I have been neglecting my blogging duties recently so this is a quick catch up before I move on to reporting on our recent Big Trip.

Back in March we waved goodbye to my sister Gill then set off the next day for a little break. We had spotted Glenriddle Reserve, on the banks of Split Rock Dam outside Barraba, when we were scampering home from Moree to escape the approaching floods. it was about a five hour drive from home so quite local in Australian terms. 

When we arrived there were about 4 vans there and we set up camp on the banks of the dam. It was beautiful, a massive lake with heaps of bird life, cows roaming about and incredibly peaceful with nice, clean long drop toilets. We foolishly did not think to bring our kayaks but others were not so silly and were paddling around happily, Ian tried a bit of fishing but the fish were not interested in playing.

 Clouds started to gather late in the afternoon and a storm came through overnight. It was so massive it washed the chocks away from behind our wheels and caused various bits of damage as people rushed out to put their awnings in. Everyone was a bit shell shocked in the morning, checking around for damage and borrowing tools to carry out emergency repairs.

It was all sunny after that and we visited the town, driving past the silos painted with pictures that look like Prince Harry, a few times. The town was pretty nice but, apart from the IGA, everything seemed to be shut but on Thursday that all changed and there were decent cafes, nice gift and clothes shops all open.

Back at camp, everything changed on Friday afternoon with families and groups arriving for the weekend. We will take note next time that you need to camp quite near the edge or, come the weekend, someone will squeeze in between you and the water. We didn't mind because we were going home on Saturday but we will know for next time.

About a month later a friend told me how good the birdwatching was in Chichester State Forest so we decided to go. The State Forest is just beyond Dungog so less than two hours from home. The only thing we knew about Dungog was that it was the place featured on news around the world when a house washed down the street in the big storm of 2015. For some reason I had a picture in my mind of a down and out little mining town but I could not have been more wrong! It was a beautiful place in rolling hills with views from just about everywhere. The shops were smart and open and some of the houses were gorgeous, however flooding was clearly an ever present danger with huge flood channels cut along the sides of all the streets. 

The lady in the visitor centre gave us a map of the Chichester State Forest campgrounds but neglected to tell us that;

a) the direct road was closed 

b) heavy rain was forecast

So, off we set up the gravel road climbing higher and higher for about half an hour, no mean feat towing a caravan, when we came to the point where the road was blocked. It had obviously been closed for some months so we were a bit miffed not to have been warned. We backtracked and found another road up to the Frying Pan Creek Campground. We checked the Teleghary Campground first but it was muddy and a bit gloomy so we pressed on to Frying Pan Creek which was much more open. As we pulled in a procession of caravans was leaving, they stopped us and told us we would have to leave as heavy rain was expected and camping would be impossible for the next two days as it was possible to get washed away up there.

Back down the long and winding gravel track we eventually stopped at Dungog Showground which was very ordinary with traffic noise and a really complicated QR code booking in system which we completed only to be repeatedly asked by caretakers whether we had paid or not, you would think they would know with an online system.

Still another couple of days before we could get back into the State Forest so we went to Gresford and found the showground to be closed but a quick look on Wikicamps directed us to Camp on Allyn, a farm stay. It was not our usual cup of tea but very pleasant for a night or two at $15 per person unpowered, big pitches all with fire pits, spotless amenities and large off lead dog areas. There were only two showers and campers were encouraged to use their own if possible, all the buildings were corrugated iron with cutesy names like 'Country Dunnies' and everything looked brand new. It was busy with some big groups but rained all evening and night which unfortunately put paid to any party plans they had.

Lostock Dam was mentioned as a camp site so we drove along 20km of lumpy, pot holey road to have a look. It was one of those caravan parks with mainly permanent residents and an area set aside for touring vans. The place was nice but a long way from anywhere and not  cheap at $20 a night, unpowered.

Monday dawned dry and we were finally able to head back up the hills to Frying Pan Creek free camp. It was worth the wait, very pretty with a fabulous 'Problem Falls Walk' and quiet. Apparently it can get quite noisy at weekends with illegal motorbikes and the police cruised by asking if we had seen any while we were there.

 Ian managed to climb the rocks and fall in the water at Problem Falls but luckily only went in up to his ankles, which was fortunate because the temperature changes were incredible and he would have got very cold on the return journey if he had managed a proper dunking. By about 2.30 the sun would disappear behind the trees and we would have to start rugging up, by about 4pm, fleeces and coats were required. It was fab though with fungi, staghorn ferns, birds and the sound of running water.