Sat, 27th Sept, 2014 Sofala

Clear skies and cooler temperature, 7 degrees at 6am. Alfresco breakfast in the sun – even had steam breath this morning but it is lovely sitting here listening to all the birds and frogs. Exercise time – collecting firewood for the camp over roast tonight. Steve off to dig for more bullets and nails. Squealing little kids this time but we have been there too so can’t complain. Just remembered my solar lights so got them out to charge in this lovely sunshine. Relaxing day for me but no joy again for Steve. Got the fire going for the camp oven roast.

Rang Sandra for a chat and directions on how to get to our hotel in Melbourne for the Cup. The roast was delicious except I forgot the pumpkin.

Sat under a clear sky by the fire watching 4 satellites pass overhead. I got out my day bed which was much easier for star gazing. Steve commented about feeling guilty not working but that was just a fleeting moment – got over that thought quickly. We are both loving this lifestyle. Rang Mum and Dad for a chat – she got our flannelette sheets from Cairns and dropped them to Louis to bring down to Bathurst. She also got another little 800w heater for $3 from the Reject Shop – great shopping mum. Temperature dropping so into the van for a coffee and more reading. Loving my Dr Scarpetta books!!

Fri, 26th Sept, 2014 Sofala to Hill End via Mudgee (sightseeing)

12 degrees at 6am and there is mist everywhere outside. Back to bed.

10 degrees at 8am but got up and said bye to our neighbours as they are heading back to Bathurst. We headed off to Mudgee as the mist was slowly lifting to show a lovely blue sky. Got a shot looking back over Sofala as we climbed the hill.

Missed the bike letterbox again but stopped at Ilford and got the train one. Steve read in a magazine about Windeyer Road off the road from Mudgee to Hills End that had a fancy letterbox competition so might check that out if we can.

Passed a sign for the Cudgegong Water Park which is on Lake Windamere. Another spot to check next time. Further up the road turned in to Windamere Dam – very big. As you drive in you go over a very high bridge which is the overflow spillway, I suppose to the original Cudgegong River. Further around is wide concrete topped stone dam wall (67m high, storage capacity of 368 000 megalitres over 2030 hectares).

Walked along the top and watched a hawk get attacked by a crow – there was a nest in the tree but not sure who actually owned it, as there were some little birds flitting around too.

 The dam smelt terrible – blue green algae all along the edge. The water is used for irrigation and the town water for Mudgee and Gulgong – the sign said that drinking the water may cause sickness but it is only temporary!!!

Drove down to the bottom of the dam wall where the picnic area is – the roar of the water being let down the channel was very loud.

Lots of wineries here and the vines have new sprouts on them.

Cattle and sheep everywhere too – the hillslopes look lovely as they are kept mowed by the animals!! Stopped at the info sign – lots to explore in the district too so another to mark on the map to come back to. There is a great combination of old and new buildings here and it is a trendy place to shop apparently.

Dropped into the bakery our neighbours, Peter & Phyllis said to try – cream bun and Danish to share. Drove into a park and had a cuppa by the creek. I checked my emails for any updates about Bathurst. Got Steve’s job – same as mine. I had emailed that his hadn’t come through and commented about the all-day shifts. She offered that we could change to gate keepers and do half day so we replied yes please. At least we will get to see some of the racing then.

Into Coles – was just for milk and bananas but things were on special and I ended up getting everything on my shopping list – lucky we have the fridge in the truck. Used the last of the Coles gift card the Tuckshop Ladies gave me as a farewell present – thanks again it was great. Filled up the fuel tank too. A lot cheaper than at Wattle Flat. We have done 4200km.

Back out of town onto the Hill End Road. Steve spotted an echidna on the road side – how he does that and keeps the truck on the road!!! Got a rear end photo and managed to get his nose before he curled into a ball.

Gentler gradient to tow the van this way to Hill End. Passed the turnoff to Valentines Mine and the Quartz Roasting Pits – something to explore another day. Stopped at Tambaroora for lunch. In 1852 Tambaroora was a settled community of 2000 people and was proclaimed as a goldfield and prospectors ransacked the nearby creeks and gullies in search of gold. Good photo showing the town in its heyday. The town declined in the 1860’s as the alluvial gold deposits ran out.

Steve spent some time detecting again in the Tambaroora Creek area while I did this blog update. But alas no gold yet again. As it is a designated area it has been flogged.

Drove towards Hill End and stopped off at the Golden Gully (on the Tambaroora Creek) where the alluvial gold mining took hold. Once miners had worked over the surface ground of their lease they would dig down to bedrock through the ancient river gravels in search of new gold bearing leads to follow. They would use big sluicing equipment.

 The results of their work are evident were erosion has exposed the underground warren of mines that once dotted the creek line. We felt like we were in a mini Grand Canyon with the Golden Arch.

Keeping an eye out for nuggets in the water!!!

Lots of Chinese worked this area too.

Into Hill End and down the road to Kissing Point Lookout. Lots of wild goats blocked the road.

This point is on top of Hawkins Hill where the Golden Quarter Mile was in 1872. The Hill End Gold Limited has the lease over all this area now. There are holes everywhere and the old road leading down the edge of the hill along all the different mine shafts etc that we saw the other day.

Doing what you do at Kissing Point!!  How's that for a selfie!!

Split rock is beside the original Bridle Track down to the Turon River and on to Bathurst. 

 It is a steep drop down the side of the mountain.

Steve upset some bull ants.

Some big kangaroos around here.

Through town again and up another road to Bald Hill Lookout which gives a great look over Hill End. Great phone reception up here too. Should have come up here while Steve was detecting and uploaded my blog, will have to wait till Bathurst now.

As the sun was setting we headed home. Steve screeched to a halt and I got a photograph of a rabbit – now we just need a wombat and koala!!

Hill End is 900m above sea level and as we headed home I watched the level climb to 950m then a steep descent to Sallys Flat at 860m then climb again to 906m and down a 3km drop to 680m, around the twisty edge of Cockatoo Hill which is under roadworks. Lovely views over the natural and cleared hills and valleys at 610m to join the Turon River again at 570m. Past the motel on the river which does take away pizzas and just when I thought of a night off from cooking, I see the closed sign!!!

Back again our neighbours have left but 3 more campervans have arrived with a few kids by the sound of it. Unpack the groceries and a quick tea and quiet night in the van.