Days 7, 8 and 9 (Gunnedah, Timallillie National Park, Gamilaraay/Gamilaroi Country) 11/05/22

 On Monday morning, a cold Pete had caught was getting worse and we decided that before going into any towns we should probably do a RAT. Pete’s showed a faint second line.  Uh-oh – the dreaded COVID reared its ugly head.  I did one too but it was very obviously negative. Nevertheless, to be on the right side of everything we decided to head into a town to get a PCR, since Pete’s results were so faint as to be inconclusive.

Interesting information. In Coonabarabran you can get tested on a Monday morning between 8:15am and 9:15am with an appointment.  In Baradine, you can get tested on a Thursday morning between 9am and 10am with an appointment. In Gunnedah you can get tested every week day at least (don’t know about weekends) between 9am and 2pm, so to Gunnedah we went.  Problem No. 2.  You are meant to isolate until you get results, especially if you are showing symptoms but where to go. Gunnedah Council suggested the noisiest rest area you could find and caravan parks don’t want you.  Fortunately we found a place for RVs that would take us.  Results the next morning showed we were negative anyway.

Our time in Gunnedah did give us a chance to visit a great lookout of the town and the Liverpool Plains. Saw the town’s silo art on our way out. After rain, it is looking picture perfect.



                                                  


Another notable feature of the town – public toilets in which you listened to renditions of Australian Bush Poetry and could choose your cubicle according to poem! Picture are two of the choices – title is on the door front and a stanza inside!




After finding ourselves to be COVID negative, we headed not to the Warrumbungles as we had originally intended, but to Timallillie National Park in the Pilliga.  On the way we visited the Pilliga Pottery. We had no idea that it was such a large concern, employing about 20 people.  Would have been a good place to camp if we’d known – lots of walks to do apparently.  I bought a little pottery toadstool as a memento – one of the red and white agarics that I’d seen up at Coolah Tops.

Next stop was the Sculptures in the Scrub walk at Dandry Gorge.  This was a wonderful walk that I’d happily do again.  The sculptures were good, the flora fascinating and I can only describe the bottom of the gorge as a glade.  Would be a wonderful place to explore with more time and it looks as if a campground is being renovated there.  Something to remember for a future visit to the Pilliga/Warrumbungles/Mt Kaputar. 

   

 We have set up camp at the Salt Caves campground and have explored the caves, an old fire tower and a track down to an old dam. Pete is using the wet weather to read, rest up and get rid of his cold. It would be lovely to be here in about a month’s time. There are many varieties of Acacia in bud and the Pilliga will be transformed when they blossom.

                 

                 

The Fire Tower and steps   


View from the Fire Tower 


  Salt Cave – used to be much bigger and have pillars of salt




Six species of Acacia

On our first night at Salt Caves, I did a brief moth trap – rain coming and I didn’t want to use all our power.  Despite the short time, I found an amazing array of moths.  Click the link if you are interested.

Pilliga Moth Trap

 









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