer, but for some two years Carole (5 foot 3 inches), had been sleeping in it! What is worse is that the difference in length is visibly evident! We arrived at Laurie's place with the last of our household washing to be dried and folded - big thank you to Laurie. Spent the evening completing the final pack of Poodle Palace. The aim was for a 7.30am rise and 10.30am departure.