Day 170 - Sunset way.

   

Kings Plain National Park - NSW

North West NSW has some great National Parks nestled between towns and farmlands.  Close to the Qld border Kings Plain NP is only 48km from Inverell yet you'd think you were in the remote outback.  Peace, tranquillity and no other campers.  Purpose built fire places help get the fire going to keep the chill away.  Sun setting with hint of pink over the river and maybe a glass of Pimms involved; equates too...would not want to be anywhere else right at this moment.

Day 169 - Take off.

 

Dusk hits the Glenriddle Reserve, nestled on the top end of Spilt Rock Dam, NSW.  It is the first time in years the water has hit top level from the flooding rains in January.  Only two years ago it was at 20%.  Pelicans now flock to its shores, whistling ducks, and a host of other water birds.  Heron's line the foreshore having entree, before catching the main course on the other side.  It's a bit like a progressive dinner party, nature's way.

Day 168 - Hanging ten at Mt Borah.

 

15km north of Manilla in NSW.  Hides a Mecca to those in the paragliding, model plane/gliders persona alike.  Winding up a dirt road to the top of 880m Mt Borah, we thought of the great views on the way up.  We also thought that maybe it wasn't such a good idea to have the 2WD car on this track, but hey, now committed.  As we reached the top, our other thought was we would be alone.  Very, very wrong.  It was a playground for the grown up boys and their toys.  Amazing model planes and especially gliders riding the thermals high above Mt Borah looking out over the Western Plains of NSW.   Launched from one of four Astro turf launch sites on the mountain.  World Championships have been held here for hand gliding as well.  It is one of those little pockets of Oz you'd never really think to go to unless you were into hand gliding or the like.  But even for the non flyers it is a pretty amazing spot. 

Day 167- Double pot.

The stormy skies over Tamworth, and Manilla chased us down the road to our destination.  After the raindrops stopped falling a very special rainbow appeared over the road.  It's a shame you don't get that pot of gold for going under the rainbow, or can you actually drive under one?  We never got the chance to find out because the black clouds once again covered the sun.  Our rainbow disappeared.  We'll just have to wait for another rainy day to chase a rainbow.

Day 166 - Blown away.

 
 
Some people have an addiction to storms, storm chasing, and the pure power they engender.  As we stood at the Barraba lookout, being blown by gusting winds (good things I have a few extra kilos to anchor me down).  On the edge of two storm fronts, we see the black clouds heading for Armidale.  To be honest I've never been a real fan of the storm, although I may now be a convert, it was amazing to watch the force of nature.

Day 165 - Willow.

 

I know, another picture of a bare tree.  Hey, I live in the tropics surrounded by rainforest so it's a new avenue to explore.  The only time we see stripped trees if one of those gentle sea breeze's come through.  So you never, hope for one of those.  Spring comes a little slower in the cooler climates and the willow's are yet to get their 'covering' back.  Nevertheless, against the falling sun, they offer a pretty cool foreground.