Wednesday morning, May 1 2024 I was meant to catch the 1142am train to Wauchope, with an expected arrival at 630pm. The train was cancelled due to flooding at Grafton. I was then rescheduled to leave at 3.09pm on the Brisbane XPT; it was terminating at Casino with coaches to areas further north. We finally left Sydney at 3.20pm on a full train. I had been at Central since 10.30am.
The Indian Pacific was in at Central –all 29 carriages of it. It took up Platforms One and Three. The Journey Beyond people hosted a Welcome Reception for their passengers in the Eternity Café, so that was closed to the public.
On the train, I sat next to a chatty lady from Macksville .We both read a book for part of the way. I read Lisa Millar’s book “Muster Dogs” And then we talked of our overseas travels and the Mortons neuroma in our feet! She had backpacked years ago with a then boyfriend from Indonesia , across other Asian countries to India. They were in Afghanistan when the Russians had just arrived, and they did not realise that there was a curfew in place ! I had good company on my long train journey
I arrived at Wauchope at 10pm. The Rail Bus took 8 passengers into Port to the Coach Station, where we waited for taxis. I arrived at my motel in Port Macquarie at 11pm –a very long day .I could have done with a stiff whisky!
I had to join the Port Tour Bus at 910am the next morning at the Coach Station. Terry, an affable fellow, was the coach driver; we travelled via the Oxley Highway for Walcha, a significant primary producing area. Lunch was at the Apsley Arms Hotel in Walcha.
In the afternoon, we travelled to Armidale, where we visited the National Trust classified Saumarez Homestead. Unfortunately, we did not get to see other historical and heritage places: Hanna’s Department Store, the Court House, Post Office, St Peter’s Hall, St Paul’s Church, Central Park and the Racecourse. I will return with Teddy, my well- travelled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, on a road trip to enjoy Armidale. .
We stayed 3 nights at the wonderful Country Comfort Motel in Armidale. I highly recommend this motel if you are visiting Armidale. The chef looked after us admirably for all of our meals. He himself looked as if he enjoyed his cooking!
Day 2 Friday May 3 2024 we set off for Tingha, a quaint old mining town. We visited the Wing Hing Long Museum, which was originally established as a General Store. It has been turned into a Museum to highlight the contributions made by the Chinese to rural communities in NSW. Between 1880 and 1920, a large community of Chinese Miners established themselves in the District. We enjoyed a wonderful morning tea of freshly baked scones and tea whilst there.
Then, on to the Inverell Pioneer Village, where we had lunch, and i caught up with a friend of 60 years, Bonnie .( We has met as 10 year olds on the swings in a Brisbane Caravan Park) The Village is made up of buildings, which have been taken from Inverell and the surrounding areas ,to represent the pioneer days. I loved the classroom in the old school.
In the afternoon, we visited the National Transport Museum. It has an amazing collection of cars, motorbikes, a double deck bus and a 1950’s caravan. I highly recommend a visit.
We then visited the New England Woodturning and Sculpture Store for a wonderful demonstration of didgeridoo playing, and to view the beautiful woodwork pieces. The pieces were available for sale.
Day 3 Saturday, May 5 2024 we left at 8am for the drive to Glenn Innes for the Australian Celtic Festival .The parade through town was to start at 930am, so we had to be there on time. I wore a kilt, and Terry reminded me that “he did not want it coming off, nor did he want any flashing!“
The kilt had belonged to my cousin in Scotland, and she would not wear it, so her mother gave it to me on a previous visit to Scotland. It is a beautiful Pringle, and many people commented on it as to how lovely it was. I doubt whether i can fit into my other kilts (and i have a few) – they are much shorter, and i usually wear tights underneath them Terry, the coach driver, was cautious that it might come off, and he didn’t want any flashing! I did have a kilt pin on to secure it….
Glen Innes was gazetted at the height of the gold rush in 1852. It was settled by Scots. And in 1992, the Standing Stones were officially opened, and are now well recognised for being the gathering point for Celtic descendants and Clans. The Celtic Festival begins on the Thursday and concludes on the Sunday. Next years’ dates have been now announced – May 1-4 2025, which will be the 33rd year of the Festival.
The parade featured local pipe bands with some travelling from Queensland. How wonderful to hear the skirl of the pipes, and to see a multitude of tartans. There is nothing more impressive than seeing a Scotsman dressed in his full regalia.
After the Parade, were driven to the Standing Stones, and then given a wrist band to indicate that we had a Day Pass. We had a lovely day looking at the piping competition, jousting, the hammer throw competition (I am certain that the contestants were a steak a day people), Irish dancing and various stalls, some of which were selling Scottish merchandise. I caught up with Paul and Shona Gibson from Clan Buchanan, which is my clan on my Grannie’s side. Unfortunately, the heavens opened at 3pm, and events were then cancelled. We were due to leave at 330pm, but our bus would not start. A local mechanic fortunately got us started -3 cheers!
I was the after dinner speaker on Saturday night my topic was an abridged Message in a Bottle .talk. This is the story of how I celebrated 100 years since my Scottish Grannie came to Australia in 1912. You can view my You Tube, Anne’s Adventure or view the Message in A Bottle category on my website annefield.net.au. The Australian National Maritime Museum published my story in the June 2023 edition of Signals. Fellow passengers enjoyed my talk and asked questions.
Day 4 Sunday, May 6 2024 we were to visit Wollomombi Falls and Ebor Falls. The weather was inclement, and it would have been wet under foot and dangerous, so we drove on to Dorrigo. We.had coffee and a walk around the town. This is where I met the local celebrity, Rodney the Rooster, who has the run of the town. Lunch was at Canopy Café at the Dorrigo National Park. It was a pity that there was simply no view from the Sky Walk as a result of the inclement weather.
We travelled through Belligen, one of my favourite country NSW towns. I adore the sweet shop in Belligen. On our journey through Macksville, i noticed that there is now a bypass around town. The Macksville Pub was always my favourite lunch spot when travelling north to Coffs Harbour.
Accommodation in Port Macquarie was booked out. It was 37th IRONMAN Championships and Port Macquarie was abuzz with fit younger men and women. I was fortunate to get a room for the night with facilities at the Port Macquarie Hotel. I ate in the bistro at the Pub. The art deco pub is soon to be renovated.
On Monday morning, Brian Peacock, one of my former Councillor colleagues from Rockdale Council (1991-1999), picked me outside the Hotel, and took me to his house in Port Macquarie. Volli, his wife prepared an early lunch, and as always, we had a great laugh. Volli had another engagement, so Brian drove me to Wauchope Station to get the 1.22pm XPT to Sydney. The train was on time. I settled in to read and to enjoy a lovely piece of Brian”s recent birthday cake.
About 330pm an announcement was made that” the train would terminate in Maitland due to flooding on tracks in Sydney. We would return to Sydney by coach. In view of our expected 530pm arrival in Maitland, we had the opportunity to have early dinner.” I had sausages and vegetables for dinner, which was enough to sustain me.
The coach driver was excellent, and we made Sydney at exactly the same time as the train would have been arriving -815pm we thanked the driver by giving him a clap. My Uber driver, Hugo was there waiting for me.
Another wonderful trip over.
May 15 2024 A special thankyou to Port Bus for their Celtic tour flyer.
Saumarez Homestead – Armidale
Wing Hing Long Museum – Tingha
Inverell Pioneer Village – Inverell
Bonnie & Anne in Inverell – We first met as 10 year-olds in a caravan in Brisbane
The National Transport Museum – Inverell
New England Woodturning and Sculpture Store – Gilgai
The Celtic Festival Parade and the Standing Stones – Glen Innes
Rodney the Rooster (a local celebrity) and the National Park – Dorrigo
