Australia Day

Flying the flag for Australia Day

After leaving Glen Innes we headed back through Tenterfield and east to Tabulam  We decided to stay at Wrenbrook Retreat just outside Tabulam for a week which included Australia Day. Spent the week here without going out and just enjoyed the natural surroundings.  I had a couple of games of golf on the 9 hole "paddock" golf course and on the warmer days took full advantage of the pool for several refreshing dips.

A great camp with a view over the valley.

Up early to watch the sunrise

On Australia Day, after the traditional flag raising ceremony followed by a game of cricket, Kerry prepared a BBQ lunch for the guests which included kangaroo, prawns, home made rissoles, chicken shaslicks and bread & butter pudding to finish off.  In the afternoon after a few drinks we all gathered and played Finska under a shady tree until a storm came in and made us all scurry around to get things out the heavy rain.  Was a fair old storm with strong winds, driving rain, thunder and lightning.

A pleasant way to cool off in the pool

Another great view over the dam and valley

Leaving Wrenbrook we headed south, stopping at Casino to stock up and continued on the Summerland Way towards Grafton. Due to missing the turn off, had a little adventure which proved to be quite scenic.  Travelled alongside the Clarence River to Lawrence where we caught the Ferry (3 lane!!) over the River and drove onto Maclean.  Finally made it late in the day to Chris and Mike's home at Gulmarrad (was due to arrive after lunch!).  They had room for the van (parked on the slab for the new shed) and had a great catch up and tour through their lovely new home.

Chris and Mikes new home

We had the pleasure of being first to use the shed, well the slab!!

We stayed 2 days with Mike and Chris who took us around to see some of the local sites. Went on a drive to Yamba, via a back road and onto Maclean where we walked up and down the main street. The next day we headed to Ulmarra and had a lovely Pub lunch.  Mike needed some items from Bunnings - one store I have no hesitation in going into (never know what I might need!!), before returning home in time for Happy Hour.  A huge thank you to Mike and Chris for their wonderful hospitality.

Ulmarra Pub for lunch

Hels found the McLeod tartan pole in the main street of Maclean

Glen Innes

Decided to stay at Glen Innes Showgrounds where we had a great site - grass, lots of shade and very clean and tidy.  The Showground has been used since 1873 when the first Show was held.  Over the years many buildings and facilities have been added and a walk around these historic buildings is worth while.  The Main Pavilion is thought to have been built around 1892, with a northern addition built in 1922.  The Cattle Pavilion has stood the time since 1910.  The Showgrounds are a credit to the committee and would recommend to anyone.  Glen Innes also has a lot to offer so a great place to stay and discover the area.  Was only going to be an overnight stay but ended up 4 nights!

View of Glen Innes from Martin's Lookout

During our stay we drove out to the Australian Standing Stones which celebrates the Celtic nations whose descendants contributed to Australian life and reflected the movement of the Earth around the sun, an important feature of Celtic life.  The ancient Celts were farming people who lived across Europe and the British Isles from around 2600 years ago.  The Celts raised stones as calendars to mark the seasons and indicated when they should sow and when to harvest.  The array of 38 standing stones includes a circle of 24 stones representing the 24 hours of the day.  Other stones are strategically placed and each individual stone has significant meaning, including True North, True East, True South, True West plus Winter Sunset, Summer Sunset, Winter Sunrise, Summer Sunrise.  Wise to pick up a Brochure which explains the history in detail - we thoroughly enjoyed the walk around and spent quite some time here. 

The Australian Standing Stones, Helen is sitting in the foreground to give you an idea of the size.

Trying to lift Excalibur

Looking through the Winter Solstice (Sunrise) stones towards the centre

On the western side looking to Glen Innes in the valley

View of all The Australian Standing Stones

Picked up a Heritage Walk brochure from the Information Centre (very helpful Frank), and set out on a great walk around town. Probably one of the oldest building was the basalt stone Court House built in 1873!

Glen Innes Town Hall built in 1887

Old ANZ Bank/The Bank Guest House - built 1884-1886

Built in 1886 with extensions being built in 1903 and 1915. Kwong Sing & Co is Glen Innes' oldest surviving retail business, retaining its original family ownership but now subdivided into several businesses

Reflections in the Glen Severn Holden window of the displayed 48-215 (FX) Holden and the Club Hotel across the road built in 1906.

Court House built 1873 which replaced original Court House built in 1858

Another outing was to the Land of the Beardies History House Museum & Research Centre, which houses a unique and extensive collection of Glen Innes and District artefacts.  This was particularly interesting as the building was the original District Hospital built in 1877 and was only 1 ward for 6 male patients.  Further sections were added at various intervals and was finally closed as a hospital in 1956.   Various displays were in original private rooms and wards, and their was a comprehensive display of hospital equipment including a huge anaesthetic machine.  Boy! we have come a long way in medical equipment today.

Land of the Beardies History House Museum and Research Centre - originally the District Hospital which was built in 1880

Dresser display showing some of the fine silverwork and china of the era

Helen inspecting variety of washing machines including one appeared to have been made out of a keg!

A Kodak mannequin of the era in front of a comprehensive display cabinet of cameras

A century old slab cottage re-erected and furnished as in the 1870s - photo of the colonial kitchen.

Stanthorpe

Left the Retreat and headed back towards Gympie, turning off the Bruce Highway onto Wide Bay Highway then Burnett Highway, having lunch at Nanango.  Turned onto New England Highway via Crows Nest to Toowoomba where we camped at Federation Park free park.  Nice spot however near the main road which was a bit noisy. Departed early and drove into Toowoomba to check out buying a new Awning. After getting a price, headed off to Warwick via New England Highway where we stocked up with food. 

Called into Stanthorpe before arriving at Glen Aplin to begin our house-sit for Frank & Kanakon (Beer) and their two border/kelpies, Milo and Coco plus a 16 year old cat, which kept to herself!  For the next 7 days we were able to sit inside in recliners, watch big screen TV which was great as the Australian Open Tennis had commenced.  First few days was very humid however an electrical storm erupted with some rain which lowered the temperature considerably. Helen was able to wash all the bedding etc so she was happy!  Drove into Stanthorpe which was bigger than expected and had lunch at the RSL Club before stocking up on food (even had an Aldi) before heading home.  The dogs had a walk both morning and night and had a route they followed each time - sometimes they had extra excitement with a few Kangaroos. They were well behaved dogs and were a pleasure to spend time with.

Main Street of Stanthorpe - Post Office on the right with the clock tower

Evening walk with Coco and Milo

Top lunch stop at Tenterfield under some very shady trees

After 9 enjoyable days at Glen Aplin, we said our farewell to Milo and Coco (wonderful dogs), and headed south to Glen Innes, having a great lunch spot at Tenterfield.  As we crossed the Border from Queensland into NSW had to adjust our clocks to daylight savings time - once again a lot of grumbling as had to adjust to new time zone.  Spending so much time around the Border of NSW/Qld during daylight savings time is a pain as the main clock was Qld time and Microwave set at NSW time.