Horrible histories

We've spent the last few days driving through New South Wales country areas: sheep, cattle, farming. Lovely countryside  with friendly folk. But when you look deeper into the history of these towns and cities, it looks less friendly, and to be frank, we might just talk about horrible histories instead. Not that the kids' educational TV-show - to my knowledge - has ever showcased the massacres, poisoning and disease that nearly wiped out all Aboriginal people in early 19th century. This happened to the Ngarabal people of Glen Innes, for example, whose culture and hunter-gatherer lifestyle was nearly totally replaced by Scottish newcomers, their culture and a farming lifestyle.

This land is only loan to us all, and it is something I, as a relative newcomer to Australia, have lots of gratitude for. It pays to be respectful and understanding towards the modern Australian culture for one, but even more importantly, towards the original Australians who allow us to camp in the land they belong to, since 1788.

- M -

Welcome to Glen Innes, celtic country. For some reason I always thought this was Aboriginal land, and at least the flag still flies for them, if only in the background.  Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.

Thanks to farming of introduced species, we got to enjoy these beautiful local fruits in Applethorpe.

Here it is, "Tender to phantom", also known as the shopping trolley when we can't park near the shops - or fruit stalls in this case.

This old Ford tells about the farming history of this area. For the kids it was great entertainment at a rest stop near Stanthorpe.

Road show

Absolutely cold waking up along side beautiful Curtis park. What do you expect, being 1000 meters above sea level in the highest city in Australia. Tamworth was great and a relief to leave because the shallow pockets were starting to get holes in them at the big Tamworth show..... Not to mention the politics and persuasion that took place, because every ride was to be ridden according to the kids. Got over that huddle with them using Armidale and the exact words "Let's see what Armidale has to offer."

Ok, what was it. The Friday 13th pastafarian prayers (good for the kids) or just my bad luck.
We drove straight in to the Armidale Autumn Festival: rides, rides and rides. The kids have one over me as to being able to go to two festivals in two separate cities in one day. At least we sat right under the fireworks! If we were any closer we could have lit them ourselves. That's enough shows for the year, let's get back to some serious travelling, whatever that may mean.

Australia is growing up - or growing down - whichever way you want to look at it. I've hiked these roads 15 odd years ago, and I must say, the cultural diversity now is unbelievable. Just while writing this line, it is so good to hear the church bells on a crisp Sunday morning. Hope that never changes. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.

- D -

Keeping the peace

Totally under control

Three in one, encouraging each other

Dad unwillingly filling in

Where's the guns?Australian armoured troop carrier

The only free entertainment at the show, haha...

Let's go bush

"Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free..."

Those words are so true when you live like we do. Especially in the best country on Earth. So all you anthem loving, dinky di, fair dinkum, fundamental Australians, stop dreaming and start living. Check it out, you'd be surprised how amazing your home country can be. Like the famous Australian Ernie Dingo says: "Go on. Get out there!" And I must say, it is so much more pleasurable doing it in your own home, be it a Ford econovan or luxury motorhome  you can still enjoy it all the same. As for my wife and I, before we grew up, we started in a mozzie dome in the back of a Nissan Navara ute for more than three months around the Kimberleys. And at the time that was luxury (maybe just being together). Funny enough, after five kids it's still luxury being together.

Now that we have the phantom, life is much more simple. Don't get me wrong, because it still doesn't stop the sink from blocking up, the black water from being dumped, and all the other little hiccups that took the place of mowing the lawn and cleaning the gutters, etc. But the one thing I haven't got away from is picking the dog  poo up. Thank goodness he doesn't do it inside the home, or that would be his last poo. 😀

Now that the power source is functioning at full capacity, the man cave is reasonably sorted and the family is all geared up for an inland change as we have been on the beautiful NSW coast for a couple of months. The itinerary for departure is set! Justthethought of heading out bush brings on the craving for a roo tail over the fire, even a bit of roo kidney or liver or some wild goats... We're heading up New England Highway, so property owners up that way who will swap a good day's work for a hunt on your land, drop us a line.

- D -

Check...

...check...

...check. All set to go!

We LOVE the beach too, and will be back after some bush bashing