Tyres and tribulations

Almost the way we went!  (We drove via Ashford).

Thanks largely to Nick and Erin's efforts we (very proudly) made the 10am check-out from our Nambucca Heads caravan park, even with taking Vaughan to the doctor and subsequent medication run.  (We were very conscious that upon arrival at Kwiambal, we would be around an hour and a half's drive from Inverell, the closest major town).

It was a very pretty drive across the mountains and we enjoyed a few stops en route.  We purchased some supplies at Inverell (including a new glass for our camp lantern) and were still reasonably optimistic of setting up camp at Kwiambal National Park before sunset.  As we traveled further though (and the roads became rougher), it became obvious that we had been too optimistic - even before the flat tyre episode!

By the time we actually reached the Lemon Tree Flat campground, there was very little light left and we worked hard to set up tents, gazebo et al by torch and lamp light - watched by possums and roos (and the odd water dragon)! 

When the tantalising smell of toasting insects became all too much, we feasted on dolmades, crackers and rather fine cheese - though kept working while munching! 

The jack and spare tyre were buried in the boot ...

V-wall

We had only intended to stay in Nambucca one or two nights but ended up staying five - partly because we were still hopeful of Nissa joining us;  mostly because it was such a lovely place to be and we were enjoying ourselves so much.

Although Nick's relocation was unavoidable, I couldn't help thinking what a rude shock Wyong would have been for him, Tanya and Dianne!

 http://www.nambucca-web.com/nambucca-rocks.htm

Fishing for compliments?!

What can I say?  We were in Nambucca and we fished - or rather they fished and I watched/took photos!  Oh, and Erin caught one!!

Hot and (Slim) Dusty?!

Actually, it did have beer (and very good hamburgers)!

As long as the drinks were cold, we didn't care what they were!

What's Yarrahapinni(ng)?!

A fellow tourist liked my camera, so took this group shot!

One of the highlights of our Nambucca stay was visiting Mount Yarrahapinni in the Yarriabini National Park.   (Nope, I can't pronounce either name)!

Nick had told us stories of the resident goannas there - and two very obligingly engaged in an intense wrestle beside our picnic table.  I decided they were too engrossed in each other to be bothered about me, so crouched down for these pics - and made good use of the zoom.  (A third, smaller goanna beat a hasty retreat up a nearby tree when these two began fighting, so I didn't want to stray too close to the action as he/she was far more limber than I).

The victor chased the loser some considerable distance before sauntering back to the picnic ground - and we kept a respectful distance from him when he returned!

Pamper campers?!

Our new camp setup - gazebo, 3-height tables and mats!

We were a lot more comfortable this camping trip - the 3-height tables proved a fantastic purchase as were our proper camping chairs.  Our backs definitely appreciated the money spent!  It was novel to be traveling with a fridge too (though we still had two large eskies as back-up).

It rained at different points during our stay, so the gazebo was another worthwhile investment.  It was our first trip with the huge table and so much bench-space was a luxury.  As we stayed in a caravan park, we weren't able to have a fire so relied on the dual fuel stove for our evening meals, which worked well as a BBQ one night with a little improvisation!

To this point, all our camping trips had been to the Forest with no shower facilities and drop loos only - so although we elected to stay on a non-powered site at Nambucca Heads, it still felt very flash to be in a caravan park with showers and flushing loos not too far away!  As much as we enjoyed the amenities block, it was definitely unusual to be in such close proximity to other campers - even though we had deliberately chosen the least busy of the three available caravan parks (and tucked ourselves into a bushy corner).