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



TAMWORTH - POPULATION: 47,595

MONDAY 22 - TUESDAY 23.10.2012: The day dawned and we set off for downtown Tamworth - typical day, "dump point" stop outside of town, visit to the Information Centre and retail therapy. As the day proceeded Carole felt a pain in the area of her left lung. We decided to head to the Tamworth Airport Rest Area and set up camp for the evening. As is the norm with any injury or illness you are convinced that with time it will disappear! As is also the case, once the decision is made to attend to the problem it is invariably outside of "Office Hours". At 11.30pm after a number of phone calls and the pain at an unbearable level, we headed for Tamworth Base Hospital. We finally saw the Doctor at 2.30am and the initial diagnosis was a blood clot in the lung. Had to stay overnight and have further tests completed in the morning. Sybil, along with the poodles was allowed to stay in Poodle Palace in the Hospital car park - a little conspicuous by our presence!  Morning dawned and Carole was scanned and diagnosed with pneumonia - go figure! Released with pain killers and a directive to follow up with the local doctor, we returned to Tamworth Airport Rest Area and slept - struggle with the all nighters!

WOOLOMIN - POPULATION: 469

SAT 20 - SUN 21.10.2012: The intent had been to visit "all things Nundle" - all the tourist haunts that one should frequent. In talking with staff at the Fossickers Tourist Park we instead made the decision to return in January for the Tamworth Country Music Festival and stay for a 10 day period at the same park. The aim is to mix the Nundle activities with the music festival. In having "determined a plan" we thought we would make the reconnaissance drive to Tamworth. Never ones to rush, we drove 20 kms and spent a beautiful two days at Woolomin Reserve Free Camp which of course is beside the Peel River!