Happy birthday Dad

89th Birthday

Spent today with Dad. He made his 89th birthday. Well done. As we all know, this will most likely be his last. At least he is hoping so.

So a tribute to him, I would like to say that he has provided a moral compass to me all my life ( well at least since I grew up and stopped giving everyone dramas.).

I learnt from him that you should think of other people, do the right thing morally as best you can and how to grow vegies.

He is a good man.

Mt Tamborine

Photos

I went to Curtis falls at Mt Tamborine this morning to try and perfect waterfall photography. Still not quite there but I am improving. I just love the blurred falling of the water within a green rainforest type of setting. See what you think of these. One day I hope to make the  perfect shot.

Bendemeer to Gold Coast

12 December 2012

Got up early this morning and was on the road by 6.00am. Uneventful drive to the Gold Coast via Cunninghams Gap. Decided to go through Boonah and Beaudesert to get to the coast. Went up the western side of Mt Tamborine and then down the eastern side, just for something different. Will be going back to Mt Tamborine on Thursday morning to get some photos of Curtis falls and of Mt Tamborine itself.

Todays travels

571 kms

Holbrook to Bemdemeer

11th December 2012

Left Holbrook around 7.30 in the morning and as I have gone about everyway to Noosa and the Gold Coast, I thought I would head up the New England Highway. So (I know I am stupid) I put my trust in the GPS. From Holbrook I headed to Young ( cherry capital of Australia), Cowra, Blayney and Bathurst. I have not been to Bayney and Bathurst for probably 25 years so it was an interesting  drive. Forgot my pillow so called into Big W in Bathurst and picked up a $6 pillow (and a hotdog). From Bathurst I headed towards Mudgee and then across to the New England Highway. Between Bathurst and Mudgee is the old Gold mining town of Sofala. I have never been there before so I thought I would drop in. Took these photos of the town, albeit a very small town with extremely narrow streets. All the houses would be lucky to be 50 sqmts in size. It was a worthwhile stop though. Still having trouble stopping at interesting places as I drive, Eventually I organise it. 

Sofala main street

The Goodfellows hall turned into a house

This bridge was made in England and transported to Australia. It was originally used on the Eastern  side of the Great Dividing Range and then dissmantled and brought to Sofala by bullock teams.

After Sofala it was onwards to Mudgee then heading east on Ulan Rd. I didn't know that there was coal mines around Mudgee. There was three coal mines on Ulan road and lots of mining vehicles. After Ulan rd I followed the GPS which had me heading to Merriwa. Merriwa is a small town 65 kms west of Scone. This is where the GPS decided it was time for some fun. So instead of going on nice sealed roads to Scone, it had me turn north and head towards Willow Tree on the New England highway. This road takes you through the Liverpool Range and is a dirt track with a lot of corrugations  Beautiful!!!!!! I cannot believe that there was traffic on this road, are these people stupid.

As you will see from the pictures below, I was high on the Liverpool Range on a dirt trck overlooking the Liverpool Plains. Actually it was a great view and I dont think many people have seen it.

Liverpool Plains

57Kms of this!!!

After getting to Willow Tree it was an easy drive to Bendemeer, which is 40kms north of Tamworth. the camping spot is at the back of the showgrounds beside (I think) Macdonalds River. Met a couple from Hervey  Bay and had a good talk  for an hour or so.
Would stay here again and might even go for a meal at the pub, could be interesting.

Bendemeer Camping

More Bendemeer

Todays travels, 845 kms.