Submitted: Friday, Jul 25, 2008 at 21:29

School holidays again, yahoo.
Been planning this for awhile, to make a trip up to Armidale to see a good mate that I helped to moved there 18 months ago. I’ve been watching the weather closely to see if it was going to get cold enough to snow. All things where looking good. The Monday morning I awoke to see the forecast, ‘Chance of snow above 1000 meters’. So I rang my mate, thought it would be a good idea to ask before we lobbed on his door step. All was good. I asked the neighbour to look after the horses and Gold fish and Guinea pigs. Packed the Cruiser, three kids and Fysh (Wife’s maiden name) and off we went. I’ve never driven from Grafton to Armidale before, although I have been there many times along the New England H/Way.
It threatened with rain all day, which it did about 20k’s out of Armidale. The drive is a good 3 1/2 hours through some 50 odd Km’s of winding road; the rest is open sweeping corners on well sealed and maintained road once you climb up the range. The country was Frost bitten and dry, but still has a strange beauty to it.
On the Wednesday after catching up and telling a few yarns we went to town for some supplies. We could hear people talking about snow, so we made our way to the front of the shopping centre where we saw people running through the snow to get from one side of the street to the other. The kids were so excited, their were breathless. As we drove through it on our back to our mates they couldn’t stop talking about it. I don’t think they have ever been that cold. It was pretty exciting for them.
Two days later we find ourselves back home. Travelled 480km for 56 litres, I’m pretty happy with that considering the weight we carried on the way there and back. Seem to bring more stuff back. Hmmm!
We just get unpacked and there is a plan to go to Byron to see Fysh’s Mum. On a sad note, I Was awoken Sunday morning to find dogs from up the road had ripped open the Guinea pig cage and had killed all three of the kid’s pets, A sad day.
Monday morning we pack the old girl again jump in and we’re off. Again ask Bill if he can look after the animals again. Good neighbours are worth their weight in gold. It’s only a short drive this time, 130k’s. Catch up with some old mates that we grow up with, some people never change? Wednesday we go for a drive to Minyon Falls. Take the walk from Minyon Grass to the bottom of the falls, about an hour walk each way. What a beautiful place. We climb back up to Minyon Grass and take a short drive to Rummery Park for lunch. We camped there some 20 years ago, National Park have control of it now. There are long drop toilets, tank water but no showers. After lunch we head off and head back to Byron. I thought we could travel down and go out through Huonbrook and into the back of Mullumbimby. The road has been Fenced off and locked. Bugger, it use to be a nice drive down the hill and through the valley past the old Power Station at Wilsons Creek that use to supply Mullumbimby. Not to worry It’s a great drive through Repentance Creek, Federal, and Coolamon Scenic Drive and along the ridge to St Helena, Skinners Shoot and back to Suffolk Park. It's amazing how big Byron has grown over the last 15 years.
The following day we pack up and head home down the Highway to Tabbimobile and take the Jackybulbin/Tullymorgan Rd to Lawrence, it’s gravel all the way to Pringle Way. It’s the same distance 30k’s, as going to Maclean and over the Bluff point Ferry, but it’s quicker if you have to wait for the Ferry if it’s busy. Not to bad of a drive if the Council has graded the road.
Home Sweat home, just over 1200km’s in two weels and averaged 8.5 km/lt.
I believe our next little trip is the first week in December to Woody Head for a week of rest and fun, Catch up with a good mate and his young family as we do each year. And after that it's off to Evans Head at Easter with more good mates,Hmmm Father O'leary's. It seems along way away.

Tags: Travel Journal
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