Today we drove a short way from the shearer’s quarters to the start of a nature drive. A Goat feeder was the first item of interest. The goats are fed here for a while and get used to being in the area and can then be rounded up more easily
Yellow footed rock wallabies are also found near here. They are left to themselves as much as possible so our walks avoided their area.
There were some really great Bullock bushes on this walk.
Bev had believed that these are revered as they are like the ancient aboriginal men guarding the gorges. In fact this is actually a tale that Craig told Bev and she believed. And I believed her.
1.4 km in to the walk we came to Barry bore. Here there are three solar panels and water is pumped back to the homestead. The old shed which now holds the solar controller once held a Diesel engine and then, briefly, a generator ( while the solar was not yet in use)
We enjoyed a short deviation into a bit of a rocky gorge, while some chose to do the rock hopping, and others opted for a longer sit at the entrance to the gorge.
Morning tea was had as we emerged from the gorge. This was a seemingly endless array of treats from the station kitchen and various walkers. (Yum)
Turning towards home, we headed for a saddle, crossing over an area of beautiful pearl bluebush and picked our way between the good variety of vegetation ( including lots of spinifex) , stopping to reassemble the group at the top before heading down the other side.
The walk back from here was a real treat. A Park like setting was produced by the beautiful bullock bush, spinifex and various salt bushes as we walked back between hills sporting dramatic pillars of red granite. This is the area they call the pillars of the earth.
We stopped briefly at Warner’s bore ( with mill) on the drive home, hearing the sad story of the goats trapped in the tank of the bore. Numerous bones in the tank are testament to the truth of this sorry tale.
After a filling minestrone soup and sausage roll we had a grand tour of the partially restored shearing shed ( seven shearer’s stand) and the restored wool press before showing off our own camper to those who are interested.
We also got some insight into how others pack for camping from Ian and Sheila and will make some changes to our set up accordingly.
Emus and wombats seem to be regulars in this country. There have been a group of five emus in the area which we see every now and again all week, and wombats next to their burrows sighted going in and out from most of the walks. These seemed usually to slip down into their burrows fairly quickly as we drove past.
On this, our last evening we queued as usual for a shower ( men’s, ladies or unisex-for couples) in the 3 shower block and then headed across for nibbles at 4 pm instead of dessert.
This bled into thankyous and a time for history. Bev had set us some history tasks (make your own explanation of these epitaphs) and a few of us had something to share. Eliza Kennedy’s epitaph said “Her charity covers a multitude of sins” Bob shared the sad song of Eliza ( a plain maid) who lost her heart to a cheating salesman from Sydney and died a lonely death near Cobham.
I told the tale in rhyme of Eliza Kennedy , who stole from her employer to clothe the poor.
Eliza worked for Bill the Draper (number 10 Main street) She'd often see the desperate souls with nothing left to eat. They'd walk around in rags and be so cold in winter time. Their families were not so blessed as to have work up at the mine. Eliza took some scraps of fabric (left overs she woudl find) Surely Bill the Draper, wouldn't really mind?? As others slept Eliza sewed for those who needed most And through the day she "saved" more scraps as she worked at her post. Until the day the truth showed clear. Bill saw what she had done. He cornered her and as she cowered, shot her with his gun. So did Eliza earn her death by choosing this to do? or was she saved by following a heart so kind and true? I like to think her gravestone has the final word today If more space were available it really ought to say "Although she stole the fabric, needles, cotton and the pins Her charity it covereth a multitude of sins"
Verna told us of her great great grandfather who came to Tasmania as a convict and settled in Inman Valley. We had been wondering about him all week after reading his epitaph. “ God knows the secrets of his heart”.
Lasagna for dinner was followed by one final campfire and some dancing-including an attempt to learn the Jerusalema dance. ( music supplied from Kevin’s boom box)
Luvapuzzle 