Sat, 30th Sept, 2023 Jodie & Bryon’s place, Orange, NSW (Borenore Karsts)

Min of 5.8 degrees this morning so didn’t rush out of bed. Max to be 24 today which will be ok. Clear sky, sunny with no wind. Unfortunately they are predicting rain for Bathurst on Wednesday which will be a pain and it will be cold 13-16 max!!

Jodie and Bryon both work for the gold mine here. They haven’t been to the caves so we went with them to explore it. Lovely big picnic area alongside the little stream first with good information. I remember seeing that marble creation when we were in Gundagai.

Headed over the little bridge and along the track to a pool under the hill. We followed the path and explored. Very interesting. Lots of little birds making their homes there. Continued along and came out at a big entrance.

Bryon climbed up the rocks and found another trail to follow through the hill. Nice view down to where we were too. There is a chain to help climb up on the slippery well worn rock. Quite dark in here so we used our phone torches so some photos are a bit blurry. Got a drip coming down to add to the growing pile below it.

Jodie’s phone camera took a good photo of Bryon and I trying to get a photo of the drip.

Outside again and we followed a track around the back of the hill which only brought us back to the big entrance again. Some were climbing up the top of the hill for a view down but we didn’t bother. There is a 7km walk to another karst - might do that another time!

Back towards town through the rolling green hills similar to the Tablelands. Up a windy road to Mount Canobolas (1397m) which gets snow on it during winter. View from one side. Checked out the information boards. There is a camping ground on the way up and walks to Federal Falls to check out another time. Great view from the other side over the fields but today there is a lot of smoke haze.

We drove back down then around the base of the mountain. There is a lake at the bottom where lots of people were enjoying the warm day. We turned off and drove up the hillside to one of the many wineries around here - Borrodell Estate. Very nice sitting out under the trees enjoying a nice glass of wine. They make apple cider too, hence all the apple trees behind us.

I think Bryon’s selfie was better than mine!

Bright flowers as we drove back down and the lines of grape vines with all the new shoots just starting to show.

Back along the only flat road in Orange (according to Bryon) which is lined with lovely Poplars. I had trouble getting a level photo from the back seat!

Around to where their new house is being built. It will be a great family home for them. Sam is now moving down to work in the mine too so they have a border to start with. They are hoping to be by Christmas but it looks like there is still a lot to be done yet.

As we headed back home I saw a sign about a house (Emmaville Cottage) being the home of Banjo Patterson - will have to come back and check that out. Back home for a lovely lunch then into town for a wander. Lovely trees in the park. Found a few history boards too.

They have sections of the old curbing here too.

Originally this area was called Blackman’s Swamp. In the late 1820s Major Thomas Mitchell renamed it ‘Orange’ after the Prince of Orange who he had been involved with in the Peninsular War in Spain.

Back home for drinks and a few games of cards which was great fun. It is lovely to be able to spend time with them both.