To the Warrumbungles.

So...today we were up early... 5.30am in fact. Even Nathan rose from his pit and we were breakfasted, packed up and off for 7.00. Will hasn't come with us on this road trip as he has cheese making duties to perform.We headed south and then took the Bruxner Way towards Bonshaw and then Ashford. From Ashford to Delungra we were on dirt roads which I was not expecting and apart from a large cattle truck hurtling in the opposite direction we survived it.Roxy went well but I was constantly checking the temperature gauge in fear of her over heating but the temperature stayed steady. Just after Bingara the needle did rise a bit on an uphill climb but soon settled back.I was dreading the Killarney Gap but it turned out to be fairly easy and we sailed over and looked out at the Western plains stretched out before us flat to the horizon.We stopped at Narrabri for lunch and then headed through the Pilliga, a vast State Forest before reaching Coonabarabran. We did our shopping for our two nights camping and headed into the Warrumbungles National Park.It soon became apparent that it was not as I had last seen it in 2009 on my first visit to Australia with Will. Now the hillsides had been devastated by a bush fire and while some trees were springing back to life many were totally wiped out.We stopped at White Gum Lookout to look across the park and despite the fire it was still a stunning view.We checked in at the Visitors Centre and paid for our camping permits. A sign on the desk read:'The Wambelong fire in 2013 was very traumatic for the Visitors Centre Staff. Please refrain from asking them about the fire.'90% of the park was affected. The old Visitor Centre burned down and is now housed in a temporary one.I remember seeing emus and kangaroos in the campground and it was here I saw my first Koala, but we have been here 4 hours now and seen nothing...except a few noisy cockatoos!There are mosquitoes too. Lewis said"If I get bitten by another mosquito, I'm going to start a forest fire!"Tomorrow we have a whole day ahead of us walking in the park.