BACK IN DOWNTOWN LTP!

SATURDAY 9.04.2016: THE STORY OF “OUR” MONTAGUE!

On the first evening after exiting Inverell bush camp we were woken at 3.00am by “rustling”. Carole was sent out to investigate, but there was no result. Morning dawned and a sealed packet of peanuts had been eaten through and peanuts taken – deduction, a mouse. Our hitchhiker soon took on the moniker of Montigue! There were some three sleepless nights while Monty and Carole vied for the “Top Mouse” position:

1. After the first night all unopened food was either placed in a plastic container or in the microwave (ran out of room in the microwave). Commotion in the grill area – Carole with torch in hand opens the door and they lock eyes. Monty is typical of the bush mouse, long skinny nose and pin sized eyes. He did not appreciate the intrusion, but dutifully ran off.
2. Late next evening, loud munching ensues. Had bought “special” dog treats at Nundle and had forgotten that they were tucked up tightly on the shelf. Carole again came face to face with Monty as he was attempting to drag HIS dog treat down for supper. Again he stopped before exiting. Carole threw the dog treat in the garbage bag which was elevated off the ground – YEP, Monty later made his way into the bag, but escaped before Carole could seal it.
3. Off to “Bunno’s” to buy an environmentally friendly mouse trap. Set it up and Monty just loved his new feeding house - obviously he was too light to trigger the lever! Sybil tested the trap, it worked – sore finger to prove it.
4. Monty’s feeding house was refilled on a daily basis and the food was placed further in and yes, he thoroughly enjoyed his meal. We would exit the motorhome to fish and advise Madison, Shayden and Monty that we would be back soon.
   

   

   "THE BIG CHEESE - SAFE MOUSE
   TRAP". SO SAFE THAT YOU DO NOT
   CATCH THE MOUSE!

The finale to this escapade is that Montigue (in our minds):

• Has concussion from being thrown from one end of the motorhome to the other on the winding and bumpy roads.
• Is now twice his body weight and has had an absolutely fabulous road trip!
• Our dogs are being exchanged for cats and Montigue has proven he is Number One Mouse!
  

  

  MONTY'S FEEDING TRAY!



PORT MACQUARIE - POPULATION: 41,491

WEDNESDAY 6 - FRIDAY 8.04.2016: "Dumped" in Port Macquarie proper and whilst waiting to make a left hand turn, Sybil remarks that the chap filming on the corner looks at though he is with a film crew. We dutifully waved at the camera then made our way to Blackmans Point Riverlodge Caravan Park, had a relaxing afternoon and settled in for an evening of television - bit deprived of world news whilst at the bush camp! Watched the local news and a report comes on about the instalment of a roundabout and YES, there is Poodle Palace puddling up the road and NO, you could not see us waving! The aim of this stop - FISHIN', the weather - WET! We managed to catch 10 fish, two keepers, but one of those was clever enough to complete a somersault dismount off the line and slither down the boat ramp back into the river, with the physically gifted trying to catch it before it swam off!

ELLENBOROUGH - POPULATION: 359

TUESDAY 5.04.2016: We have made the decision to frequent our old fishing haunt at Port Macquarie. First stop was Michael's café at Uralla. Some 18 months ago we went through Uralla and purchased some old wares from the then owners of the house that has now been converted to the café. Although neglected, you could appreciate what a beautiful garden there had once been. The couple were in the throws of selling their house which they obviously successfully did. Well you should see the garden now! There have been many new plantings that have not yet reached maturity, but the garden has been restored to its original order and you can visualise exactly what it will look like in the future. Unfortunately the previous owner had Alzheimer's and you only hope that she has been able to revisit the garden since its resurrection. Had a beautiful lunch and enjoyed the ambience of the garden. Since our last trip to Uralla the main street seems to have had a mini makeover with many specialty stores opening. Onward to Ellenborough. Nav in her wisdom, thought she would take us down a previously unchartered course.

WELL, we thought driving into Queenstown (TAS), and the Daintree (QLD) roads were L-O-N-G and W-I-N-D-I-N-G, HAAA! Over an hour of 25-45km per hour signs, with a few "SLOW TO 60KMS" signs thrown in for good measure - not sure why as we would have driven into the great abyss if we had travelled at that speed. It was like "Police Academy" revisited, la, de, da, de, da, all the way down the hill to Ellenborough Reserve.

INVERELL - POPULATION: 9,347

THURSDAY 31.03 - MONDAY 4.04.2016: "We're off to do some fossicking, some fossicking..........." - Carole that is! This trip we are trying the Billabong Blue Sapphire and bush camping at Inverell. The bush camp set up costing $15.00 per night and $20.00 for a full day of fossicking. Lee the Camp Manager, met us at the gate and explained the set up. We drove up the 1.2km of dirt road and some 15 minutes later arrived at our destination - what a peaceful environment.

Our only care in the world was to heed the warning of keeping the dogs on leads as there were snakes about! Fossicker Peel began the first day with gusto, but by day two and three the manual labouring assistant (Sybil), had to be employed! We had decided to drive the motorhome down to the fossicking site each day and set the dogs up. Lee had found us the perfect spot so that it did not impact on cars entering or exiting. Sunday was expected to be busy so we determined we would drive down early to ensure "our spot."

CAROLE & LEE

For those that know us, an early morning start does not occur often! We were patting ourselves on the back for being the first in the car park. Lee as usual guided us into position then came up to ask if we were on QLD time. "What you talkin' about?" Daylight saving of course - no wonder we were able to park with ease, it was 7.45AM NOT 8.45AM! NOT HAPPY! We sat down and had a leisurely breakfast.

We have had an excellent time here and the fossicker actually found "some colour." Have to add though, three days of hard slog and just as we are leaving Carole looks to the ground and picks up the largest sapphire she has found in her time here! Lee has enhanced our experience by passing on of all his fossicking expertise - the amateurs were very appreciative.

ORIGINAL TOILET

BUSH DOG!

BILLABONG BLUE
CAMP KITCHEN

Spent Monday evening back at Guyra Mother of Ducks free camp. Visited the local Bowls/Golf Club and made our usual club donation. People wonder why free camping areas are closing. At Guyra the camping area signage is very evident. Guess where one of the motorhomes parked overnight!

GUYRA - POPULATION: 1,947

WED 30.03.2016: Began the day with coffee and cake at the Nundle. Mount Misery Gold Mine Café. How to entertain a blind dog - Carole on entering the motorhome caught her leg in the car door. Pulled out the flat ice pack to minimise the bruising. We arrived at Uralla, went shopping and left the ice pack on the seat. On our return Shayden had climbed up, retrieved the ice pack and was sucking on it - one well might ask why! Obviously meat smells from the freezer were on the pack and a blind dog is led by his nose. Fortunately he did not bite through the plastic! Stayed at the Guyra Mother of Ducks Lagoon free camp. Guyra (founded in 1885), is located to one side of the Mother of Ducks Lagoon which is contained within a now extinct volcanic crater. The Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve has been placed on the Register of the National Estate.

The village has built an excellent outdoor gym for use by the energetic among us. Tis a sad indictment on your lifestyle when you fail A-L-L the fitness entry criteria:
"IMPORTANT: If you have a medical condition, are overweight, are aged over 40 or haven't exercised regularly in a long time,................."

NUNDLE

MONDAY 28 - TUESDAY 29.03.2016: Had a relaxing two days in Nundle, completed the domestics and prepared for our foray into the bush.

NUNDLE

SUNDAY 27.03.2016: One cannot ever have too much fortune, so we backed up today to ensure future prosperity! Of course Fossicker Peel tried the gold panning - each person was provided with a pan of dirt and told that there would DEFINITELY be some specks of gold to be found and if you were lucky a nugget. Should have prefaced that with, in most cases you should find a speck! Carole had to be provided with a second pan of dirt and then the official in charge for some reason felt the need to help the "old girl" and kept taking the pan from Carole - went down r-e-a-l-l-y well! Did find some specks, but unfortunately it was the chap and not Carole. It could be said that the little girl (Carole that is), was a little frustrated!

 

HEATH ATKINSON & KIM SOMMERVILLE

NUNDLE

SAT 26.03.2016: What a difference a day makes! The 2016 Nundle Go for Gold Chinese Festival includes striking lion and dragon dances twice daily by the Australian Yau Kung Mu Association & traditional Chinese dance by the Multicultural Communities Council of NSW. You can pan for Nundle gold worth $1,000, listen to music by the Sax Summitt, David Wei and Eva Timms, Lou Bradley, Brendan Nawrocki, Jeff Gibson, and John Krsulja, visit nearly 100 food, produce, craft and bric-a-brac market stalls, antique toy display, magician, Library on the Lawn, Chinese-themed craft and Woolomin Public School P&C animal nursery.



HEATH ATKINSON, BARNABY JOYCE &
THE MAYOR OF TAMWORTH

CAROLE SEEKING GOOD FORTUNE BY
FEEDING THE DRAGON MONEY - ALL
PROCEEDS WENT TO THE NUNDLE FESTIVAL



LOU BRADLEY

Watched the night show by the Australian Yau Kung Mu Association lion and tiger dancers, but unfortunately there were no clear photos!