The House(s) of Fran_mart

 Frances has a developing interest in geology and "Stories beneath our feet " had a number of references to features between Bombala and Berridale.  We had never driven the Snowy River Way so it seemed like a few ducks lined up.  As well as this innovation we decided to come via Cann River as the fuel price there was the cheapest (diesel 181.9 c/l, cf 215.9 in Mallacoota or 186.9 in Bombala) between home and Canberra.  Here is our route: about 20km and 40 minutes longer than our normal route We had taken the Pajero as:  I wanted to get a new rear light assembly as the sticky tape I had been using on it for the last 8 years was getting a bit iffy;  I wasn't sure what the road from Ando to Berridale would be like; and We might want to go into the mountains while we are in Canberra. I have added a 4th element having done the trip: the Monaro Highway from Cann River to Bombala is in very poor condition.  We were pleased we weren't taking the Mazda which is...

This is the post covering the orchids and overlooks, which were the reason for Denis Wilson inviting us to his neck of the woods.  A most excellent day was had by all, as will be evident from what follows. I knew this post would become rather image heavy, so have posted the images of Tallong and Marulan in an earlier entry. As we left home on our journey the weather looked slightly other than friendly with low cloud and/or mist.  This was strangest when passing the Capital Windfarm where clouds were sitting on to p the ridge, meaning that the columns of the turbines were visible but most of the blades were hidden.  Occasionally a section of blade would swing into view so there was enough draft in the cloud to spin them. As we got closer to the Woodlawn farm the sheep were being mustered.  Two guys were on traffic duty, but didn't need to stop us.  However, several hundred sheep were in a dense flock looking at an open gate on to the road and by the time w...

21 November 2012 was declared as Renewable Energy Day 2012.  As part of that Infigen Energy ran a series of visits to the Woodlawn Windfarm between Bungendore and Tarago.   I thought it would be interesting to get up close and personal with the turbines, about which I have blogged in the past , so registered and joined in. The visit was rather pleasantly unstructured.  I had thought we would be talked at a lot, but instead after a gathering at Bungendore we drove out to the Woodlawn site, and basically asked our guides questions as they occurred to us.  It meant not everyone learnt everything but was a very open process. The site is near Tarago and thus quite a bit away from the Capital Windfarm (also run by Infigen)  near Lake George.  The Woodlawn site was chosen for the open day because the site is owned by a company (who run a refuse handling business on the site of the former Woodlawn Mine nearby) and can thus handle busloads of tourist more easil...