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Published: August 23rd 2014
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Night 2 and we camped alongside the beautiful Abercrombie River. That day we had lunch at the little old gold rush town of Tura and spent some time photographing old buildings. One in particular grabbed our attention. An 1860s style wattle and daub construction hut that used to be the bookkeeper’s cottage in gold rush times. The bookkeeper apparently was the person to weigh and pay for gold found. (Photo was included with first blog entry).
The Abercrombie River of course was in flood but we managed to find a lovely camp spot on its banks under the she oaks where someone had kindly left us a pile of discarded building timbers for firewood, so we lit up and enjoyed the warmth it provided. The next morning was COLD … of course the mist and cold air had settled on the river. Even so it took until 11am to get back on the road and head for Hill End via Bathurst. In Bathurst we fueled up and shopped a little. Sally almost managed to get wiped out at an intersection by a Bathurst dweller who was in a very big hurry. Not really even a near miss, just enough to
make me swear - a minor hiccup. We enjoyed the drive to Hill End via Turondale very much – picturesque though hilly and windy. But both wagons ploughed faithfully on without a murmur and we arrived in Hill End in good time to make camp at the Village campground – a very nice facility run by the NPWS. The next day we didn’t drive – but wandered around the streets photographing and investigating the history to our heart’s content. Old buildings seems to be becoming something of a photographic theme as you will see from the photos uploaded with this blog. Unfortunately the one thing we didn’t find was “gold” although I came away with enough small quartz samples to make Amy and Oliver proud of my rock collecting skills.
Hill End nights are very cold – and we failed miserably at getting a fire going – made lots of smoke but the NWPS firewood provided was green and everything else, kindling included, was wet. So it was an early night – probably the cold was just an excuse as we were pooped – especially Polly who is finding all this holiday “activity” hard to cope with. She is
a very sensible dog – knows when its cold outside and hasn’t asked to go out for a wee in the middle of the night once!!!!
Yesterday we spent the morning exploring further flung parts of Hill End by car – or wagon!! Up the Merlin’s Lookout where we emulated his example (he was a photographer whose photos provide a real insight into the gold rush town of Hill End) and took endless vista landscapes and shots of the “Golden Mile” which in the 1870s was littered with humpies, mines and diggings.
Finally we headed off towards Mudgee, had lunch in Gulgong (a very cute little historical old village) and pressed on for Wellington. Needing a campsite Lou started reading her new Camps 7 and we learnt of a free camp ground on the banks of the Macquarie River just west of Wellington which turned out to be heaven!!! Such a beautiful, quiet place – that is except for the Corellas, Cockatoos, parrots etc. The river was delightful and we spent a couple of hours before dinner exploring the banks and taking photos.
We were lulled into a false sense of “oh, this place is so warm”
though, and night time came as quite a shock – freezing again. Lou headed back out of the park after we arrived and came back with sufficient firewood to have a real bon fire and we managed to sit up into the night enjoying her fire starting skills. Even had marsh mellows roasted on sticks!!!! (Where were my grandchildren???) I am afraid I slept (or shivered) through the sunrise which Lou managed to catch on her camera.
On the road again by 9.30 and back into Wellington – went to the markets and got a bag of apples, pears etc. Found the local farmer’s “bloke” shop and Lou purchased a lovely pair of Rossi boots – so now we are set for walking.
And now we are camped on the foreshore of Lake Burrendong – south east of Wellington in a State Reserve which comes with all the amenities of a real caravan park all of which have been put to good use. Clouds are gathering, so perhaps we will get a good photographic sunset reflected on the waters of the Lake. Or maybe just more rain. Whatever the weather, its ok by me. I’m truly lovin’ bein’
back on the road.
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Annette Mackrill
Chilly!
I am enjoying hearing of your travels, as you are going thru familiar territory for me! I was born and raised at Gulgong, left when I got married at 20 and moved to Mudgee! Have been to Hill End, Wellington and all points further on! Glad the wagons are behaving and look forward to your next blog. Cheers, Annette