Lake Chaffey, Nundle

On to Tamworth – drizzly day. Decided the place was way too big so fuelled up and kept going towards Nundle.

GREEN – lucerne paddocks, dairy farms. A much smaller valley along this winding road and very pretty. Through a couple of tiny villages.
Found Lake Chaffey and stopped there for the night. Dam has only been open since 2004. About 20 lots camped here. Was only staying the night so didn’t bother trying to get down to the water’s edge. Drinks with 3 lots of neighbours (1 kiwi!). Talked me in to staying here and doing the trip to Nundle tomorrow – only 10km. Glorious sunset. Dairy heifers grazing the area. Toilets and coin shower up the hill. there are so many places to camp around this lake - even on the other side - a 5km drive in there on dirt further up the road.

10/11

Off to Nundle – took the dirt road along the Peel River. More like NZ – good metal rather than dirt or sand, and a river with a stony bottom. Would be Ok for the van if not in a hurry - some sharp bends.
Cute little town and the most amazing tumble-down hardware shop full of old-fashioned  enamel basins, pie dishes and jugs, wooden pegs, tea boxes full of loose tea, real feather dusters – metal spinning tops, the old tins with garden string (REAL string too), jams, honey, vinegars, 'made in NZ' wood and bristle brushes with the metal scraper  (the ones our shearers use) .…. What a little treasure. Got a billy that I thought would fit inside the thermal cooker ( too big!). Lemon butter, lavender soap, trivet. I thought by the outside appearance that it was just an old building about to fall down so the inside was a delightful surprise. In hind-sight I dont think there was anything made of plastic in the whole shop! Chatting to a 'new' local for a while about the district.They love the place.

Then to the grocery shop - where I found  fresh and smoked trout from the breeding place – got some smoked. The fresh trout were very small – would have to throw them back at home.

Back to the lake and turned the generator on to charge up computer- and the neighbours one. Cloudy and cool today so very pleasant but dont think the solar would do much. Have paid to stay a couple more days.

Finally - free camping!!! I find the truck rest areas on the side of the highways are not really places I want to stay so this place is  perfect.