Howlong

Spent a week here.
As usual there was golfing, an attempt at fishing and lots of wine tasting with some cheese, olives, mustard, pies and chocolates thrown in. There was an attempt at bushwalking (against Peter’s better judgement due to slippery nature of the track) in the upper reaches of the Murray. We headed off looking for a waterfall that ended up being ‘invisible’ – not enough water.

The 'invisible' waterfall!

The only bushwalking Peter likes is amongst the trees next to the fairways – something he is only too familiar with!

Hume Weir (holds 5 times water of Sydney Harbour)

Hume Dam (on the NSW end of the Murray)

Fishing on the Murray - no luck!

The weather was hot – no thunderstorms or hail here!!!!
Pete won both rounds of golf. At Corowa we both played ok. At Howlong Peter was runnerup A grade with 41 points, and Sheena won the ladies comp with 36.
Golf score is still a little lopsided in Sheena’s favour.

Rutherford winery

Peter at Howlong - 41 points!

Upper reaches of Murray - Scout Hut

Wagga Wagga

Spent a relaxing and enjoyable 2 days outside Wagga Wagga with school friend Megan, hubby Jeff, 3 dogs, 1 goat and 1 son who has returned home!!!
Views from their property are to die for!!! Just as good as the view from a house on Matthew Flinders drive!

Megan and Jeffs property

View from the top of the hill!

Leaving Megan and Jeffs

Orange

We had a week in Orange playing golf Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri.
Had a great cocktail party Sun night! Pete got into the swing of thing with the ladies.

Pete, Marg and Chris!!!!

We then played golf Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri. Sheena played really well on Thu (41 points) and this helped her to runner-up for the week! We took away 13 bottles of lovely Orange wines (courtesy 1 NTP from Pete and 2 from Sheena and a couple of good days from Sheena!) Duntryleague is a great course – Sheena reckons she could play really well there as a home course!!!! Tournament is well worth entering!!

Peter on the 9th at Duntryleague

On Thursday night Orange had the worst storm in 150 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our van went thru hail and wind AGAIN!!!!!

Caravan park at Orange after the storm!!!

Presentation dinner on Friday night was great!!!

Dubbo

Had a great 3 days in Dubbo.

The Western Plains Zoo is well worth the visit.  We push-biked around over 2 days.  AND………………… fed a tiger (worth the extra money to experience this).

Can you see the turtles behind Peter? (Proud on the bike!)

Sheena and the tiger!!!!

Wineries visit again! AND not to mention the golf – at Dubbo Golf Course. Great course (lousy bunkers). Sheena won and is now 3 up and counting!

Sheena at Dubbo - another win!!!!

Lake Burrendong (near Wellington)

Here for a week. Lake Burrendong (near Wellington)

DAY 1:
The bikes! Took them out of the bag and then 30+ minutes to put them together. Eventually went for a short ride – great fun.
Then got the kayaks out.

If you look closely you can see Peter in his kayak fishing.

Peter fished (no luck) and I peddled/paddled to the island in the middle and back, having a swim at the island. It was a hassle putting them away and getting them on the roof!
Mid afternoon it was soooo hot we went for a dip here in the pool near the shop. Lovely.
Back at the van I set up the turbo oven for a roast. Heated it up, Pete watching Clarke get his 300+ in the air conditioning and the …power went off!!
THEN……….
Storm coming but didn’t seem to get here so not worried. However, just seconds after discussing with a neighbour pulling in the awning it hit. We didn’t have time to get back into the van – stood behind it while the wind howled, our annex stood up to the test, hail came down, Hailstorm at Lake Burrendong1 Hailstorm at Lake Burrendong2 Hailstorm at Lake Burrendong3 but we survived it!!!
Power still out. We learned how to change the fridge to gas, and cooked an omelette on the gas cooker.
Found out later that the storm was a mini tornado!!!
Over the next few days we have visited Wellington Caves,

The Cathedral, Wellington Caves

viewed a Japanese garden,

Japanese gardens - Wellington

visited ANOTHER winery, more fishing

Peter fishing at Lake Burrendong.

(Peter caught a tree!!!)

and also fitted in a very warm game of golf at Wellington

Peter teeing off the first at Wellington

(Sheena won so is now 2up and counting!!!!)

Week 1!

Lots of money to be made driving the "Tonka" toys!

Almost at the end of a week! We have been to Coffs and then Denman. What a contrast! Bonville V open cut mining!

We spent today driving around the Denman area visiting a cheese factory, olive oil tasting AND the Wineries!!!! Don’t feel like much more to drink.

Sheena wins match at Bonville1 up!!!

Bonville has always been one of Sheena’s favourite courses. The weather was great on the day we played AND the course was the driest I have played it – carts were allowed everywhere (no boggy bits!).

Weather at Denman HOT!

We are about to head of to Lake Bungendore – near Wellington. Hoping for lots of water for kayaking and fishing.