Woolmers Estate 1819

Woolmers. Thomas Archer & his family. All the first sons were called Thomas. This beautiful family home stayed in the family from 1819 - 1994. From Thomas the First to Thomas the Sixth.

The extension from the old to the more fashionable, thats English fashionable happened in the 1840's. As per normal, no photo's inside, which was a shame, the dinning room is still set as if they have all gone out for a walk....side board, candles, silver service etc...incredible!
Most of these Estates became small villages, with originally convict workers, the Archer family gave the convicts better conditions than most..Stephen could not resist the double toilet!!

Just inside the rose garden (which goes on and on) there was this cute pergola...thought we looked like Bill and Ben...if you can remember them you are showing your age!!!!!!

The old car, this Wolseley was bought by Thomas V for his honeymoon touring Tasmania and then when the farm equipment was in short supply, after WW1, it was used to tow trailers around. Still in original condition......

Strike the pose in the Cellar.....

The original horse -drawn water pump.....
Windmill.....technology on the move.

The sheds and the Cider Room. The large wheel below is for crushing the apples...not sure how they collect the juice?

We then went to Christ Church, a small but cute church high on the hill not far from Longford.

We had heard that the ashes of the Artist Tom Roberts were to be found here and as the searching for things like this is one of my passions (quirks according to Stephen) we went to find the headstone.

Not sure what his connection with this area is, as he died in Victoria...can only assume that his wife, also interned here, has something to do with the area.

Lake Barrington to Longford

From there we soldiered on through quaint little villages, Mole Creek & my very favourite Chudleigh I just love that name !!!!!

On towards Deloraine, first stop Ashgrove Cheese for a sample of their fabulous range of cheeses. They also had a large number of painted cows scattered about, reminding us of the Cow Run in Margaret River.

This is Commando Cow....
This Lass kept an eye on you as you came in.....
A couple of them in the garden bed keeping an eye on visitors cars ! Photo not taken of the next stop which was Christmas Hill Raspberry Farm.....oh my ...... chocolate covered raspberries...scones....yum!!!!

In Deloraine the Yarn and Silk Display within the Museum was enchanting.....check these out..
Four huge panels depicting the history & life in Deloraine.


......then the detail of the Quoll...amazing...!!

Out back was the Snarers Shed...with pelt and tools and snares.

More indication of how things were in times gone by.

An Aquaphone...check it out. It had many musical instruments operated by water which runs down the timber spiral.

Statute of the local favourite who won the Melbourne Cup...stands proudly at the front door.

Departure of Lake Barrington

On Australia Day before the amassed millions arrived Alison & I took The Titanic for a pedal over to the water fall. We were later told there used to be another 2 cascades before they flooded the valleys for the dam. I was very proud of her effort with her hips !
On the morning of our departure we awoke to a valley full of misty rain..... pictures do not do this place justice.

On Australia Day a couple of kayakers risked all the ski boats & jet skis to invite us over the way to the "West Kentish Aquatic Club" for a drink & BBQ if we liked. "it's just a 20 min. walk"

It is in the trees above left, with a beaut lawned area on the other side. Great people but prone to exageration , VERY up hill & down dale !

We had a great time at happy hour & they then ferried us back in a tinnie 2 @ time. Thanks guys !!!!

They did also mention that technically we were not supposed to camp on the waters edge, ah well........

Railton and Sheffield

We went for a day trip while staying at Lake Barrington, to a small town by the name of Railton. This town is like many of the towns in Tassie..they pick a theme and become known for it. Railton is Topiary. These figures stand by the memorial...quite eerie.

Could not resist the elephant and baby...
The gardens have a mass of different examples of Topiary...eagles, wombats, fishermen...

Then on to Sheffield...known for its Murals. This corner store has a story all about the original G.J.Coles...

.....if you blow this one up (click on it twice) you can read the story.

Then a fascinating Marble Store...what all young kids like....
...and adults to. Some of this stuff was amazing and pictures don't really give the full effect.

On the way back to Turtle we stopped at a small winery....wine okay tree incredible...nick named the Goblin Tree.

Lake Barrington

After a false start..in that we went to a free camp and it was basically shut..we were told of this little gem..Lake Barrington. We decided that as the camp was soooooo gooood..we would sit here for a few days that included Australia Day. That meant that the Titanic (seen above) and the Son of Titanic got their first launch.
The weather was perfect..the scenery idyllic..the only low point was the yobos and their night noise right outside our window....!!
A small waterfall that we were told about..also this is were the fish were. Te rest of the Lake is used for skiing, jet skiing, and also the Australian Rowing Team were there practicing for the 8's,4's pairs and solos, for an upcoming event leading up to the Olympics.
Yep he tried!!!!
But Richard caught the Black Fish that they could keep. Also a couple of Eels, one of which Stephen smoked...not my cup of tea.
Not a bad site...as Richard said were do we go from here, will we find another free camp like this?!

The Arrival of the Paynes and Trip to Tassie.

Firstly, our apologies for the delay in the blog update.

After we left for Tasmania we were in a no signal zone...then we have had endless issues to upload the photos...so better late than never ...here we go!!!The arrival of Richard and Sandra was for me the beginning of the holiday. We have had a fairly rough run and were just about to go to Bev's (Stephen's cousins) funeral, so their arrival lifted our spirits. Here there is a picture of the two vans...we hope many more photo's of these friends will ensue in the next three months.
Of course we had to go to the door way to heaven...the Vic Market...lots of goodies...but only the ones we were allowed to carry to Tasmania....pate, dips, cheese etc.( that's the three of them under the lamp post.)
The dawn run to the Spirit of Tasmania...thats the Payne's van ahead!
The old jetty stumps with the West Gate Bridge in the back ground.
Three thousand passengers on this luxury ship.....us on the little ferry on the other side of the jetty!!!
Met another couple Barry and Di...long nine hours but still good fun...rather annoyed the restaurant was not open on day trips anymore...what a waste.
Jet skiers playing at the Head of the Bite...must be mad..
Richard on the top deck.....looks calm but there was a big swell pushing us about.
Amazing..that is a whole line of caravans...six lanes per deck...three decks...thats lots and lots!!
We made it to Davenport and sat for a well earned glass...bring it on..the holiday begins.