One Year to Give: Uralla in Autumn!

After much indecision, and detouring off the beaten track to check out some "free" camps, we found a fantastic little caravan park at a little town called Bendemeer, between Tamworth and Armidale.

This was a very pretty little town and we had our hearts set on seeing the resident population of platypuses(pi)in the creek. We watched from the bridge, where we were told you could often see them - eyes 'glued' to the water, for about an hour one evening and and hour the next morning, but unfortunately there were no platypusses! However, we did see circles in the water, as if they were playing around underneath the surface. ( we were assured by a reliable source that this is what they were!!). Oh well! We did see a goanna tho, on the banks of the river, under the bushes where platypuses might live and and we took this as a positive sign that this was the case, as in my 'googling' of info about these creatures I discovered that goannas are one of the major predators of the platypus. This might not have be good news for the local platypus population tho'!

The next day we 'mosey-ed' along to Armidale, which was also pretty with many trees beginning to be adorned with autumn leaves, but much, much bigger than Bendemeer! While in Armidale we took in a few of the local sights: the local market, Dangar Falls, the Art Gallery - where some Tibetan Monks were doing some amazing, traditional, patterned and brightly coloured sand painting.

Dangar Falls

Later in the afternoon we wound our way back to Uralla, to stay with some 'friends of friends', that we had met in Keith many moons ago! - Carol & Stephen Higginbottom. We timed it really well - arriving at Happy Hour, with some neighbours in attendance as well. Brian regaled us with humourous stories of experiences he has had as an organiser of tour groups, including one about a 'power play'he had with a charging lion!
We began our few days as aquaintances, and left feeling like 'old friends". Thankyou to Carol and Steve for having us, especially as Carol was laid up with a broken leg, and Steve was working. It was nice to be able to keep Carol company for a bit and do the add job for her. Things such as painting her toe nails, and taking her car for a drive to keep the battery charged, while she was incapacitated!!

Artist's equipment!!

Lily loved Carol's little "speedy" car!!

They recommended a few local sights in and around Uralla, and referred to the fame of their local legend,Captain Thunderbolt, bushranger extraordinaire!