Keeping me out of the kitchen........

After all my culinary endeavours Bill decided it was time to get me out of the kitchen and back on the road.  We decided that we would head off to NSW and visit the Capertee Valley as we had been unable to get there last year due to the wild weather.  We packed the van and left home on a fine sunny day and made our way to Benalla where we stopped to pick up some shopping before taking the road north.

We stopped that afternoon at Yerong Creek and stayed the night at the rec ground this time enjoying the evening under the awning.  The next morning we drove to The Rock Nature Park and spent an hour or so with the birdies.  On the way out we stopped to check out this colourful Tree Goanna.

We stopped for lunch at the park in Junee and found it had quite a history.  The plaque tells us that it was refurbished and opened on the occasion of the Olympic Torch coming through Junee on 17 August 2006.   The park was also used as a stop over point for the Olympic Torch in 1956 when it was en route to Melbourne.

We continued on, passing through Cootamundra and Young before stopping for the night at Touts Lookout in Monteagle.  This was a small picnic area where camping was permitted and we enjoyed a lovely afternoon and evening enjoying the most amazing view.

The next day we made our way to Cowra, driving through the country lanes and passing through the tiny township of Bendick Murrell.  We camped just out of town at Farliegh Reserve beside the Lachlan River.  We set up and then drove back into Cowra to pick up some bits and pieces before returning to watch the river flow by and be entertained by the birds.  And just like home there were dozens of White Cockatoos to keep us company.

The next morning we drove to Lithgow and stopped just out of town at Lake Wallace, Wallerawang.  This was another beautiful spot to camp.  Toilets, hot showers and spectacular views all free and provided by the local council.  We love these RV friendly towns!  

We enjoyed a walk along the lakefront and then Bill spent some time with the camera playing with some gorgeous Great Crested Grebes while I organised dinner.  It rained overnight but was dry the next morning when we packed up though the skies were still very grey.

While reading the information board we discovered that Charles Darwin had visited here in 1836.  He described the countryside and the wildlife, including the very unusual Platypus, in his book 'The Voyage of the Beagle'.

Lake Wallace is a dam which was constructed in 1979.  It is fed by the Cox River and topped up with water from Fish River and Lake Lyell.  It was constructed to store water for the Wallerawang Power Station but now that the power station is closed it is a popular recreational spot for everyone to enjoy.  It was very hard to leave the next morning but we must continue on.

We drove the 10 min or so into Lithgow, stopped at the tourist information, where the tower is said to depict a miners lamp, to see if there was any new literature on The Capertee Valley and Glen Davis and then made our way there.  We arrived about 4pm and were the only people at the little camp ground.  The roads around the little town are in such bad repair I'm glad we had a 4WD.  We set ourselves up and then drove just a few km round to the Coorongooba Camp Ground in the Wollemei National Park.   

We had seen this lovely campground last time we were here and wanted to see if we could get the van in.  We could and so after one night and a shower the next morning we moved to Coorongooba where we stayed for the next seven days.   But first at Glen Davis we enjoyed the mild evening watching the birds settle for the night and we did too.

The next morning we relocated and it was a slow bumpy drive over to Coorongooba camp ground but once in the National Park the road improved and soon after we had picked our spot and set up camp.  The view of the canyon walls from here was just spectacular and I don't think we would tire of it any time soon.

While eating our lunch a few hours later I looked up and was surprised by a rather large Tree Goanna walking across the grass towards us.  He just passed by totally unconcerned on his way to the river.

Just hope we don't meet him him in the dark!

After lunch we drove out and visited a couple of the numbered bird sites where Bill had some fun at one with some Rainbow Bee Eaters and Red Rumped Parrots.

Back at home we were watching the many wallabies grazing on the grass when I heard a scratching sound and looked up to see a Lyrebird working along the forest floor across the road from us.  We watched it for ages and were thrilled as we have never seen one so close in the wild before.

The next morning we drove through the valley looking at a number of bird sites.  You may remember there is a numbered trail from 1 - 19 and we looked at No's 8 - 14.  We did not see the same variety as when we were here last time in spring but it was a lovely drive.

The following day we drove into Ilford as we tried to find a phone signal.  I'm really not sure how these people live and work out this way with such poor communication especially in this so called 'switched on' world we live in.  It really is a huge black spot out here.  We stopped and enjoyed a coffee at Running Stream and then returned checking out sites 1 - 7 on the way back.   We found one spot on the way back in to Glen Davis where our text went through so all was good.

Waking up the next day we found our beautiful blue sky had deserted us and a grey drizzling day was dawning.  We drove into Lithgow to meet Anita and Greg who were driving over from Canberra to join us for a few days.  We did some shopping and had a coffee while we waited to hear from them and found this statue of  Marjory Jackson 'The Lithgow Flash'.  

Soon after we met up with the travellers and they followed us back into Coorongooba.  It was still grey and drizzly but we were not to be deterred and had a great time catching up over a beverage or three.  Anita's homemade pizza for dinner that night was very tasty and just the thing to go with the red wine we were drinking.

Last time we where staying in Glen Davis we didn't go and the see the old Shale Oil plant so we decided that we would do so this time.  Waking up to a wet grey day wasn't ideal but by the time we were ready to leave for the tour the rain had stopped and there were patches of blue sky.  We met our guide at the gate and for the next couple of hours wandered through the ruins and learnt all about Australia's only attempt to commercially produce petrol from Shale Oil.

The shale oil was first discovered here around 1865 by a local grazier and it is said that there is still the largest seam of high grade oil shale in the world at this site.  The first oil lease here was granted in 1891 to a mining co which later abandoned the scheme.  The wartime shortage of petrol caused the government to organise a revival of oil shale mining and in 1940 Mr Davis (of Davis Gelatine) was persuaded to undertake the proposed development and a new company was formed.  

The National Oil Pty Ltd received much of its equipment from the abandoned Shale oil works at Newnes.  A pipeline was built so that the products could be pumped to storage tanks at Newnes Junction and it followed the route of the Newnes railway line which was removed in the 1940's.

In 1940 the first oil was produced and in 1941 some 4,273,315 gallons were produced and 170 miners were employed, living in the most primitive conditions.  The ruins of this village, known as Bagtown, could be seen as we drove in and out of the National Park.  The total population living around the mine grew to around 1600 in 1947 and by then the town boasted a school, post office, butcher, chemist, cinema, bank and general stores.  Glen Davis now has a population of just 28 and no shops or services at all.

By 1950 though, production levels were dropping as the operating cost were growing and together with years of industrial troubles, problems with retorts and the importing of Middle East crude oil the works were closed in 1952.  Much of the plant was demolished and sold at auction.  

As mentioned before it is said that this site still has the largest seam of high grade oil shale in the world but in these environmentally sensitive times it will never be mined again.  Most of the area is now in Wollemei National Park and protected from such activities.

We really enjoyed the tour and yes, the rain held off and did so until we returned to our camp ground.  We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing under the awning with Anita and Greg.  Oh and I did make the promised brownies for dessert that night.

We thought the weather was going to improve on Sunday morning as we woke to clearer skies but before long the rain returned and this time decided to stay awhile.  At least it was not cold so as long we stayed under cover we were fine.  We could not say the same for our neighbouring campers who were packing up a rather large camper trailer.  They literally got soaked to the skin as they broke camp and packed up.  I guess it would need a real airing once they got home.  I hope they were able to get out of their wet clothes somewhere soon.

We enjoyed our last afternoon and evening with Anita and Greg eating, drinking, laughing and talking and really look forward to next time we camp together, though with those proper glasses Anita I think I might call it Glamping!  You really spoilt me.

The next morning we woke to a glorious morning, blue sky and sunshine and once the mist lifted from the valley it was warm and dry again.  So sorry we couldn't organise it better for you both.  Anita and Greg packed up and headed off for their long drive back home.  We got ready and drove through the valley to Rylstone where we had to pick up a couple of items from a hardware store and after a coffee there drove back to Coorongooba where we spent the afternoon enjoying the serenity of this beautiful campground.

On the drive back in we passed a number of Tree Goannas and during the afternoon saw a few more as they came out of hiding after the rain.  They are very big creatures as they amble across the grass.  The wallabies enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine again and once again this young one kept us amused as it constantly tried out it's jumping techniques.  Mum was very patient with it.

We went for a wander along the Capertee River behind us and Bill found some birds to keep him busy but I went back and found a good book to finish off the afternoon with.  This lovely little Speckled Warbler was a first for Bill.

Another glorious morning saw us pack up and head off through the valley towards Rylstone.  We had heard about Dunns Swamp many times but never been in there so had decided to spend one night there and check it out.  This camp ground is in Wollemei National Park at the other end of the valley and is laid out a little differently than Coorongooba with marked sites and separate area for tents, campers and caravans.  

I'm not sure why it is called Dunns Swamp for it is anything but a swamp.  The Cudgegong River meandering through the national park allows fishing, swimming, canoeing, walking and camping along the banks.  The many rock formations throughout the park, known as Pagoda Rocks, also provide lots of interesting sights and bush walks.  It really is a lovely place and one that we will come and explore more in the future.  We will make sure it is not during school holidays though as I don't think there would be any space left.

That night as I cooked dinner  we had a visit by a cheeky lyrebird who didn't seem at all worried by Bill taking a number of pictures of him.  Obviously very used to us human campers.

The next morning it was up and off as we turned the car and headed for home.  We took an alternative route across to Bathurst driving through some lovely valleys and old towns.  We stopped and ate lunch in a lovely park in West Bathurst and then continued on to Cowra where we stayed the night at Farleigh Reserve again.  

The next morning we drove on to The Rock and stayed the night at their rec ground.  We had front row seats to the Touch Football comp that was played that night.  Lots of teams and three games across the grounds as they were heading into the finals.  

The next morning we had a look around this lovely little town, bought some goodies from the CWA shop and then made our way home from there arriving back just after lunch.  

It has been a wonderful two weeks and we have really enjoyed getting out and about and seeing some lovely new places and revisiting some others.  Our four days with Anita and Greg were a real treat and as I said we look forward to next time we catch up.  

For now though, it's time to unpack the van, do the washing and relish the extra room for a short while.

until next time...........