Ghost-town, Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

• Travels with Ben
Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Incoming @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Don’t be fooled by the title. This community is thriving, more than ever!

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Ghostly @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

It is the driftwood that adds a touch of ghostness.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Mysterious @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Rustic wooden chunks don’t take much imagination to visualise shapes and patterns.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Moonlight @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Particularly when night falls and the full moon orbits around mysterious and magical Middle Earth.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Red-light district @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Spooky and fabulous. 

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Sanctuary Island @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Sanctuary Island may be the last chance of survival.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Volcano @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Perched right in the center of the bower, care must be taken when entered.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The Gatekeeper @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Dark forces protect the towering volcano, straight through the gates of Mordor.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Who? @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

That’s where ‘you know who’ lives.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Flame tree @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

It’s better the devil you know. 

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Marooned @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Once stranded here, you may never leave.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Jaws @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Sharks have controlled these waters for millions of years.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Deep Waters @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Giant squid creep out from deep waters.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Pray @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

They have a savage appetite. 

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Distinction @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

It is to be told, that the ‘Ibis of extinction’ has a fierce reputation.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Lure @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

He lures his prey with sweet delicacies and waits motionless.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Look me in the eyes @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Hypnotizing.‘ Here little birdie’.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Horse king @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Check-mate is the last king of his kind, a horse nation full of pride.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Check-Mate @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

He won’t be fooled again. 

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Sparkles @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Deceptive forces transformed his partner into a creature of the sea as her crown still sparkles.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Together @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

She has good reason to stay close to him.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Outstanding @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

The most outstanding creature is a direct and ancient descendant of Scotland’s most famous mythology.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Clear as daylight @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

At least this one is clearly seen.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The Look @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Looks can be deceiving, as it appears that Nessie is a vegetarian.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
King Parrots @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

The birds can’t get enough of her.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Kyle and Patches @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

A dirt-bike helps for a quick getaway, steering well clear of danger.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
All along the Watchtower @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

The revolving watchtower was installed high off the ground.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Birds-eye view @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

This gives a ‘bird’s-eye view’ of the surroundings.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
All around @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Round and round we go. It is said that shady forces possess this monkey on a string.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The precious? @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Frodo does well to approach cautiously. Could this be the way to the precious?

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Open Sesame Street @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

This ‘Animal’ is just a muppet without drums?

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Traiting @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Schmiegel knows his way around the bower.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Never far @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

He makes friends with everyone and is never far from Frodo’s side.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Feather soldier @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

It sounds all too familiar.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Popular @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Not all underwoods are scary in appearance.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Soft touch @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Soft edges and lighter shades sweeten a welcoming sentiment. 

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Frodo-land @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

This lightweight extension branches off to hoppit shire and Frodo’s happy land.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Balconia @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

The ‘balcony’, is a fabulous compilation of structure and colour.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Attached @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Enhanced with local growths, which attach easily, it is a long-time favourite by all. 

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Careful @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

But care must be taken at all times. The dark side is calling. 

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Woodlands @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

How did it come to this, you may wonder?

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Space limit @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

We simply ran out of space.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Overwhelming @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

The amount and variety of visitors are often overwhelming.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Duo @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Safety is another significant factor. 

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Upfront @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

The newly formed horse duo, Sunshine and Larry, are our largest visitors by far.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Roaming @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Their feeding bay is the front yard, but a visit to the outback could be fruitful.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Back again @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

As stubborn as Arabian horses are, there’s no holding back.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Duck! @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

The duck train rails in from up front as well.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Hoover@Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Every last seed gets sucked in by these natural Hoovers.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Sightful @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

It is a sight for sore eyes.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Swamp specialist @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Recent wet weather conditions lifted my spirits as well.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Puddles @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

The Gras-plains are muddy and saturated and attract even more visitors.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
High heels @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Gumboots are quite trendy though.

Northern New South Wales, Australia
Viral @Northern New South Wales, Australia

I needed a project to keep myself preoccupied as weather and viruses caused havoc all around. 

Northern New South Wales, Australia
Inside the box @Northern New South Wales, Australia

I ought to think outside the box and elevate my creativity.

Northern New South Wales, Australia
Inspiring @Northern New South Wales, Australia

And what better material to use than driftwood?

Valle Beach, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Stacked @Valla Beach, Northern New South Wales, Australia

The idea came from the driftwood itself, stacked up on beaches.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Fun @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

It was so much fun to create, I can’t say it often enough.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Addition @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Menthol and physical stimulation are just what the doctor ordered. 

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Brainstorm @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

A moment of ideas shot through my brain!

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Dugout @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

And so I started digging. And measuring. And calculating.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Inspiration @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

It all started with one thought, everything else happened naturally.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Shark fin @ Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

I had already mentally positioned the next wooden component whilst digging into previous projects.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Location @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

I knew exactly which rustic piece of driftwood wood be added at what location.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Facelift @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Which side would face the veranda, and therefore the camera. What background suits best?

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Fun Park @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

And that’s what came out of it. Une Parque du Ballet.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Naturally decorated @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Belinda added an inspicibly touch of decoration, natural and practical.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Waiting game @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

I can’t wait on what’s to come.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Oodles @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

There’s oodles of space and an abundance of refill stations.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Regional visitor @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

The bohemian tree will flower first, attracting even more visitors.

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Rare visitors @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Who knows who else will make an appearance?

Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The Precious @Valla, Northern New South Wales, Australia

Frodo and his friends will be having a ball, but need to choose wisely if they are to succeed in the quest for the precious. 

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