The Travelling Novocastrians: Bingara, Manilla,Tamworth, Chaffey Dam, HOME

Last blog from our travels in 2011! Be back late February 2012.

Well, after five months and five days we have arrived home (13th October 2011)...........what a fabulous time we have had exploring Australia's Top. So much more to see and do, I doubt you would ever see it all. I will be signing off today from blogging and have thoroughly enjoyed blogging to share our wonderful trip with you. We plan to travel south next year so keep the blog in mind and look for more adventures late February 2012..... for several more months! Before signing off I must finish by adding our travels from Bingara, Manilla Tamworth and Chaffey Dam (near Nundle) and home to Newcastle.
We left Bingara on Monday 10th October 2011(after camping along the Gwydir River) and travelled along 'The Fossickers Way' to Barraba, Manilla, and onto Tamworth where we stayed the first night at the Cockburn River Camp area near Limbri. The next day took in the many sights of Tamworth, a vibrant city where each year, in late January, many people visit from around Australia for the Country Music Festival (party!) We enjoyed a few days in January this year and would love to visit for a longer period another year.
If you get the chance over the next few months a visit to the Upper Hunter, New England region and its surrounds wouldn't disappoint, the countryside is lush and green, making the scenery awesome.
Whilst in Tamworth we visited and camped, on the front lawn, at the home of a great friend and her husband. My friend and I went to primary school together in the early 60's. A treasured friendship spanning 50 years! We had a good time chatting and catching up - as always we seem to catch up from where we last finished. Thanks to you both for a delicious dinner and as always your warm and inviting hospitality.
Wednesday 12th October 2011 we left Tamworth and travelled to Chaffey Dam (near Nundle) to catch up with friends Glenda and John who we first met at Clem Walton Park in central Queensland several months ago. We camped on the dam's water edge.......another great camp site we hope to revisit sooner rather than later.
Thursday 13th October 2011 we left Chaffey Dam for our home in Newcastle. Travelling along I received a phone call from my friend Anne enquiring when I was going to be home!
We are looking forward to seeing our wonderful children, grandchildren, siblings, friends and to a big event on the 3rd December 2011 - the wedding of our youngest daughter, Nicole to her fiancee, Angus.
Until next February 2012
Cheers
Marea

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAFFEY DAM (near Nundle) NSW......

The magnifcent morning view looking out across the water of Chaffey Dam - A fantastic way to end our memorable travelling experience.

Late evening - enjoying a camp fire, good company and sundowners with our friends Glenda and John who we met at Clem Walton Park Qld some months ago.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BINGARA............

The Orange Trees lining Finch Street and circling the Gwydir Oval were planted in the 60's as a living memorial to Bingara's fallen in World War 1 and 11.

The annual harvesting of the fruit by the local school children happens on only one day of the year.

Bingara has a number of murals..........

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MANILLA ............. Sheep, lambs and Lama's in the paddocks around Manilla

A quaint bridge crossing the Manilla River

Clock Tower in the main street Manilla

Beautiful countryside around the Manilla area near Tamworth

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Cockburn River Campsite Limbri (30 klms north east of Tamworth).......

A bird watching over his mates nest - Cockburn River Campsite

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMWORTH..............

Lush green landscapes after the winter rain.

Chris and Buddy - Tamworth Bicentennial Park - a beautiful park in the centre of the city.

The Golden Guitar - stands as a tribute to the original golden guitar which was designed as a trophy for the Australasian Country Music Awards when they started in January 1973. The Golden Guitar was officially unveilled on Jan 22nd 1988 by Slim Dusty M.B.E.

One of only a handful of landmarks still remaining from my Tamworth years in the 1960's - The Post Office - and today only a small section of the building is the Post Office and the remainder retail outlets.