Yamba to Bingara

Stamper battery at the old gold mne

Done and dusted and first to leave the Caravan park at Yamba by 7:30am.

We drove to Grafton and problems emerged with the fuel gauge that remained unresolved throughout the day. Ignored it. Climbed the big hill to the top of Gibraltar Range without any problem. Stuck to 2000 revs and the Forester pulled the Avan up the hill with no problems at all. Had a cuppa at Gibraltar Range NP.

On to Glen Innes and then Inverell for lunch, where we discovered that we had inadvertently spewed awning poles across the road when the pin dropped out of hinge which formed a small trap door on the back bumper and retained the poles. One of the poles is such a specific height that it is unlikely I can replace it anywhere except Avan service centre at Morisset. With the 12 volt water pump packing it in on top of the mains pressure water problem, our fate is now sealed for a trip to Morisset on the way to Broken Hill. Damn!

Stopped in at the Myall Creek Massacre Memorial between Delungra and Bingara. It was Sue's first visit. Very moving.

Arrived at 3:00pm at the Council run caravan park in Bingara and located ourselves along the fence line at the back of the park. Managed to readily identify several other things about the Avan that need fixing so the detour to Morissett will be worthwhile. Went for a short but uninformed car tour of the town and were surprised by what we found. Sightseeing in the morning and then off to Warialda early tomorrow evening as I deliver a Black Dog Institute program.

TODAY'S PHOTOS

Only after that do we reluctantly go back to Morisset! Busily re-planning our trip. Joys of being on the road.

The Gwydir River was lovely in the golden glow of the dying day.