I'd committed to going back to The Wat for Vesak Day, but I was determined that I wouldn't use the 15km approach road until it has been graded again. So I slept the night on the roadside just past the front gate and hitched a lift up and back again, in the afternoon. I booked four nights at Mill Creek Campground. This was once a picnic spot beside Wiseman's Ferry Road, where camping was allowed; now it's an extensive site with separate areas for tents, vans, day visitors, and large groups. There's a works depot and a helipad. The signed bush walks were closed due to fire and flood damage, but there was nevertheless a lot of space to exercise. I was alone the first two nights (even tho there was a winter special for weeknights) and it was reasonably busy at the weekend. The wooden barriers shown in the website photographs have recently been replaced with large blocks of "terrorist control" Gosford sandstone. At first I thought this was overkill; but then some hoons drove by in the dark on the second night, making wild whoops, and scoring a bullseye when they threw an empty beer bottle at Bertha's flank and achieved a neat dent. After that I was grateful for the protection. Despite the drawbacks this is a really good place to stay, at least during school term in the colder months, and there are so many good views along the way home, not to mention other places to explore nearby.
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,I've just finished four nights away from home, which comprised a first day busy with a collage workshop courtesy of RainBodhi in the City, an Indian dinner in Harris Park, and a night at Wiseman's Ferry. At Wiseman's I found I could call ahead and camp overnight for $20 at the NSW Water Ski Federation's property (but I doubt this would be possible in warmer weather). The remaining days and nights were all spent at Wat Buddha Dhamma, which I'd not visited for a long time, despite having lived there during 2001 and visited frequently 1999-2003 and 2008-2012. I found it recovering from the bushfire that swept through lastyear and tidying up for Vesak celebrations next week. |
AuthorIn mid 2018 I started recording each night I sleep in Bertha: sometimes just for myself, sometimes to share with friends and other travellers. Archives
February 2024
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