And we’re off! Week 1 on the road.

Finally we are on our way! Epic couple of weeks getting everything squared away at work, packing up the house and preparing for 6 months on the road. A string of social engagements in the mix as we close out our Sydney life ensured that we were totally spent by the time the big day came. Boxes everywhere, removalists manhandling furniture into trucks…it wasn’t until after dark that we finally piled into the car…and drove off!

Western Sydney to pick up the van, then onto the freeway and out of Sydney. Totally exhausted we rolled into Norah Head around 10pm and straight to bed.

Next morning, realising we were not actually that close to Newcastle where we were due for a breakfast engagement, it was straight back on the road and up to Stockton Beach where we met brother (uncle) Will & Soph and Dr Dave & Deb.

Cosy!

Brother (Uncle) Bill (& Angus)

Kids in the classroom

Come Monday, having farewelled our guests, we took some time to get some last minute supplies from Newcastle and get the van serviced, then late afternoon found us at the Buckets Way turnoff trying to decide whether we felt like going inland or up the coast. Inland won the day (3 for, one against, 1 abstain) and so it was as the sun went down we rolled into Gloucester….but we didn’t stay long as the Barrington river beckoned, and upon crossing it we came upon the perfect camping spot. No facilities to speak of, but a beautiful patch of grass amongst the tall trees right on the river bend, and the delightful sound of a fast flowing stream to listen to at night.

Perfect spot for breakfast

Plenty to be done when you’re on the road

My first Drone videos!

Not one to be easily tied down…back on the road, setting off to fit in Tamworth and Armidale before meeting friends in Bellingen on Friday. This lightning trip involved crossing the high country twice, first East to West and then back again via a different route West to East. The highlight was certainly our camp site in the New England National Park at Thungutti and the nearby Point Lookout. At over 1500m and hidden deep in an ancient forest, it was cold and mysterious, dew covering everything and with a heavy frost in the morning.

The surrounding countryside was beautiful, with lush green grass, dairy cows and sweet little babbling brooks everywhere you look. Apparently the climate (lots of water, cold winters and mild summers) makes it perfect for Trout breeding. Very interested to learn that Rainbow Trout are an introduced species and their wild population is artificially maintained through a government run breeding program. Not sure what the environmental implications are but the kids loved it.

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And that pretty much concludes the week. Minor incident in Dorrigo: Katie was working and the kids doing homework, so I set up our washing line on the footpath of a side street and then downloaded the complete works of Charles Dickens ($0.99 off Amazon!) only to get accosted by the proprietor of the local hotel letting me know it was ‘illegal’ to have washing on the footpath! And that brings us to Bellingen where we spent two days with families from school back home.

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Stay tuned for week two as we explore the NSW coast up to the Gold Coast.