On Sunday we were lucky enough to see Melissa and her two lovely daughters - Addison and Tayla - and also saw Bruce. What a great time we had with Doreen and Ken - It was just like it had been when we lived next door.....
On Monday we drove to Maitland and stayed with our dear friends Jenni and Gordy. Last time we spent time together was back in 2011 at Glen Innes. A lot has happened in the intervening years, but it was so good to spend Quality time with them both. We are going to make sure that it isn't three years between visits next time. :)
On Tuesday 8th we headed out of Rutherford to Cessnock and the airport where we were to meet up with our niece Amanda, her daughter Ally and Amanda's partner Mark. When we got to the airport it was to find everything locked up and no-one home :( We tried to phone but no response :C So after leaving messages we decided that we would continue on our way. We will try and meet up with Amanda, Mark and Ally next visit :)
We were going to travel via the Golden Highway out to Sleepy Hollow and then up through the Bylong Valley toward Rylestone and on to Wallerawang. As we were making good time ( we were at Bylong at 1pm) we stopped to have lunch and decided to continue on to Karen and Trevor's home, getting there a day early.
Whilst at Karen and Trevor's I managed to get my hair trimmed with Karen's hairdresser, went into Lithgow several times :D and then did quite a lot of sewing on the craft for my stall that I am going to have when we go to the Australian Caravan Club's National Meet later this year. With the main sewing completed I can now work on the handsewing and the knitting of Rebecca's cardigan. I promise Beckie that it WILL get finished :D, regardless of the knobbly knuckles that I am starting to get on my fingers of my right hand. Our good Doctor will check them out when we get home :).
We have been waiting on mail and it arrived on Thursday - now we have the new rego sticker for the car and are 'legal' again - the rego doesn't expire until the 17th but good to know we have the new sticker.... Ben contacted us today and will be sending us mail - so will wait for his mail to arrive too...
On sunday the 13th the temperature got down to MINUS 4.1 outside and MINUS 0.2 in the van overnight. brrrrrrr
Frost on the spare wheel
frost on the gas cylinder cover
frost on the ground
ice balls on the Patrol
Ice on Trevor's Ute.
That night as i was going out to the van it was only MINUS 1.1 outside at 10pm brrrrrrrr
Next morning it was MINUS 5.1 degrees and we had a frozen ice drip from the sullage hose and ice on the sullage bucket
ice on the bucket
icy drip
Tuesday 15th, checked with Ben what day he posted his mail ----- but he hasn't yet!!! So we will leave Karen and Trevors on Thursday and he can post the letter to us at Berry....... Duffer that he is..... :D
Thursday 17th we left Trevors at about 9.15 am and headed down to Rydal, Hampton and Oberon. The weather beureau has been predicting snow for the past four mornings and we haven't got it yet. Checked with Oberon Police Station before we left and all the roads are clear.
Low cloud on the rise just after Rydal
Wind Turbines at Hampton
The rest area after turning toward Oberon
Arriving Oberon
The Big Trout at Oberon
We did not stop at Oberon but just drove through.
Oberon Dam
Looking toward Goulburn
Moss growing on the side of the road
There was some steep decents and some tight hair-pin bends but it was a very lovely drive.
As we neared Goulburn we went through a Village named TARALGA. This is also a village where some of our family's ancestors were based, so we stopped for a quick look.
We then kept driving and stopped at Goulburn for lunch. It was bitterly cold there and there were sleet showers coming through as we ate. We then decided that we would continue on to Moss Vale and make our way down to Kangaroo Valley. We were having 35km/h winds with gusts up to 80km/h so decided to stop at the van park in Moss Vale and wait out the wind which is supposed to ease off on Saturday ( at this time any way). So we are parked here for two nights and the heater is on :)
