KONDALILLA FALLS CALLS...

An outing to Kondalilla Falls with family on Friday was enjoyable, if a little tiring and in the end very damp. We didn't see the main Falls as the track to the bottom is temporarily closed due to a rock fall.

These first two photos are the first of the smaller falls you come to as you follow the track. We've had a bit of rain so they're flowing well.

Some of the pretty flowers we saw along the way.

This dragonfly was so vibrant I had to take its photo.

Quite a few trees were down, whether due to inclement weather or purposefully cut I don't know.

Up, up, up to the clouds.

Moss and lichen cover most rocks.

Gorgeous views of the Obi Valley from the lookout.

Not as much fungus around as I'd thought there'd be.

This pool was entertaining several swimmers, including a topless female when we came back around.

Below the pool I believe this leads to the main falls we couldn't see, apparently 80m high. Of course, if one goes down, one has come back up!

Some handy railings along the sometimes narrow paths.

This little eastern waterdragon blocked our way up wanting his photo taken. I heard birds but didn't see any. Too high up.

It was a cloudy morning and the heavens opened just as we were about to head up to the carpark so had to wait undercover for a few minutes. We arrived at the Kondalilla Restaurant above the carpark quite bedraggled but staff were very helpful, bringing towels and insisting we were fine to dine.  Highly recommended and we'll return for more delicious, well-priced meals.

This leech almost ruined my day! It must have dropped down the back of my vest during the walk and had been feeding on me while we walked. I didn't feel it at all, even after I wondered why I had blood on the hand. We found it still on my vest which I'd taken off when we sat down. 

ROAD TRIP ROMANCE... (Part 2)

Nelsons Bay/Port Stephens area. Still not sure what it's called... This spot is Shoal Bay 

Panoramic shot from further around. It had rained all the way from Valla Beach but arrived here to brilliant sunshine.  I'll be back next year for a WRANS Reunion.

I 'camped' in the campervan at the Shoal Bay Holiday Park which was ideally situated for me but I won't be 'camping' again.  Not cut out for it any more. When I was a teenager I camped in a tent a few times down the Track in NT with friends. Ah those were the days.  Before I left, managed this shot of the sunrise.  More clouds but it didn't get any more colourful than this.

Next stop Gundegai and here you see the proof. I stopped at a 711 servo along the way to use the facilities and did some celebrity spotting. Keith Urban pulled up with his 2 children! Highlight of the day up until then. 

The plan was to stay overnight but as it was only 3pm I decided I'd push on to Albury. After all, what does an OAP do in a strange town on her own? Then when I checked times and mileage, discovered it would only be another 4 hours to my friend's house north of Melbourne.

This is where my training as a graduate of my ex-husband's School of Holiday Driving kicked in...  "Why stop when you can keep driving?"  Hit the road, Jack... 

Along the way I did manage to notice the scenery.  I actually stopped to snap this tree because I thought it was very handsome.

And these boulders near Tooborac were stunning, helped by the impending sunset; I came to a screeching halt. They are granite and litter the countryside like giant marbles in the Mitchell Shire, Victoria.

 Didn't notice the horse grazing until I zoomed in...

This was the sunset, which, annoyingly, got even better once I was on the road again with nowhere to pull over or when I was able to, no view.  

Here are more boulders taken elsewhere the next morning. Not as pretty without the sunset but impressive, nevertheless.

From there it was a short drive to my friends' house where I could continue my romance with this handsome hunk... And discontinue my 'camping' to sleep in a real bed.