There Is Something About Lightning Ridge

OPAL, yes definitely opal. Lightning Ridge is one of the few places in the world where the precious and highly prized black opal is found. It is about 770 kilometres north-west of Sydney in the outback of NSW, has a populations about 1200. During summer time, the temperature can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, and in winter, can go as low as 3 degrees.But for me and my boys, there is something very special about this place. Even though take so long to get there but that doesn't stop us to keep wanting to visit again.

We have been twice there, and would like to go there again next Easter holiday. The first time we went there, I didn't expect too much to see or do. I thought that the boys would be so bored after few moment fossicking. But, guess what....they sat and dig the big pile of leftover from the opal mine for hours, for nearly everyday during we stayed there. They really enjoyed it and had so much fun. We did the self guided tour as well in to the old opal mine. How interesting that in the old days, without the modern machinery, they still managed to get the opal.

Another place that we liked was a bore bath. It's a natural hot spring pool that very popular among the locals and the tourists. Its really soothing and relaxing to dip in the pool after a long day full of activities. Bottles house is another interesting place to visit. The boys were so fascinated with this very well looked after house.

The last but not the least, is having barbeque on top of the hill, while watching the gorgeous sunset. Its just magical.

Here are some pictures during our visit to Lightning Ridge
The magnificent sunset from the hill

Ari was trying his luck to find the black opal :)

The old cattle station where we stayed

The very common view in Lightning Ridge

During the self guided tour to the old opal mine

Having dinner on top of the hill

In front of the bottle house


The second visit there, we brought a friend of mine from overseas that happened to have holiday as the same time as we were going, and , I was so glad that she really enjoyed it.

Choc Chip Cookies

After the heatwave that strucked last week, 22 degrees with rain feels so good, especially for the firefighters that have been working very hard to control the fire.

For me at home, during these rainy days, baking with Jamie's help is always fun. I always try too make something that he can actually involve with it, from measuring the flour and sugar, cracking and whisking the egg, and the best part, of course, tasting it. Today, we decided to bake some choc chip cookies and some coconut and banana bread.

Here is the choc chip cookies recipe:
1 cup plain flour
1 cup self raising flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 cup dark choc bits
125 gr butter, melted
1 egg, lightly beaten

Method:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
Sift the flour, then add sugar and choc bits. Mix butter and egg, then pour into the mixture.
Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden.

Sizzling Sydney

For the last 4 days, Sydney's western suburb has been reaching 40+ degrees. Its feel very uncomfortable and all I want to do is staying at home in the nice air conditioned room. Some people try to cool down by going to the swimming pool or the beach. Mall with the air condition is another option too. Ice cream becomes a daily treat now in my house.

2 days in a row, we went to the local swimming pool. It felt so good and fresh while we were in the water. Once we got out of the water, the hot breeze hit us immediately. It's very unpleasant.

All the outdoor sport activities being cancelled despite the fear that children will feel unwell and dehydrated. About 60 bushfires burning around NSW and many more down in Victoria. The fire figthters have been working very hard to control the fire but sometimes it's too hard, especially with very the gusty wind.

Hopefully all this will end soon (for temporary) as the weather forecast for next week shows between 24-29 degrees with possible showers. What a relieve....

Nundle - Tamworth Trip

Just want to share these pictures I took sometime ago. We had lovely time in this trip, apart that Jamie had a leech stuck on his thigh and we had flat tyre twice. Yes twice. We ended up buy four set of new tyres.
Ponderosa Park, Nundle

Our camper trailer

Boys in action

Relax in the hammock


Steven were fixing the tyre


On the way home, we camped four nights at Newnes and joined some friends. We had a blast.
NEWNES


Busy camping season.

Choo....Choo......

Every first Sunday of the month, at Glenbrook, about 70 kilometres west of Sydney there is a mini train ride. It has a picnic and barbeque area and very popular for the birthday party. A ride goes for three laps through the tunnel, bridge and pedestrian crossing. It's really good for the kids and the adults.

Today, we went there with some friends and had so much fun. Here are some pictures from today outing.







This is a short clip the train was coming out from the tunnel.