What a fantastic experience we had at the Space Museum in Carnarvon, Western Australia. We were attracted to it by the huge satellite dish visible from the highway but had no idea of the role Carnarvon played in early space missions, particularly the first moon landings.
Continue readingTag Archives: travelling
Back In The Old Days …
I recently visited Boondooma Homestead, in the Burnett region of Queensland, where some fabulous relics from the past were displayed.
I’m sure I learned to type on something like this!
And we definitely had one of these in the backyard when I was a kid – the good old Aussie ‘dunny’ 😬, home to spiders, snakes and blowflies!
This old wagon has seen better days.
Farmyard things …
What a basic existence the boundary rider had!
We are so lucky that dedicated people collect and protect our country’s history for us and future generations.
A Tourist in Tasmania – Delightful Deloraine
I loved Deloraine the last time I visited in 2014 and this time around I think I love it even more.
It has a real arty vibe to it with Galleries, Art Shops, Coffee Shops and Op Shops lining the steep main road that curls around bends on its way uphill from the Meander River as you approach from the East.
Cross the river, cross the railway line and wend your way through the town. So many quirky little shops invite you to explore …..
One of the many coffee shops
The Empire Hotel looks so welcoming.
Wish this was my witches dress!
Here’s one of my favourites. It’s called Elf on the Shelf. I’m pretty sure I know how to speak Zombie – give me a couple of drinks and I can demonstrate it for you, but if you want to study it yourself you can buy the book here.
The Information Centre is at the top of the hill and it’s a MUST SEE visit if you are in Deloraine. In the forecourt is the statue of a famous race horse, Malua, who won Adelaide Cup (1884),Newmarket Handicap (1884), Melbourne Stakes (1884) Oakleigh Plate (1884), Melbourne Cup (1884), Australian Cup (1886) and then went on to win the Grand National Hurdle (1889). What a champion!
But it’s when you step inside that you will discover the amazing Art in Silk exhibition, with a movie that tells you how it was developed as a community initiative and the stunning panels they created. It truly is spectacular. It does cost to view it but it is something you won’t want to miss! These photos were taken when I last visited. It’s a wonder they are not worn out I have shown them to so many people 🙂
Drive around the back streets and you’ll discover lovely old homes like The Manse, with outstanding views over the surrounding countryside.
Happy Campers: There is a Free Camp for self contained vehicles as you travel into Deloraine from the East. Turn right at the Police Station and follow the road around. The camp is well signed. It’s only a short walk into town.
Deloraine is a short detour off the Bass Highway that links Devonport to Launceston. It’s about 55 kms from Devonport and only 50 kms to Launceston. If you are looking for somewhere to stop when you get off the ferry (or you’re on the way there) this little town is well worth a visit!
A Tourist in Tasmania – Legerwood
On the way from Scottsdale to St Helens you pass the turn off to Legerwood. Don’t drive past, turn off the main road and visit this little town famous for it’s carved tree sculptures with a very special story.
At the end of World War 1, nine trees were planted in memory of the seven local soldiers that were killed in the war plus one tree for Gallipoli and one for the Anzacs.
By 2001 the trees were declared a safety hazard, but the local community looked for ways to retain their memorial and Eddie Freeman, the chainsaw artist was enlisted to bring the soldiers back to life in sculpture. With much research and photos, the fallen soldiers have been re-created and each tree tells their story, and of those left behind.
I found the following information about these local heroes on the North East Tasmania Tourism site…..
Private Alan Robert Andrews – died in France on July 25th, 1916 aged 19 years: Alan Andrews was the first soldier born and raised in the area to give his life. A farmhand on his family’s farm, Private Andrews is depicted with his dog, hat in hand, seemingly waving goodbye to his loved ones.
Private Thomas Edward Edwards – died on February 19th, 1918 and was buried in Belgium: At the highest point of what remains of a giant American Sequoia, Thomas Edwards stands with his wife in their final embrace before he sets off to war. Surrounding them are the harrowing scenes of battle mixed with the joy of family welcoming home returned servicemen.
On one limb sits a man with bandaged eyes, suffering from the effects of mustard gas while next to him lies a soldier with a mirror box looking out over the trenches.
Further around the tree a little boy waves farewell as a smiling daughter sits on her grandfather’s shoulders, welcoming her father home.
Private William Henry Hyde – died aged 27 years. In France on July 7th, 1916: Shouldering his lumber, sawmill hand William Hyde stands next to a saw blade representing an industry that was – and still is – part of the life-blood of the community.
Private Robert James Jenkins – aged 28 years and killed near Flers (Somme) July 1st, 1917: The story of Robert “Bobby” Jenkins is perhaps the most poignant of the seven men. Private Jenkins migrated to Ringarooma from England at the start of the 20th century and made his living touring local halls as a tenor. It was in his new found home that he met young Amy (Trippy) Forsyth, and the two were engaged shortly before he went to war.
Private Jenkins fell at the Somme in 1917 and a heartbroken Trippy never married. She kept a photo of Private Jenkins, together with his engagement ring, beside her bed until she died at the age of 76. The photo was used to carve his likeness in the tree, looking across at his fiancé on an opposite limb.
Private George Peddle – aged 25 years and killed at Passchendaele on October 13th, 1917: Private Peddle was the son of George Peddle Snr, famous for his wooden chairs which have now become sought after collectables. Before he enlisted Private Peddle was the Manager of his father’s sawmill, a bushman and a bullock driver.
Private John Henry Gregg McDougall – aged 19 years. Died at Passchendaele on October 13th, 1917: Private McDougall was a porter at the Railway Station, which once stood directly behind the memorial reserve. His statue now stands holding signal flags directing traffic through the town.
It is ironic that Privates McDougall and Peddle both fell on the same day in the same battle at Passchendaele; this would have been very little comfort for their families in such a tight-knit town.
I challenge you to visit this amazing memorial and not get a tear in your eye. It is a truly remarkable tribute by a community to their heroes of the past, particularly as they salvaged the original memorial in such a unique way.
A Tourist in Tasmania – Bridport
Bridport is on the north east coast of Tasmania, a pretty fishing village with many small cove like beaches.
The caravan park and camping ground extends for ever along the foreshore but was cost prohibitive for me at $25 a night for an unpowered site. It did have lovely beach/bush camping areas though.
There are extensive walking tracks around the area and along the waterfront that direct you to some of the local historical landmarks like the old jetty.
The Old Jetty, Bridport
There is lovely safe swimming here in what is delightfully called Mermaids Pool, naturally created by the rocks and the tide. It makes you wish you were a mermaid!
At the entry to the town you cross a small inlet where a couple of fishing boats are moored and I also noticed fish hatchery ponds on the way in.
I love the look of these old jetties when you look up the creek the other way! They don’t look too substantial, do they?
I was in Bridport to get the canvas replaced on Brutus the Beast, my pop top campervan and I can highly recommend Kerry, the Canvas Man from North East Canvas if you need any canvas work done. I know some of my travelling buddies have often needed awning repairs etc, so he’s your man when you’re in Tasmania! He was so quick – within 24 hours the old canvas was gone and a brand new PVC ‘hat’ was installed.
Happy Campers: There is no free camping in Bridport and the caravan park has a monopoly on waterfront locations. There is free camping at Scottsdale, just 20kms away, but that is the subject of another blog!
Day 7 Photo Blog – Let’s go BIG
My instruction are Today, let’s go big. Photograph something of massive size, inside or outside.
Well, Australia is known for it’s BIG THINGS, like the BIG Pineapple, the BIG Prawn, the BIG Merino and the BIG Banana to name just a few. Travelling through South Australia I came across this BIG old tree near Orroroo. It’s a giant red gum thought to be over 500 years old. It measures nearly 11 metres around the trunk.
-
- Giant Red Gum near Orroroo, South Australia
And then I thought about the BIG Boab Tree near Derby in the Kimberley’s of Western Australia
-
- Look at this!
-
- And me in the tree!
So on my drive into Campbell Town, Tasmania yesterday I stopped and photographed this tree. No, it’s not particularly BIG, but it does have a prominent position in this photo that makes it appear bigger than it is.
At Harvey Dickson’s Country Music Centre near Boyup Brook in Western Australia there’s a BIG guitar –
Harvey Dickson’s Country Music Centre
and in Mataranka in the Northern Territory there’s a very BIG ant hill –
Termite mound at Mataranka
These dainty little orchids I photographed at Lake Indoon in Western Australia look so much bigger than they are as I discovered the Macro setting on my camera that allowed me to get up close and personal –
Spider Orchids
Cowslip Orchid
It’s a BIG effort to keep up to date with these photo blogging challenges ……
Day 4 Photo blogging – Bliss
This has been such a hard topic for me – not because I am never blissful, but I don’t know if I’ve ever captured it on film! So I’ve stretched my mind and come up with the following…..Are they blissful? I’m not sure, but they did make me feel very happy.
In 2015 I finally visited some of Australia’s iconic landmarks.
Uluru, Northern Territory, was once known as Ayers Rock.
Kata Tjuta, formerly known as The Olgas, is a short distance from Uluru.
And then heading north from Alice Springs are the famous Devils’s Marbles.
-
- Devil’s Marbles Northern Territory
-
- Neatly stacked by nature!
-
- It’s all a balancing act!
Bliss? Sitting around a campfire with fellow travellers at the end of the day.
Jose was our resident fire lighter!
And being visited by the locals at some wonderful camp sites –
I’ve got the feeling I’m being watched!
The locals called in for a look!
Wild birds? Sitting on my knee? Gotta love it!
My idea of absolute bliss? Lying on a pristine beach, feeling the sun warm you to the bones and drifting off – not to sleep, but to that blissful state of being aware of what’s around you but not being part of it at all. Now that’s hard to capture with words, let alone a photograph!
10 days of photo blogging – Day 2
Day 2 – Street
I usually avoid busy streets preferring to spend my driving time on the open road. This road travels between Millstream Chichester National Park and Karijini National Park in Western Australia. It filled my home with red dust and rattled cupboards open, but oh, the scenery …..
And now for something completely different …… this is the main street of the little town of Baliingup, in Western Australia. I’ve discovered so many of these country towns have some quirky little feature that makes them memorable.
I’m so lucky my lifestyle gives me this variety of experiences.
10 days of Photo blogging – Day 1
Day 1 – Home
My blog, The Snail Trail, is so called because I really do ‘travel with my home on my back’! As many of you know my home is Brutus the Beast, my trusty little campervan, so my home goes with me as I travel around Australia.
Here’s a place I really enjoyed calling ‘home’ last Christmas – Stockton Lake, Western Australia.
Looking across the lake from my ‘verandah’
A Tourist in Tasmania- Spiky Bridge
When you drive south from Swansea on Tasmania’s east coast you pass an interesting old convict construction called Spiky Bridge. It’s about 7kms south of Swansea on the Western side of the road and there is plenty of room to pull in for a closer view.
The old road from Swansea to Little Swanport (Triabunna)
History has it that the bridge was constructed by convicts stationed at the Rocky Hills Probation Station and until the road and bridge was constructed it was a perilous journey from Swansea to Little Swanport, near Triabunna. The story goes that a particularly bumpy ride home after a night out prompted the Superintendent of the Probation Station, Major de Gillern to commence the roadworks and construction of the bridge.
Photo from On the Convict Trail blog
The bridge was built of stones gathered locally and was a dry stone wall construction. (no mortar or cement used). Blogger, On the Convict Trail, explains the groove in the wall –
Also of interest is the interesting engineering design built into the bridge for the removal of water from the bridge roadway. Clearly visible on the outer face of the bridge is the water channel running down to the arch beneath the bridge, leading down from a slot at the base of the roadway wall. A very simple method for the times to keep excess water away from the roadway surface.
Why did they make it so spiky? Well, no-one really knows the answer to that question. One theory is to stop cows falling off the bridge into the gully below but the more popular theory is the convicts did it out of spite to exact revenge on their supervisor, or just because they could! I rather like the second theory, don’t you?
I wonder why they made it so spiky?
The Snail Trail 