First up on the show we visit and chat about Cranky Rock.

Cranky Rock turn off is 5km east of Warialda, off the Gwydir Highway, the 3 km sealed road will take you all the way to Cranky Rock where you will find a jumble of giant boulders heaped in the most fantastic positions by a past volcanic upheaval, features include a suspension bridge, birdlife and wildlife sanctuary and, a viewing platform. Facilities include picnic areas, a large shelter with free barbecues, public toilets and a children’s playground. There is a full time caretaker and kiosk on site and should you wish to stay overnight or even longer there is a campground with powered/unpowered sites and hot showers available.https://www.warialdansw.com.au/cranky-rock-recreation-reserve

We move on after a couple of lovely days and head to Bingara,

Bingara, known as the “Gem on the Gwydir”, is a great place to visit. Bingara has clean air, clear skies and a great climate. A great little town blessed with natural beauty. Surrounded by hills, the town rests in a natural amphitheatre. The spectacular Gwydir River, the life blood of the town, pulses through Bingara’s heart. Its beauty is indeed priceless.

Whilst here we camped along the river, through on entry read the signs carefully as at times this river can rise rapidly and has been known to take a van or two that get caught. We parked on the higher side and the view was lovely, can be a little chilly. You may even be lucky to see the odd horse or three roaming around. Speaking of horses we met John Wade.

Wade Horses Bingara (formerly Gwydir River Trail Rides) have been offering guided trail rides along the banks of the Gwydir River for more than 20 years.  Locals, visitors, learner riders wanting riding lessons and anyone else smitten by a love of horses and horse riding have come, and keep coming back, to enjoy the ride of their life in one of the most beautiful areas of the region.

Locally owned and operated Wade Horses Bingara boast an excellent team of horses which includes gentle, heavy horse breeds able to carry the largest and smallest riders. From 6 years of age up, all riding abilities can be accommodated as the experienced staff match the mount to the rider’s ability.  First time riders through to experienced riders who enjoy a canter or gallop in a safe environment are guaranteed a great time! https://www.bingara.com.au/things-to-do/bush-activities/horses/

We are stopping the night this time just out of Tamworth. We have found a farmstay to stay out. The Sunrise Cutting Horse Farmstay at Neminga. The campground offers toilets showers and drinking water and is dog friendly, accessible to RV’s camper trailers and caravans on a nice grassy area. Low cost camping, Dawn meets you when you drive in and lets you park up anywhere in the grassed area, the horses come to the fence for a pat. We found this campground on Wiki camps.

A cutting horse is a stock horse, typically an American Quarter Horse, bred and trained for cutting, a modern equestrian competition requiring a horse and rider to separate a single cow from a herd of cattle and prevent it from getting back to the herd

We are stopping the night this time just out of Tamworth. We have found a farmstay to stay out. The Sunrise Cutting Horse Farmstay at Neminga. The campground offers toilets showers and drinking water and is dog friendly, accessible to RV’s camper trailers and caravans on a nice grassy area. Low cost camping, Dawn meets you when you drive in and lets you park up anywhere in the grassed area, the horses come to the fence for a pat. We found this campground on Wiki camps.

A cutting horse is a stock horse, typically an American Quarter Horse, bred and trained for cutting, a modern equestrian competition requiring a horse and rider to separate a single cow from a herd of cattle and prevent it from getting back to the herd

Next on the show is chatting with Kerry Kelly the President of the Tara Camel and Cultural Festival. Kerry has been involved with the festival for many years but this is the first year as President. Its a Bi Annual festival and takes a lot of the behind the scenes work to get this event up and running. It has been running now for 11 years. There has been over 10 thousand people through the gates. There is glamping tents and also sites for tents, campers and caravans. This year they had to reduce the site numbers due to large rainfall the week prior.

The have entertainers, band and the cultural is a mix of nationalities that come along. There is plenty to see and do apart from camel races, there is music with bands and country markets and food stalls.

The date has been set for 2024 from 2-4 August so set the date.

Check the website and start planning your trip. https://tarafestival.com.au/

Next on the show Phill meets up again with Jeff DeAth from Check Weight, and this weeks topic of discussion is “Shifting the Deck Chairs on the Titanic” Quiet an appropriate topic with all the rain.

Meaning fixing one problem but creating another problem somewhere else. EG using the portable weigh scales on the tow ball and thus moving weight from the front to the back of the van. Thus causing more problems. Its an interesting topic and something to be listened too. Occasionally it is a good idea on the road to go over a weigh bridge just to keep an idea of whats going on. Another thing to be on the look out for is changing batteries going from AGM to Lithium, remember that going from 2 down to one battery you are reducing the weight on the right side, but the left side will be heavier.

Be aware also if you move things from the van to the vehicle be conscious that this could also be causing issues. https://checkweight.com.au/