Sunday, 19 August 2012

Colo Heights 19th August 2012


Upper Colo River  19th August 2012

Gil and I decided to go on a drive from QH through Windsor along Putty Road to Upper Colo.  Driving along over the bridge at Windsor along the flood plain you notice the veggie gardens have been replaced by turf farms which in a sense does not seem right but turf is in big demand with new housing these days and obviously better income.  We drove through Wilberforce and past many of the areas of Glossodia, East Kurrajong then to Colo Heights.
Turning left off Putty Road at the Upper Colo sign you get the impression this could be a good tarred road, we did our homework before hand and knew differently, but if you did not check before hand this is misconceiving. 


The road is tarred for a while then goes into dirt but not too bad there is some corregation but easy to cover.  


There are quite a few houses/farms on this road but nothing too flash.  The road is narrow in parts but taking your time two vehicles can pass, the scenery is great -  bush, valleys and lots of wattle out and other wild flowers which create beautiful colour amongst the green.



We took the right hand turn towards Colo Heights Road which would return us back to the Putty Road further north to where we entered the Upper Colo Road.  





Initially we crossed a very old, one lane bridge made up of sleepers and other timbers with timber tracks to drive on.   


















We stopped on the north side of the bridge as there was a little clearing where we could pull in off the road and walk down to the river.  The river was clean and very beautiful and quite.
This road is also narrow and windy in parts but careful driving is easily negotiated.
We had morning tea at the reserve at Colo Heights which has been neglected a little but was good all the same. 

After morning tea we drove not far south on the Putty Road and turned into Wheelbarrow Ridge Road this was a very good road – wide, tarred for a little while, then dirt but no corregations, just had to watch for some potholes which in the shadows of the road were sometimes hard to see.   








This road took us to West Portland where the road came to a T intersection where you could turn left and go to Webbs Creek or right to Windsor.  This drive was very enjoyable.




Sunday, 5 August 2012

Three Dams 5 Aug 2012


CORDEAUX DAM

We wanted to go for a drive but not to far, so remembering taking children when they were very young we decided to visit the dams south of Sydney, the Cordeaux, Nepean and Avon and free of charge, all within 1hour to 1 1/2 hours from Sydney,


Packing up a picnic lunch we headed off to our first dam, the Cordeaux, as the memory had lapsed over time we did not know what to expect.  The dam is very clealy sign posted off the Picton Road with a short drive into the entrance of the dam area, we were very pleasantly surprised to see well kept picnic grounds and a  shelter sheds, tables, barbeques, toilets, playgrounds for children and more, what a great place to bring a family or just come an veg out.


We drove down to the dam and this was even more of a surprise, with overhead battlements and beautiful columns reminding us of ancient Greece at the entry.  Made from sandstone and completed in 1926 you wonder how such a feat could be done at that time without the machinery we have today.



The walk across the dam was truly magical taking in every view and the vast mass of water.


 The water is 156 feet deepand is 1931 acres in size and the catchment area is 35 miles square.

This water is some of Sydneys water supply water is diverted to the Nepean Tunnel (7.5kms long) to the Cataract River there it flows through Catarct Tunnel, to upper Canal where it flows 57kms to the Prospect Water Filtration Plant near Prospect Reservoir.




                                                                                                                                                                   

NEPEAN DAM

After leaving the Cordeaux we headed back to the Hume Highway and turned south taking the turn off to the Avon Dam Road (approx 30kms) turning left the road takes you directly to the dams. 

 The Nepean Dam is first turn right and drive to the entrance, although smaller in size the picnic area is great, when we visited there was a birthday party happening, playground area for children and picnic tables, shelter sheds, toilets and barbeques throughout the grounds.


This dam was started in 1925 but not completed until 1935 due to the depression of the thirties but again a beautiful dam it has been upgraded since and restrengthened.

                                                                                                                                                                 


AVON DAM

Retracing our steps back onto Avon Dam Road turned right towards the Avon Dam this was completed in 1928 and has very similar structure as the Cordeaux beautiful battlements with columns onto the walkway of the dam.

 This area also has a beautiful picnic ground with play area, toilets, barbeques etc.

A tunnel links the Nepean and Avon dams so water can be transferred between these dams in time of drought.

These dams are also constructed of the beautiful sandstone.





Friday, 3 August 2012

Royal Flair first van now gone

Instead of using our Annex we now have 2 ends and a front covers for the awning.
Found on first use how easy it is to put up, 5 minutes thats all.
Now have a cover to protect the air conditioner from direct sun, also a cover to protect opposite side to awning from sun.
When putting down the 4 legs and decided to make a socket bar so as to use a drill to lower/raise legs.


We purchased our caravan on the 7th August 2008 from Parravans Windsor NSW.
Royal Flair Series 3---15 ft caravan with optional extras.
Year of Make is 2003
_Dual Gas Bottles
 Water Tanks of 70L
_Roll Out Awning
_Full shade cloth Annex
_Microwave
_3 Way Fridge Freezer
_Gas Stove Grill & Rangehood
_Twin Berth
_Front Dinnette
_Centre Kitchen
Vehicle
Length15
Brakeselectric
Tare1245
ATM1422
Registration
Rego Expiry02/08/2013
Cabin
Stereoyes
Fridgeyes
Showerno
Wheels
Size14
We have since raised it up 100mm and purchased a camper trolley so as we can use a remote control to move it around in tight spots without using our car.

I thought this was a good idea for my gas bottles only to find when i went to the Caravan Show at Penrith 2012 that most caravans have them on.














Also i use a velcro to hold my Awning together when travelling.