48.2021 L NSW Clockwise Unwinding Tour. Oberon snow and Kanangra Walls.

Forecasts of an Antarctic blast soon to hit much of the eastern seaboard of Australia in early June 2021; sending snow even as far north as Queensland, saw us settle into Oberon for eight nights rather than move during inclement weather.  At 1,336m Oberon is Australia's 6th highest town  

A beautiful day for a drive to the Kanangra-Boyd National Park for some more great Aussie bush. 

The wilderness area at 125,000 hectares, is the second largest in NSW. 

The Kanangra Deep, a 500m drop to the stream below. 
Sydney's water supply, Lake Burragorang, is 25kms in the distance. 

Kanangra Walls 

Abseiler's paradise.

Colour harmony

The Boyd River Hut was built by National Parks and Wildlife Services staff, and contractors to provide shelter for park visitors. 

The stone was donated by local Jerrong area landholders and the timber salvaged from Sydney's Woolloomooloo wharfs. 

Chimneys can be such works of art.  

A contrasting chimney. 
Our first impressions of Oberon were not so good. 

The main employer in Oberon is Borg Manufacturing MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) factory supplying to Australian and export markets.  

Oberon showground, town and industry. 

Clouds endorsing the forecast of snow for the next couple of days. 

Snow falls in Oberon transformed the town into a winter fairyland.  Could this be the reason that William Shakespeare named Oberon as the king of the fairies in his play "A Midsummer Night's Dream"?

 

The view from bed in the morning. 

Looking up at skylight snow artwork.

 

Wrapped in cotton wool. 

Ice Capades was on TV as evident by the roof aerial. 
The air conditioner, gas heater, double glazing and electric blanket all performed admirably.  

Some agricultural shows have been cancelled for the first time in 150 years due to COVID, but a trail of scarecrows across the state is keeping the spirit alive.
(We saw scarecrows initially at our first stop at Yass Showground.) 

Carrol's favourite tree just outside the gates of the showground. 

The Oberon Common which features picnic areas, play equipment, ponds and bridges highlighted as a winter wonderland.

Oberon Common

Kiddies came out the woodwork the moment snow started falling. 

An uncommon vista for most Australian towns. 

This photo and the following (as well as all others) are in full colour!

The contrast in two days time. 

Birds are sheltering near the tree in the middle of the pond. 

Egrets with regrets?
Hunched and dwelling too much on the inclement weather. 

Suddenly realising there is no point in dwelling upon things that cannot be changed. 

Frozen poultry department.   

Wombats on tap

I'm singing in the snow!!

A necessary drive into town with a snow blanket on the bonnet. 

The icing on the cake for the Oberon main street. 

The Oberon Train Museum looking more like a European war movie scene. 

Possibly the Oberon Olympic Ice Skating Rink.

Success is like a snowball...
It takes momentum to build and the more you roll it in the right direction the bigger it gets. 
Steve Ferrante 
(The chap to the left looks discombobulated as to how he is going to throw the snowball.)

A scene when camping at the Oberon Showground shows that life goes on as the snow falls down. 

Regardless of weather, training of harness racing horses continues as the driver keeps his window open to share the snow experience with the horse as they continually lap the track. 
The small car is towing a large open framed trailer to which horses are secured.

Same car, two horses and the window still open 

The melt has started after two great days of snow. 

The snow is clearing and the Crimson Rosellas are out for a feed. 

Industry carries on regardless as the clouds move north.

We now leave the white of Oberon's snow and chimney stacks for the white of Gunnedah's cotton fields via the gold of Sofala. 

Warm wishes, 

Don and Carrol.