Patriotic half-American Bill, enjoying a celebratory cheese cake on the 4th of July

Winters in Sydney are fairly mild by world standards and generally speaking we’re spoiled by the weather.  Having said that, this time of year there is less sun, sometimes a chilling breeze and no use for the world famous beaches.  But winter is our favourite time to leave the big smoke and head to the smoky fire around our campsite where we can enjoy the magnificent scenery and breathe some fresh air.

Our nephew James and his wife Keryn’s little daughter Mackenzie getting some well-deserved attention

Last month we made two trips to the bush, partly for escape, partly for therapy but mostly because we prefer to be there.  We had company for some of the time, including the newest addition to our family, little Mackenzie, who had her first bush experience, and we did some work around the property.  Julie and I also went on a great walk behind the historic Newnes pub down at the end of our valley and spent the cold nights counting stars, putting more wood on the fire and topping up our wine glass.  Its a hard life.

The Big Red Machine does the heavy lifting when we are clearing trees from our back paddock

Two forgotten Ford Zephyrs circa 1950s have found their permanent home behind the Manager’s Residence at the Newnes shale mining site

We did more great exploring high on the slope above the Wolgan River

He’s a big boy but very calm about the two aliens who tramped across his backyard

Historic Newnes Hotel, now a pub with no beer but it could tell a few stories from when this was the centre of a thriving shale oil mining town