Cotton Tree

Always something happening here. Mind you some of the locals are not so happy with an estimated 22,000 people coming to visit for the nine days of the National Surf Carnival. The beach road, southbound, has been reduced from 2 to 1 lane for several km and walking along the beach, a very popular morning thing, is not permitted. Parking a car anywhere nearby is just not possible. But hey I guess they will all go home eventually and Cotton Tree will revert to sleepy hollow, for a bit anyway.

The beach near Alex Headland

Billinudgel Hotel - Yelgun.

The number of times I've stayed at the truck stop at Yelgun, not knowing that there is a far better place less than 5 mins away -the Billinudgel Hotel. Just goes to show you need to get out and about and find the good spots. Besides being off the highway, away from truck nocturnal movements, friendly with a cold beer and good food, it has a quiet backyard.

Well, it seemed that way on arrival, mid afternoon. Had a beer at the bar, shoot the breeze with the barman, decided I like the place and went for a snooze before dinner. Woke to see a band setting up in the garden bar in the backyard. Oops Saturday night festivities. All of a sudden the truck stop at Yelgun is looking not so bad. Billinudgel Hotel -nice but not on Saturday night.

Had a quiet night at Yelgun as most truckers get the weekend off. Early Sunday morning a smooth transition through Brisbane and all set up in my fav CP in Cotton Tree well before lunch. Home -! or ?, hmm.

The Billi Pub.

Lawrence

Apologies: That Photo. To readers yet travelled the Hume Hwy through the Southern Tablelands of NSW and not seen the Gullen Range Windfarm near Goulburn, it totally dominates the skyline. My shot probably puts a softer light on the project.

Was just cruisin' The Pacific Highway north of Sydney but now north of Port Macquarie, it's not a good place to be. Lots of go-slows, stop-gos and diversions. The upgrade was started in 1996 and scheduled to be complete by 2020, till then it can only get better. A hard day at the office, by any measure, but finally reached The Lawrence Tavern, a cold beverage *sigh*, and a comfortable night in the backyard.

Dawn, an opportunity for a photo: Add a river, yachts, mist and early filtered light, and the previous day's toil have dissolved, nice.

The bridge at Lawrence.

The Clarence - a river somewhere.

Gumma Reserve

Cruisin' up the Pacific Hwy taking it easy. Lots of road works, lots of slower bits. Stopping at places that I know and like and sometimes venturing off the beaten track to try some new ones.

Found a really nice spot about 10km east of Macksville, Gumma Reserve on the Warrell Creek. Not too far from the South Pacific Ocean either. Actually, close enough to hear the waves breaking on the beach. Should be good listening to the ocean whilst slipping off to sleep tonight.

No points for guessing where.

Gumma Reserve - Sometimes it needs to be a panoramic shot.

Tumut River - Blowering Dam

Overnighted on the Tumut River just below the Blowering Dam for a night. I've camped here on the river below the dam wall and around the lake many times. But by far the most memorable was back in 1978 when I was privileged to see Ken Warby set a new water speed record of 511 kph. Anyway, it was a lot quieter this time, just a bit of fishing and lulling about.

Pointing the MH in a northerly direction and expect to back in Qld in about a week or so. There is a new adventure calling. But hey more of that later.

Fishing the Tumut River.

Probably gunna get there before me.

Adelong

Dropped in to see family at Adelong staying a couple of nights in the Golden Gully CP. Spent a morning exploring the ruins of the 1860s gold mine on the Adelong Creek. The ruins are an easy walk from town, mostly beside the creek on a good path, all up about 5km return.

It's getting colder, the overnight and daytime temps are coming down and the trees are showing the first sign of autumn. Thinking more and more about heading north.

In the foreground the water wheel that powered the site.

They did some amazing things channelling water.

Adelong viewed from the path along the way

A River Somewhere

My Favourite place -a river somewhere by dawn's early light.

Someone left this river running all night!

Wagga and Oura Beach

Back to Barnawartha for a few days and a fond farewell.

About this time last year the MH's differential (the thing that connects the engine to the rear wheels) pinion seal (thing that keeps the oil in the afore mentioned thing) was identified as needing replacement but the shop where I took the MH wasn't sure they could source one locally. So did some on-line investigation and got one sent from the States. Now in Wagga again to have it installed at the same place. As you may have guessed not a major leak, but best to stay on top of the maintenance.

Camped at Wilks Park, meeting up with some CMCA Highway Wanderers who attended the Stone The Crows festival over Easter. Stayed overnight at Oura Beach and swam in the Murrumbidgee River. Summer is lingering here with the temps in the low thirties, clear skies and light breeze, nice.

Maybe a stone the Corella festival could be on the cards for Oura? They've got plenty!

Corellas at Oura Beach on the Murrumbidgee River