Wednesday, April 22, 2009

#208-365 On the Road

This is another shot from my trip to Sydney some time back and depicts an area of the New England region of New South Wales, where the New England Highway (Map Link)is just starting to descend, through the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, just northeast of Newcastle.

As you can see it was early afternoon, and for the learned among you you can see that I took the shot from the passenger seat while Sally sat in the driver's seat on the right (Correct too) side of the car.

The shot taken through the windscreen is remarkable to me as I didn't need to touch it up in the least, and as Sally always obeys the speed limit I am assuming we were travelling at 110 kilometres per Hour or around 68MPH. I love the sweep of the distant hills and the road seems to be taking us straight (Although meandering) to them. If ever you come to Australia and can learn to drive on the left of the road I recommend a trip down (or up) the New England Highway just for the scenery, and I suggest you allow plenty of time because there are myriad reasons to stop and have a look around, and the smaller towns are fascinating.

If you get a chance to tour the NE Highway (up or down) then I suggest you try the Newell Highway(Map Link) as an alternate route back to your start point cause it gives you a hint at what the west starts to look like. There are plains that just seem to go on forever, and don't expect lushness, that only happens on rare occasions. This is not know as A Sunburned Country for nothing, and it has its own beauty and unique townships that will tempt you to wait awhile.

Be warned though if you get to liking the western plains TOO much you will be tempted to venture into the Dead Heart of Australia, and if you do that I promise you will never want to leave - EVER. There is a quality to the air and colours of our deserts that just seeps into your blood, and the kidneys can't get rid of it. I have only seen Uluru once in rain and good as he was at painting, Albert Namatjira himself never quite got the colours just how they seem.

You may think I am chiding but I have lots of friends here in Redcliffe who under George W called themselves Southern Canadians, but who now admit to coming from California who have stated that they can NOW return to visit their families in the States, but they are Aussie (Naturalized) and can't leave this land and over the years I have met hundreds of them, I know Mel Gibson passes himself off as an Aussie but lets face it he was born in Beverly Hills, may have grown up here but Glitter is most probably as intoxicating as Aussie soil, but not for me.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is one lovely shot, Ron. Great leading lines, beautifully simple, and very sharp. You don't say what your settings were but you nailed it. I've never had any success with the few shots I've tried through the windshield.

This terrain is much like coastal California north of LA.

Mia said...

Beautiful!! Oh, how I would have enjoyed driving down this road. I love long trips by car and especially in such a beautiful area.

Chesney said...

After seeing your picture and reading your comments, I am now packing our suitcases - we should arrive in the next week so start getting our rooms ready!! :)

Nan said...

Beautiful scenery! My window shots seem to be through dirty windshields or have reflections on the glass--great job with yours!

tterlyn said...

Your photo certainly shows the beauty. Must have been a great trip. I take shots through the windshield and there always seams to be beetlejuice to clean up. you got lucky there..... Great composition, just beautiful.

annalarssonphotography said...

This is a lovley shot Ron!
I would love to be on a roadtrip after seen your shot :)

Anonymous said...

Oh to be a few years younger and still full of vim and vigor. I'll still love to visit Australia. Almost did when we were younger. This is likely your best of the best shots!! Beautiful. Great scene, magnificent colors, and that road just leads the eye right into the mountains!! Great job!

lijola said...

What a lovely drive. Your photo is perfect.

Edmund said...

Sally your on the wrong side of the road, there's cars coming. Nice knowing you Mr Ron. On the serious side beautiful shot. Love the scenery.

Rachel said...

Nice shot and beautiful view!

Anonymous said...

This shot fits the theme perfectly - you really captured that meandering feeling of being on the road. I can see why they call it the New England highway too - it does look like you're driving through New Hampshire or Vermont.

Katie said...

Great photo, thanks for the advice. Hopefully I'll get to Australia one day.

Anonymous said...

Love the way the lane marker leads your eye through the picture! Well done!

Lorri said...

Love the way the road leads my eye through the shot. And I love your history and geography lessons too, Ron. Australia has a wonderful travel guide and ambassador in you!

Anonymous said...

Great shot Ron. It takes us right up into those mountains. We were in New England last week and we drove on the right side of the road too ;-). We rented mopeds in Bermuda on our honeymoon and had a tough time on the roundabouts! They don't let you rent cars there!

mljrbg said...

Stunning photograph!! The winding road leading us to the mountains is beautiful.

DART said...

After I do the Harbour Bridge climb, an Aussie road trip is now on the old to-do list! : ) I'd have to ride as a passenger for two reasons: so I could take lots of pictures and because I probably wouldn't remember to drive on the wrong side of the road. I mean, the opposite side of the road! ; )

Anonymous said...

beautiful scene..much like New England here in the states, especially Vermont or New Hampshire!