23rd – 24th April

Leaving Glen Innes we headed south down the New England Highway.  The morning was quite cool but the sky was almost clear so a pleasant day to drive.  At Guyra (altitude 1300m) we stopped for a coffee break.  The autumn colours were really evident everywhere.  The temp was 17 degrees and the locals were running around in shorts.  Not for us.

 

Trees in colour change on New England Highway

The traffic was light and we had a clear run across the mountain tops.  The bike and car clubs seemed to be all out having their public holiday car rallies.

At Bendemere we stopped for lunch at a creek side rest area.  There were many families enjoying the beautiful sunny day and having come down from the mountain the temp was much more enjoyable.  Across the stream the local hotel was serving lunch in the grounds and smell of steak cooking was very tempting.  As in Queensland the lowlands down here are still very green and frost has yet to have an impact. 

We lodged ourselves for two nights in Tamworth.  The weather here was much warmer and very enjoyable.  Ian has travelled through this city many times to and from Sydney but never stopped for more than fuel break.  This was a chance to get to know the place.

We went to church (COC) on Easter Sunday and it was great to meet with other like minded Christians.

We were able to pray with the Pastor there and hopefully encourage him.  God is good – all of the time.

Tamworth has some great parks along the river so Ian enjoyed a long walk along a path that followed the flood bunds.  Country towns really do close for Easter so it was very quiet but again many families were out enjoying the day together.  There are some great old stone houses here and some beautiful farms on the river flats.  A very prosperous city indeed.

The river beside our camp site.