ARMIDALE - 25 TO 30 NOVEMBER 2020

25 November

At Walcha, we visited relatives and had lunch at an old pub converted into a cafe. The gardens were a treat and we sat around a garden bench beneath a cabana of wisteria enjoying our food.

Next stop was Armidale, where we settled into the Highlander Camp and later had dinner with our daughter, Kara who was doing intern work there for the three months.

26 November

We drove to Gara Gorge in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

We parked the car and followed the track on a 5.5 loop track. The scenery started off as a slow moving creek amongst the granite boulders. The track was an old aqueduct of sorts so it was relatively flat. The creek gradually disappeared from view as it cut deeper into the valley. The boulders became a dominated feature along with a variety of wild flowers.

We eventually reached a viewpoint where the creek was far below us. The track veered inland and became a meandering track through the grasses, logs and trees.

We soaked our feet in the water for awhile at the end of the hike as the temperature and the dryness of the air had increased.

We drove back to the Highlands camp but it was very hot and uninviting so we moved to Big 4 camp which was cooler, greener and had a pool. Luxury!

We met up with Kara and visited her dwelling in Armidale and then had dinner in town.

27 November

Jacinta wasn’t feeling well so we had an easy day at the camp and booked another two nights.

Later in the afternoon, we drove to Uralla to visit the various lagoons.

Barley Fields Lagoon had no water and looked ordinary.

Racecourse Lagoon had no water but still looked impressive. There were some birds in the bush around the lagoon.

The final lagoon, Dangars Lagoon had water and quite a variety of aquatic birds. We watched the foraged for food in the shallow waters.

After the lagoons, we met up with Kara for dinner at the White Bull Hotel. It had a good atmosphere and food.

28 November

A mountain bike ride at Pineys Mountain Bike Park art Armidale.

A long ride with some long flowing sections. I followed the black most of the way though I became a bit lost where the track had been cleared due to logging. I hit a pole at one stage which brought me to a dead holt and took my breath away. The day was hot but it was relatively cool in the pine forest.

29 November

A mountain bike ride on the cassina track in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

A long drive to reach the picnic area and the start of the track. There was a slight setback with my front wheel buckled. Must have happened at Pineys or someone nudged the bike with their car while we were in the café yesterday. Anyway, the ride was okay but it was a bit too hot/rough for Jacinta so we only did the short track.

Back in Armidale we had coffee and cakes in the park under the shade of a park tree. Nice and cool on such a hot day.

30 November

We had an easy morning. I strolled around the ponds of the holiday camp where we were staying. The ponds had beautiful lilies in bloom, an island in the centre and koi carp.

We drove into Armidale for supplies and a new wheel for my bike.

WALCHA - 28 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2020

 

WALCHA

28 SEPTEMBER 2020

We left New England NP and stopped at Wollomombi for coffee at the general store.

Next stop was Wollomombi Falls. At the lookout, there was a awesome view of the gorge and all the falls. The gorge was very steep and rugged. There were a number of waterfalls at various points feeding into the river below.

Our next stop was Armidale for petrol then to Pines Mountain Bike Park. It was such an awesome run. I followed the black line for ages. The track varied in conditions greatly with heaps of obstacles.

Our next stop was Walcha.

We arrived at Walcha to visit Jacinta’s brother and wife – Gerry and Mary.

The late afternoon was spent chatting, eating and drinking.

29 SEPTEMBER 2020

An easy morning.

After breakfast, Gerry took me for a tour of the town and area. It was heaps of fun – the river through town and the paths, sportsgrounds, free camping area, the town buildings, various views and Aspley Falls.

Later, I got a rego check for my van. A nail was found in the tyre so I went to a tyre place and it was soon fixed.

30 SEPTEMBER 2020

Gerry, Graham (friend of Gerry) and I had an awesome ride at the mountain bike tracks at Walcha. Graham had built the tracks in the beginning. There were a lot of sticks on the tracks in parts. The best sections were a series of downhill black runs with a lot of obstacles to keep you on your toes.

After the ride, we had breakfast, packed and said our goodbyes to Mary and Gerry.

ARMIDALE AREA - HIKES, MOUNTAIN BIKE AND BIRDS - 26 APRIL TO 1 MAY

26 APRIL

Packed the van and off to Armidale with Kara. Kara is attending a course at UNE.

It was a long drive due to the steepness of the road in parts. Still, it was a pretty drive.

At Armidale, Kara settled into her room then we did a tour of the university. Later, we had KFC for dinner then I drove Kara back to the uni and I then I drove to Wollomombi Falls Campground.

It was dark so I quickly settled in and lit a fire. A couple of beers, a curious possum and a campfire to end the day.

27 APRIL

It was a cold night and I woke to a cold morning. A short drive to Edgar Falls.

The picnic area was next for the start of the Wollomombi Falls hike. It was a pleasant easy hike with kangaroos, a rabbit, a deep steep gorge, a dry rocky riverbed with small pools of water, a waterless waterfall and awesome views. The vegetation were small trees with a light ground cover.

Back at the picnic area, I had a short rest then I hiked along the Chandler View Track. This track lead along the edge of the gorge then wound steeply down to a point promontory. The views of the mountains and gorge were spectacular with a breathtakingly steep drop off.

Next stop was Wollomombi village. I had coffee in a rustic cafe/general store.

The day was still young as I drove to Barokee Campground in Cathedral Rocks National Park. I set up camp then hiked the Cathedral Rocks Loop and Summit tracks. An awesome and longish hike along an easy track until the last part of the summit track. The last part involved scrambling over and under boulders and holding onto a heavy chain to climb the last boulder just before the relatively flat summit. The view was great over the surrounding area. Feeling like the king of the mountain balanced on the highest stone.

I arrived back at camp tired and a bit sore.  Time for campfire, dinner and rest.

28 APRIL

A absolutely freezing night. Brr. I called Kara who wasn't well so after breakfast, it was a beeline back to Armidale.

We sorted out the problem and I dropped her at her lectures.

I decided to camp at the showground at Armidale so that I was closer for Kara.

I drove to Bakers Falls next but there was no water but the view was nice.

I had a sleep as i didn't sleep too much due to the cold. When I woke, I felt much better and drove to Piney Forest for the mountain bike tracks of Armidale.

The tracks were groomed and graded clearly. It was heaps of fun and I even did a few black runs.

After the ride, I picked up Kara and we had watched the ducks and correllas in the city park. Later, we had a great dinner at an Indian restaurant.

29 APRIL

Another cold night sleep. I had the best hot shower ever at a camping area. The water took awhile to warm up but when it did it was perfect.

I had a coffee at Parklands Cafe in Armidale on the outside terrace. Nice coffee and view. After that, I pick up Kara and dropped her at her lectures.

I drove to Long Point in the Oxley Rivers NP. The picnic and camping area were laid out well in the landscape. I decided that a mountain bike ride on the Cassinia and Chandler View Circuit tracks might be good. Well. it turned out to be a pretty awesome and long ride - long downhills, cliff edged, panoramic gorge and mountain views and various types of vegetation.

On the way back, I stopped at Hillgrove. An historic village but not really much remaining that was historic.

Back at Armidale, I had another rid eat the Piney MTB tracks . It was fun though I was a little tired and kept making mistakes.

I picked up Kara and we looked at the birds in the park and had dinner.

30 APRIL

A warmish sleep at last!

I picked up Kara and we had coffee at Parklands Cafe and then I dropped her at her lectures.

I drove to Dangar Falls in the Oxley Wild Rivers NP but there was no water to fall. I had another mountain bike ride along the various tracks to a number of lookouts - great views, fun ride, sheer cliffs beside the tracks, rough rocky terrain with tree roots, long downhills, kangaroos and birds.

I stopped at a lone but outstanding war monument on the crossroads back to Armidale. Always very moving emotionally.

Back at UNE to pick up Kara. She finished earlier so we decided to look at birdy places. First stop was Mother of Ducks Lagoon but there was no water and no ducks. Next was Dumarsq Dam. It was a bit over used, had water and a number of birds.

We had dinner in dinner in town afterwards,

1 MAY

I picked up Kara from UNE for the journey home. It was a long drive but we stopped at a number of places along the way for short stops to break up the journey.