Inverell - Newcastle

After leaving Armidale we decided to head to Inverell. 

With Tori's passion for fossicking for all kinds of precious rocks and gems growing with every unique rock she finds, we couldn't let this little gem along the well known "Fossickers Way," pass us by! 
We headed out to a place called "Billabong Blue." 

For a small fee we were supplied with the tools we needed to hunt for our own Sapphires to keep. 
The caretaker was just lovely and gave us plenty of helpful tips and fun facts! 
By the end of the day we were thrilled with all the different coloured small Sapphires we had found to add to Tori's collection! 

Billabong Blue

Gary and Ella sifting through the rubble 

Tori, she has a eye for spotting Sapphires 

Tori and Gary 

Our find for the day! Plenty of pretty Sapphires!!

Our favourite find of the day!

Unfortunately the next morning Tori woke with some servere pain in her hip, which throughout the day, grew progressively worse. Along with high temperatures it was soon apparent that she was in need of a trip to hospital. 
Arriving at the local hospital in Inverell, the doctors were not sure what was wrong with her. But with her pain growing more rapidly by the moment, a Care Flight was soon arranged for us to fly to The John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. 

Ambulance ride to the airport 

Tori's celebrity flight to Newcastle 

Tori having a giggle at being lifted via the mini crane into the plane.. 

With Gary and Ella jumping in the car to make the long drive down, Tori and I soon found ourselves in Newscastle slightly earlier than we had planned!

After Bone Scans, Blood Tests and a MRI, it was soon apparent that Tori had a nasty staph infection in her left hip. 

With this being the case, Tori and I spent the next 11 days in hospital whilst Gary and Ella checked into a nearby Caravan Park. 
Lucky for both Tori and Ella the John Hunter Hospital has plenty to keep sick kids and their sisters busy. Between visits to the school room, the Starlight room and fun nights with the Livewire team, their was always plenty of fun things to do!

Ella loved pushing her sister around the hospital 

Being spooky with a gift from Liz 

 Tori and her room we spent hours decorating with out various art projects 

Finally the time came where the doctors considered Tori well enough to be discharged. I must admit that I was a little nervous as she still was not quite able to walk unaided, but with a 3 week course of antibiotics to still complete, I just hoped she would continue to improve. 

Leaving the Hospital after 11 days

With Tori still in some degree of pain, we decided to stay in Newcastle for the next week so that we could be close to The John Hunter Hospital.
We didn't do a lot, but went for some nice drives around the area to see the sights and just took it easy.

Celebrating Tori's discharge from hospital

Tori happily enjoying a lollipop sent to her by Liz 

Me! Finally able to get out and enjoy some fresh air!! 

The old Surf Lifesavers watchtower in Newcastle 

One of the many caves at Caves Beach. 

Inside the cave looking out

After a week in Newcastle, and with the doctors ok, we decided to venture back up inland NSW to the Country Music Capital of Australia, Tamworth for a few days.

Arriving in Tamworth we set up at the Showgrounds and were thrilled to see that there was a large Rodeo event being held there over the entire weekend! Perfect! With Tori still not being able to walk much, this was the perfect way to spend the weekend. 
So for the next two nights we watched everything from Bull Riding, Bucking Broncos, Calf Lassoing, Barrel Races and plenty more! 

Ella playing her guitar at the Golden Guitar 

 Tori at the Golden Guitar

Views over Tamworth 

Heading back down from Tamworth we stopped in at Nundle to check out The Old Woollen Mill. 
Quite a interesting place, we learnt all about the art of turning sheep's wool from a bundle of fleece, to the coloured ball of wool you buy in the shops! 

Ella at the Woollen Mill 

The factory 

Ella checking out some wool samples 

From here we headed just south of Newcastle to stay with some friends we had met whilst traveling the Cape.
We had a great two nights catching up over dinner with their beautiful family. 

Enjoying a delicious dinner with Therese, Darren, Mitch Jade and Tara! 

Unfortunately Tori still wasn't walking any better, and was still reliant on her crutches and pain relief.. Worried that the antibiotics she was given on discharge from hospital weren't fighting the infection like they should, I soon booked in to see her Pediatrician to voice my concerns.
After her appointment, that lasted well over an hour, he confirmed what I had suspected. The antibiotics were not working, and she needed to be readmitted to hospital immediately.

So as I write this post, I am laying yet again on a surprisingly comfortable fold out bed alongside Tori in hospital.
Tori is doing ok, and in good spirits, but it looks like we may have a long road ahead of us as her staph infection has spread to her joints.
Lucky the team here at The John Hunter Hospital are amazing, and we are all being well looked after. 
We don't know if she will require surgery just yet, or whether she hopefully just needs a longer course of stronger antibiotics.
But either way we are making the best of a bad situation! The girls both love attending the school in the hospital here, and it gives me (their usual teacher) a break! The Starlight room has plenty of fun activities for the girls to join in with also, and various charities drop by frequently to deliver free craft packs for the kids (and myself ;)) to keep entertained! 

With saying that, I'm signing off for now! I have some colouring and craft to do!! 

Xx 

Waterfall Way

The Waterfall Way is a 165km drive through some of the most stunning rainforests and green countryside. It runs between Coffs Harbour and the inland town of Armidale. 

After a overnight stay at Bellingen we set off on the winding, hilly road. Along our first part off our winding hill climb we passed Newell and Sherrad Falls. 

Newell Falls 

Next we headed to what was certainly our favourite falls along the Waterfall Way, Crystal Showers Falls. 

We walked along a 3.5km track through some of the prettiest rainforest we had seen! 

Unfortunately we had been warned that leeches love this part of the countryside also and apparently Ella's and my feet especially! 

After Ella freaking out over the first leech she found on her foot, it soon became a bit of a joke between us, and we had a good laugh keeping count of how many each of these little free riding bloodsuckers we found on our feet! (Ella 3, Myself 6!) 

Slippery little sucker!

As we reached the bottom of the track, and walked across the bridge, we were greeted by the prettiest waterfall. Even better, we could walk down and behind the falls! 

Crystal Showers Falls 

The view from behind the falls 

Ella crossing the suspension bridge near the falls 

That night we stayed in the small town of Dorrigo. A pretty little town with some beautiful countryside. 

Just before sunset I went for a walk to enjoy the surrounding views, and was amazed at the 100's of rabbits that were running everywhere! 

Walking the streets of Dorrigo

Dorrigo has one of the largest collections of old steam trains in the world.

Having a giggle at the Lavatree.. 

The next day we headed of to Dangar Falls. Just a few kilometres from our camp in Dorrigo. 

Dangar Falls from the top

Just as we were about to start our walk down to the bottom of the falls, I yet again had a run in with the local wildlife.. and my foot... This time though instead of a leech... It was a wasp! And it hurt! Ouch!!!! 

Not letting this stop me, we continued down to the falls with me doing my best to ignore the fact that my foot felt like it was on fire! 

Once we arrived at the base of the falls, we all enjoyed a swim in the slightly chilly waters. 

Tori and Ella at Dangar Falls 

A little chilly!! But refreshing! 

Our next stop was Ebor Falls. A two tier fall we enjoyed eating our lunch here and viewing the falls from the various platforms.

Ebor Falls

With the weather starting to turn on us, we rushed to Point Lookout and hoped that the clouds wouldn't disrupt what we knew would be a breathtaking view. At 1564m above sea level we weren't disappointed, though as the mist was coming in, our view wasn't quite as clear as I would have liked. And much as we found the view unreal, my photos unfortunately would not pick up the surrounding view as well as I would have liked. 

Stunning views.. That wernt quite captured in my photos due to the mist and slight rain failing

The pretty little path we followed to the lookout 

That night we yet again set up in another little town, Wollomombi. With  Wollomombi Falls less than 2km away it was perfect for us for the night. 

Wollomombi Falls is Australia's second highest waterfall at an impressive 260m. 

Although there had been quite a lot of rain lately, there was not a great deal of water falling, but still lovely to see regardless. 

Wollomombi Falls

Our last two falls were Bakers Creek and Dangar Gorge. 

Both as lovely as they were, were also not flowing a lot. Though you could certainly imagine just what they would look like after a large amount of rain! 

Bakers Falls

Dangers Gorge 

Finishing off our Waterfall Way drive, we spent a couple of nights in Australia's highest city, Armidale. 

This city is rich with Australian history and also home to many extravagantly built churches. On Sunday morning I was quite surprised to be woken to all the church bells ringing! But really quite liked it! Much better than loud blaring of the alarm on my phone!! 

Goswyck Chapel. Built in 1921 this pretty little church just outside of Armidale is slowly been overgrown by Viginia Creeper. At the right time of year it blooms a bright pink colour!

Next stop... 100km back up the track to Glen Innes to do some fossicking! 

Xx