JBQ Lost in AUSTRALIA

Sunday 31st May 2009
6.30 am and the days weather looks promising. No rain at all since we have been away except for the other night. Last night the stars were once again magnificent. With no city lights you get to see them all. Breakfast, sandwiches and coffee made we set off for Inverell. Leaving at 9.30 we expected to get there at about midday, which we did. Up to Uralla then along Thunderbolts way into Inverell. Very rocky countryside which is only good for cattle and sheep grazing. Didn’t see any road kill as we drove along on what were much improved roads that we could remember from 29 years ago when we last drove these roads. Not much traffic so we made good progress. I had set the address of where we had lived in Inverell in Tom Tom, which had a problem finding 56 Butler Street. On arrival with Beatrice’s memory coming into play we found the house and the girls schools etc etc. All quite nostalgic really, though I have to admit I couldn’t recall it all as well as Beatrice did. She explained she had to walk the area taking the girls to school and doing the shopping. (Of course I was working all the time.) It was at least 10 deg cooler here and not good for strolling around the town which we did for a very limited time. Enough to recall some past memories but really something that had all been a long time ago and we thought we wouldn’t be back again anytime soon. Happy memories of horse riding, school, social; activities and a way of life that has all passed by. I found where the old Norman Ross store had been, at least I think I did, but wasn’t too sure. Hong Ewens the old Chinese emporium looked gutted and was now partly a small supermarket. We had seen enough and decided to head back to Tamworth.
http://www.inverall-online.com.au/
Stopped at Uralla to view Captain Thunderbolt’s grave, his stature and Thunderbolts rock. This fascination that Australia has for bush rangers and murderers such as Ned Kelly from the earlier days of settlement seems to be ongoing. Very cold here so we hopped back in the car. We were looking forward to a hot meal, shower, reading the Sunday paper and listening to the radio. Up early tomorrow so we can pack up and head north to the warmer weather.
www.uralla.com/history/details.