We now feel as if we are way up in sky. It is a great place Armidale and today we went off to check out the town. Had a very strong electrical storm with violent lightening, thunder and very heavy rain. I have never experienced thunder and lightening like it.
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| Parked at Armidale Showgrounds |
More storm activity today but not as bad as yesterday only the rain was heavy.
DECEMBER 3
John the caretaker warned us that a dog show was on next weekend and we may wish to move away from them.
DECEMBER 4
The first of the dog show people are starting to arrive so packed up and have now moved to a quieter place, hopefully!!!
DECEMBER 5
Not sure our decision to move was altogether wise as the wind blew extremely hard today and we seemed to rock-n-roll a lot.
DECEMBER 6
Dogs and owners are pouring into the camp ground to camp, some trying not to pay but we kept an eye on them and John chased them up.
DECEMBER 7
competitions started and we were amazed at the number of different breeds, some we hadn't seen or heard of before. There were over 500 all up. It was very entertaining watching the owners doing their preparation work, out came hair dryers, ribbons, spray bottles, scissors etc.
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| Our Favourite at the Show (Siberian Husky) |
DECEMBER 8
Local market at the showgrounds today, very small and not much to see.
DECEMBER 9
There was a Christmas village market at Kentucky so off we went on the bike (about 30 k) viewing the countryside as we went. We passed through Urella and Mike commented on having been there before. Two years ago we did a bike ride with a Ulysses group from Tamworth and lo and behold we had stopped in Kentucky for a snack and then onto Urella for lunch.
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| Town of Urella |
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| Market Day at Kentucky |
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| Return to Armidale |
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| Class Lineup |
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| Champion of Show (Borzoi, Russian breed) |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY
Hurrah, no more yapping dogs. It is amazing how quiet it is here now after having the company of 500 + dogs and about 200 people.
DECEMBER 11
Freezing cold here today and if this continues will have to fish out warm clothes.
DECEMBER 12
Still cold. Went off to Bunnings to pick up our new sink and to try and find the correct fittings, where is Steven when we need him???
Started Christmas emails while Mike did a few laps round the oval on the tractor cutting the grass, the hardest part was the caretaker trying to get him off again.
DECEMBER 13
Still cold but the sun is shining. Mike has started on the new sink, oh horrors, hate to think how long I'll be without water. Mike spent the time gluing the pipes together and getting all the fittings right as we have to compromise between Australian fittings and American Fittings.
DECEMBER 14
Lovely day so put a picnic lunch together and off we went on the bike to find some waterfalls. The road between Armidale and Coffs Harbour is called Waterfall Way with a few lovely spots to stop.
We went as far as Ebor (80K) a spectacular waterfall,
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| Waterfall Way |
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| Upper Ebor Falls |
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| Ebor Falls Lookout |
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| Total Ebor Falls |
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| Wollombie Falls |
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| Chandler Falls |
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| Falls Lookout |
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| Dingo Gate on Walk trail |
DECEMBER 16
Managed to get Christmas mail ready for posting.
DECEMBER 17
The place is a mess today, it is sink day. Mike has put in my new sink and managed to get it finished even tho he had to do three trips to Bunnings to make the pipes fit. (Where are you Steven when we need you ). Now Mike is exhausted.
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| The nervous cut. Have I measured right? |
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| It all fits and works well. |
Mike washed the van today and now it looks much better.
DECEMBER 21
This afternoon took off to buy a strap for the new TV so we don't need to pack it up each time we move.
We decided to investigate the Dangar Gorge and Falls, no water but very steep country and no doubt the falls are magic when the water is flowing. We went out to the Dumeresq Dam where there is free camping, a lovely spot. There is a lot of dissension between the City council and the Trust that runs the Showgrounds.
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| Dangar Falls |
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| Dumeresq Dam |
A hive of activity today as a local family prepared for their Christmas Day party at the Showgrounds. They have very kindly invited us (all of us at the park) to join them for the day.
We packed up between showers as leaving here Boxing Day.
DECEMBER 25
CHRISTMAS DAY.
We opened our one and only present- thanks to Annette.
We had one almighty storm and very heavy rain. Two of the families who were camping had their bedding and gear drenched and had to move to a building
We have had A WONDERFUL DAY thanks to a large local family who have Christmas at the showgrounds. Oh boy what a spread and we felt quite honoured to be included.
Went home about 9pm and then Skyped the WA family. It was great to see and chat to them.
DECEMBER 26
Finished our packing in the rain, and then off to breakfast with the Christmas family. Said our goodbyes to John and Leanne and to Garry, then headed off to Coonabarabran. We found a great spot 30k north of Coonabarabran so stayed the night (Oxley's Crossing).
DECEMBER 27
We left Oxley's Crossing and headed for Forbes. Thought we would leave the high hills behind but they seem to persist. Wonderful scenery, passed "The Dish" at Parkes and headed for Forbes. Found a great spot to park in Forbes and then discovered the council had put up a no parking sign so down the road we went until we found a suitable stop over.
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| Overnight stopover |
Arrived at the farm ready to start our farm sit. The farm is at Millbrulong, south of Wagga Wagga. Jane and Rod welcomed us and made us feel right at home.
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