Day 2 - Stanthorpe to Tamworth

The rain eased overnight at Stanthorpe and there was no rain while we packed up. Our van was parked with a distinct lean to the left. The white rose bush is very healthy but the tree behind is beyond redemption.


There is a good museum next to the caravan park with lots of exhibits and old buildings, but we left before opening time.



It was raining again when we reached Tenterfield so we refuelled at the United service station where we could stay under cover. We read about flooding at the Gold Coast so checked in with our house sitter who was driving from Brisbane - she was stuck on the M1 as it was closed due to flooding. We then called various friends and neighbours to find someone to feed Miki. Our Austrian neighbour was willing and available. Normally we wouldn't worry about a cat not having food for a few hours, but she is 19.5 years old and doesn't eat dry food. Our poor house sitter was on the road for nearly 6 hours! We drove from Stanthorpe to Tamworth in that time, with a lunch stop.

At the Armidale Tourist Information Office there is parking for caravans so we could walk across the road for a pub lunch. At Tamworth the rain had stopped so we collected our gate key and set up camp for 10 days. The severe water shortage here means caravans are not able to stay connected to the water supply, but can refill the onboard water tanks.

We walked to Wests Leagues Club for dinner and the Gina Timms' concert. Dinner was disappointing - too big a serve and lacking in flavour. Fortunately the concert was good and we caught up with some of our Aussie Road Crew friends. One of Gina's guest artists sang about there being no saxophone in country music, until tonight.


The 10 day forecast is for rain most days with temperatures no higher than 35° - so much better than last year's 44° dry days.

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