West of the mountains again

Down in Moonan Flat on Wednesday morning, it was warm enough for Jen and I to cook breakfast.

From thewarmth

Later, we stopped to view some of the coal mines at Ulan, between Cassilis and Gulgong.

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We stopped for the day in Orange and met Ange and Ant's girl, Charlotte, and then stayed with the Sullivans before meeting up with Marko, Les and Jan for a spot of golf in Blayney on Thursday. Shown below is the shot that I used to extricate myself from this deep gully.

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Polblue Swamp, Barrington Tops

Jen and I stopped on Tuesday evening at the Polblue Swamp in the Barrington Tops. There are a collection of clear streams here but it was so cold that I refrained from swimming.

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Though the timber was a bit wet, we managed to get a stable little fire burning. I used a little gas burner to boil the billy. As the sun sunk, the temperature dropped rapidly and I started putting on extra layers of clothing.

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We had been warned by a kind gentleman at the Gloucester visitor's centre that it would be mighty cold up in the mountains. "We're from Canberra; it'll be fine" was our response. Admittedly, I was surprised to find so much ice on the ground in the late afternoon. These icy outcrops were very widespread at the Polblue Swamp.

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Though warned that we ought to expect temperatures down to −9 °C, the temperature dipped below even that. In the middle of the night, the thermometer registered −10 °C. Thankfully, Jen and I were using good down bags in our tent. Though the cold did have some surprising effects: the hood of my bag was freezing to the inside surface of the tent, our gas-powered light and stove were not useful as the vapour pressure inside the gas cylinders (70:30, butane/propane) dropped almost to zero, and the camera took one photo and then conked out due to battery problems. That one photo was of Jenny's glasses that iced over during the night.

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In the morning, we took the stroll around the swamp and were impressed by the ice-scape.

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Here, Jen and I pause to soak up some of the warming sunshine. As our stove was not functional even after our walk, we postponed breakfast and headed west out of the mountains.

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The tops

We viewed a stand of rare and enormous Antarctic Beech trees.

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The view into the valley here is spectacular and a rival to those we enjoyed at the Kanangra Boyd Nat. Park in the Blue Mountains.

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Gently leaning on the rail, I take in the view from high in the Barrinton ranges.

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The warmth

The fine weather stayed with us as we stopped in at Tathra for lunch on the Monday.

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I found the water at Crowdy Bay very pleasant and ventured a dip. There are obviously dangerous rips here though, so I didn't venture out beyound my depth.

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Again, we paddled at the beach on Tuesday morning.

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Jenny enjoys the ocean in moderation.

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After morning tea, we headed west through Glouster and up into the Barrington Tops.

Newcastle

Jen and I visited Mel and Ryan in Newcastle late last month. The weather is pleasant and mild east of the Great Dividing Range. We drove to the waterfront to watch the Chinese Dong being loaded.

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The dogs enjoyed a run at a beach dedicated to canine fun.

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Here, the dogs await action from their master.

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Later, Lucky Mel won the fish tray at the Minmi Pub.

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Fine winter days

On fine days, Jen and I often walk the bridge-to-bridge circuit around Lake Burley Griffin.

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Incidentally, Jen's fine and learner-legal motorcycle is for sale. As the days continue to lengthen you're going to want at least one of these babies in your garage!

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Giving back

Jenny and I have been tidying The Fox. Jen is shown here contributing her "Obsession" to the pile of iron to be recycled.

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This comfortable velvet-covered couch found a new home at Hitler's Bunker, Bruce, with Roberto.

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The Fox is so spacious now. And luxurious for some.

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June farewells

Last month, we farewelled Lauren.

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And we farewelled Amy too. Best wishes!

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Corny

Jenny and I have started harvesting our corn crop. The field was blown down by a gale a couple of weeks ago but is still providing us with many ears.

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On a fine weekend about a fortnight back, Hodgo, Roberts and I tried fishing from the shore of Lake Burley Griffin near the museum. We had seen many fish jumping from the water during our scouting expedition in the inflatable boat. In the meantime, however, seven thousand carp had been removed from the lake and we returned with empty baskets. The lost bait made a hearty lunch for a little water-rat that swam by a few times.

From corny

Compare our casting. First me:

And then Roberto:

Puss makes a friend

Puss has made a little friend, Hamlet.

From Inflated

Here they are again, playing.

Easter Monday

The beautiful April weather coaxed a captain, a cabin boy and I to take to the water again.

From Inflated

Unsikable warship shown below.

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The destroyer takes up a defensive pose. (See video below).

At the risk of mutual destruction, I boarded the duck.

From Inflated

Our patron, Sportsco (like Wilson), is prone to misadventure. See his dramatic rescue in this short video.

We then made our way to the Lighthouse (in vain, as thirsty sailors could get no refreshment).

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Sportsco made another break for it when he couldn't get a drink.

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The destroyer and the duck exchange fire.

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Land-lubbers, large and small, enjoyed (or were confused by) the spectacle.

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In the afternoon, we finally quenched our thirst and crisped a bird.

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Easter Sunday

It was a leisurely Easter Sunday at The Fox. We took in some of the mild weather while engaging in some darts. Robbo was the victor in a game of Mickey Mouse. Jen came second and I made up the balance.

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Easter Saturday

Robbo launched onto Lake Burley Griffin on Saturday afternoon.

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A hasty repair gave way early on and Roberts had to abandon ship. (I came back for him, though).

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Without bouyancy for another beer on board, we set out across the lake. We came ashore at the museum to purge the bilge and then paddled back to the Ferry Wharf as inclement weather was bearing down on our modest vessel. (And our beer supply had been exhausted).

From Inflated

Autumnal Equinox 2010

Chris(tmas) visited us from Perth late last week and joined the chemists at the Uni Bar to congratulate Mikey on submitting his thesis. Lucky bastard.

From Stout

The Fox, on Saturday, was the venue of a combined Pinkerton party that co-incided with the Autumnal equinox. This many chemists meant that draining two kegs was a trivial matter and that chess was a certainty.

From Stout

Stout was the order of the evening, as a tribute to St. Patrick's day that had just passed. For the pleasure of guests, the lanterns were lit early.

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Though warm without a fire, I couldn't resist ignition.

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And here is a festive bunch of revellers with staying-power. Thanks, guys!

From Stout

Eden motorcycle adventure

On the weekend just passed, Jenny joined me on a motorcycle trip to the Sapphire Coast.

From Jen rides

We camped on Friday evening at a little site on Packers Swamp Road and close to Brown Mountain. Jen poses here with our little fire and in front of her tried-and-tested ZZR250. It was certainly much cooler in the mountains but we were comfortable over night in down bags.

From Jen rides

I prepared sausages on a small fire that was kindled from a little bark from the dry side of a tree, and refreshed myself with some lager th at I brewed at the start of spring. There are many features of camping in a state forest. Although there are no facilities, there is also no fee; and there are often very few nearby campers.

From Jen rides

The "Killers of Eden" were a pod of killer whales that are said to have aided whaling-parties that operated from the town many decades ago. The skeleton of the killer whale, Old Tom is on display behind Hodgo.

From Jen rides

The weather is starting to cool but the water is pleasant. Jenny and I took a dip at Eden before riding later to Tathra, our venue for Saturday evening.

From Jen rides

On Sunday, we were treated to lush scenery as we motored through the Bega valley on our return to the ACT. You could almost see smiles on the cows for this part of the country has had a fairly wet start to the year.