Well, we have received the first of spring rain in the last week or so and the countryside is taking on some of those beautiful shades of green and dams are filling up. Dungog has been luckier than the Upper Hunter but we know the summer ahead will be hot and can still cause great devastation. Activities start to decrease as we approach the summer months but walking in the cooler climate of the Barrington Tops is pleasant and should not be missed. The rivers have been topped up with this rain and there is nothing like cooling off with a picnic on the Williams, Paterson or Allyn on a hot afternoon.