On Tour With Jack Vintage
Heading back to the coast from Parkes to Newcastle we stopped off to see one of the disused open mines at Peak Hill. The mine was opened in the 1880,s during the gold rush and some 200,000 GBP of gold extracted. The gold ran out in 1906 but iron ore was mined until 2006. The grey areas in the picture is where the iron has oxidised and the water is 'dead' due to the high iron content.
More Kangaroos on the short walk back to the Kombi.
We stayed at a free camp in Dubbo as we planned to go to the Taronga Zoo next day. The coach parked next to the van housed a family from Brisbane with 7 kids inside!!!
Jack in his wellies.........it rained and rained!!!
Andrew breaks his rule of no zoo pictures on the site to capture Karen and Jack patting a Kangaroo.
Jack on the adventure playground
On the way up to Newcastle we again managed to find a free camp in Wollombi albeit on a proviso. The camp was in the pub garden and the only stipulation was that you bought a couple of pints in the pub......job done then.
Some unwanted attention from a local bird as we enjoyed a jar.
We were lucky enought o stay with Karen's friend (and family Kirra, Adam and 3 year old Henry) she met in the UK and has since moved back to Newcastle.
We did feel that we were cheating 'Olive' by not sleeping in the van but two nights in a proper warm bed was too much of a temptation.
In the pub for Sunday lunch at a lovely place called Honeysuckle on the quayside.
Come on ladies I'll take your photo Andrew say's
The before and after..........
After a great couple of days in Newcastle we will move back up the coast to chase the sun.
There is a lot to see on this partucular bit so hopefully lots of photos to come.
See you there.