From Bathurst to Kandos to Mudgee

Hello!
It’s been a while since I’ve posted. Given the ramp up in retail as Christmas approaches, I’ve been having a small break while trying to keep my sanity.

Thankfully for relaxed Covid restrictions, we were able to get away and head out West for a few days during November, and do some site-seeing. It was such a nice break after the crazy year we’ve had.

I must admit, after the release of Beneath the Grandstand, I’ve been feeling a little uninspired. I have ideas, but after the success of BtG, I feel like I need to step up my game a bit. This short trip has certainly given me some fresh perspectives (and air!), and I have been able to start outlining my next project.

But I digress. During the trip, we visited Bathurst and Mudgee, and stayed with family in Kandos. For anyone who doesn’t know, Kandos and surrounds are just south-westish from the Blue Mountains, and is absolutely beautiful to visit. There is a lot of history out this way, and so many old buildings that have stood the test of time.

I was also super lucky that Mother Nature put on a spectacular storm while we were visiting Mudgee! And so I shall add all of my photos below for a treat.

As many people know, I love storms (so long as I’m under cover), and I love tracking them via weather maps. I was tracking them this day, and managed to capture a cyclone that didn’t quite touch down! It was right in the middle of Mudgee, so luckily it didn’t fully form. The sudden icy-cold and strong winds that hit just before we ducked inside was freaky – it was an almost instant change.

We got to see a lot of old buildings too. We visited the tiny historic towns of Sofala and Lue as well, which didn’t disappoint.

And, as always, I love taking photos of flowers and nature.

And finally, no trip is ever complete without photos of an old train station.

All up, we travelled 342.3km / 212.7 miles. Every time I come here, I get to see something that I haven’t seen previously. This area is truly a hidden gem.

As luck would have it, as we drove home through Capertee, we spotted another old train station down a side street, so we back tracked and went to have a look. A photographer from the local paper was there, and I realised an old historical train was due to pass through. We hung around for a bit, and were not disappointed.

I’m not sure when I’ll be releasing my next book. I’ve briefly outlined a plot which didn’t grab me, so I’m still tweaking it and mulling it over. Eventually, it will hit me and I’ll be able to start writing. I’m also rebuilding The Darkest Realm from scratch, and might even redesign the map. It’s such a lot of work, but I know it will be worth it when it’s finally done and released.

Take care everyone <3

~AAC