Out of the depths and back again

The degree of Elliot’s concern about the road out was evident from this observation. When told we would like to get going early because our chances of meeting down traffic on the road up rose at it got later, but he could have a swim once everything was packed, he declined the swim. Didn’t stop me though, but we were still saddled up around 8am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, the road out was steep, but as is often the case, provided it is actually possible, going up is always easier than going down. With the road hard and dry, we had no problems.

Having had such a good early start, I decided I’d like to go and investigate Kunderang Homestead.There are two, East and West. East is the NPWS one, and is protected by a locked gate. We got to within about 8km and unfortunately there really was nothing to look at from there.The West one is run as a commercial eco-adventure tour operation, and while open, had plenty of unwelcome to walk-ups signs, so we declined.  A brief stop for morning tea on an old bridge over a side-gorge and we were on our way back to Armidale.

After provisioning, it was off to Walcha to get the key for our next campsite, Riverside. Similar story, pay your fees for a permit and show your car to ensure you have low-range. More expensive this time too.

On the way we stopped at the top of the hill at Budd’s Mare. There we took in the view over the valley, with the sun perfectly placed to show it to best effect. While the information board could tell us what John Oxley thought of this view as he passed by in the 1800s, we remained ignorant as to who Budd was, and why he might have had a horse.

The road in was a little less exciting than Hall’s Peak, but I was happy about that. On the way we listened to the news and weather, feeling sorry for the poor sods in Brisbane expecting 35 tomorrow. Little did we realise that as we dropped our 600m into Riverside the temperature would rise similarly here. That dampened everyone’s enthusiasm for activity when setting up camp, but a plunge into the river went some way to curing that.

A full moon rising as darkness fell brought the bugs out dancing for the lights, and a good excuse to chase everyone into bed. Looking forward to a lazy day tomorrow.