It’s showtime!!!

September 14, 2015July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Is it possible that we could had the trip highlights two days into to a month long trip. Day one was spent driving up to Manchester from Heathrow but day two and three both lived up to and exceeded all expectations.

Bowes Agricultural Show

After a rare blue sky day it began raining during in the night and was pouring while we packed the car to head another twos North to attend the Bowes Show at Bowes.

This is England after all. the drive was good and the rain did start to ease. We

decided that we would find a bakery for a late breakfast in Barnard Castle is a market town in Teesdale, County Durham, England.

It is named after the castle around which it grew up. It is the main settlement in the Teesdale area, and is a popular tourist destination.

It was still raining a fine but persistent rain so it was off to purchase a pair of gumboots (wellies here) for me, Sharpy was all set in the trusty RMs. They may just be the best £12 I have spent. After coffee and a very tasty mushroom and cheese toastie it was off to the show.

After following the signs we arrived in a what yesterday would have been a big open field with 6 to 8 inches of meadow grass and that would be all.

Today however, they opened the gate added gatekeepers (£5 pound entry) a few marquees, portable sheep yards (wooden) seven roped off rings for horse events and there you go we have a show.

After slipping and sliding into the parking in the adjacent field we headed in. The rain had almost stopped and the sky was lightening up so look like there was going to be a break in the weather.

What a welcome, the gate keepers were very welcoming and gave a full run down of what to see and where to go to see it, even though it was all laid out before our eyes. We bumped into the show president who gave us the same warm welcome.

After chatting for a while we made a bee line for the sheep judging with a brief stop to watch the little kids and the ponies going through their paces. Oh and a quick look at the tractors Sharpy found his fathers tractor on display.

The sheep were in two lots the registered (stud) and unregistered (flock).

Talk about liquorice all sorts, who’d thought sheep come in more colours than black and white or a combination of the two. Well yes they has the black the white but also blue faced, yellow, and even some with pinkish wool.

Not treating mobs by the 1000 here

So many different breeds and not a merino not even a dorset or border which I expected. They were definitely what what we would call exotic breeds.

It was fun to watch the judging which was the same as at home but they never once looked at the wool, conformation and muscle seemed to be the areas the judges were looking at.

After and hour of so we headed back down the hill to check out the pavilion/Marquee display of crafts, cookery and produce competition.

We detoured to a food van via the two side shows for a steak burger and chips for lunch, nary a dagwood dog to be seen.

It was fun to watch all the little kids and their sometimes wayward ponies getting ready for their events some led some riding independently or at least going where their ponies wanted to go.

Back in the marquee which was lined with trestle tables loaded all sort of cakes, jams jellies, eggs, pies and crafted of all sorts from painted rocks to vegetable characters and the usual photography and crafts.

Handwriting Competition

Even a class for you Ruth Reid and Judie Lordan, handwriting competition, and just quietly you both would have been in the ribbons.

The cakes were good but not up to standard of usual competitors at the Bourke and other local shows in NSW.

There were definitely no Margaret Mitchell/ Marie Stephenson sponges to be seen.

After almost two brief periods of weak sunshine the rain came back in and we decided to return to the car for our drive back to Manchester.

Remember that field of 6 inch meadow grass I described from earlier well it was well churned into mud and we slopped through mud up to ankles most of the day.

The best part was watching people just treating it as any other day they were all dressed for the occasion which we were thanks to the wellies.

After another long chat and photos taken by the gatekeeper Sharpy left him roaring with laughter with oldie but a goodie (slightly adapted) whats better than a 4 wheel drive (usually company car)…”a hire car’ after he asked if we would be okay negotiating the muddy car park (slippery but not boggy).

Definition of wishful thinking

Not sure Avis weren’t planning on us driving their beautiful almost near mercedes around muddy fields and bouncing out along farm roads for a5 or 6 miles before joining the freeway again.

What a great day that met all expectation and was exactly as I imagined and English County Show.

Flying in and heading north

September 13, 2015July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

The flight…

Room to spare

Emirates has just become my number one preferred airline after fantastic flight from Sydney to Dubai
and Dubai to London.

Maybe my current feeling is due to having a spare seat between us on both legs of the journey, this may the journey very comfortable, of course

I did pick a row that I anticipated there could be a chance of achieving this outcome.

Food was excellent and crew were helpful, not that we called on them. The entertainment options were outstanding with a very extensive variety of programs and games to choose from, anyone that couldn’t find something to watch would never be pleased.

Sharpy true to form watch back to back reruns of Big Bang Theory and I finally watched season 3 (20 something eps) of Hart of Dixie.

The trip seemed to pass relatively quickly and in no time we were touching down at Heathrow, where we had a very slow journey through customs (due to volume of people). We eventually made it through and found our lonely bags sitting beside the conveyor belt. A quick taxi ride and we settled into the Novotel Hotel.

The first drive…

Sam we stopped by on our way out of Oxford

The old body clock that always wakes me at 5am anywhere is still working.

Our second visit

As we were both awake we decided on an early but leisurely breakfast. The buffet was extensive and certainly set us for what turned out to be a full days drive.

After breakfast we jumped on the shuttle bus back to airport to connect with the Avis shuttle to
collect our car.

All set and of we headed, the first bit to Oxford was a breeze a quick stop of to take some photos of the school that Samantha worked at a few years ago and a milk shake from her favourite place in the covered markets it was back on the road.

We had the Chocolate Sam

It wasn’t long before it was evident that weekend traffic was starting in early and after a very slow trip we gratefully checked into the Grant Arms Hotel at

Ramsbottom.

After a pint in the bar we set off for a walk for find some food, we found just what we were looking for at the Railway Hotel just down the street.

The walk did us good and we enjoyed a small shared plate which was all that was needed to meet our needs.

After our first full day concluded as we fell into bed and slept well.

Tomorrow it is show day…

Here we go…

September 6, 2015July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

London – Brussels – Amsterdam – Hungary

The last minute planning is complete and packing done. We are getting better and better at packing light, this is my best effort yet. Looking forward to filling the space with something to remember the trip by.

Finalised what I think we will do on our road trip around the english countryside

After picking up the car we will head north to Ramsbottom to take in a county agricultural show at Bowes, One Day International cricket match, National Stud at Newmarket and anything else we stumble across along the way

My first visit to inland Victoria – Echuca and Bendigo

July 20, 2015July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Up river from Echuca wharf

With a couple days off from work I decided to head to Bendigo with Sharpie to attend the Australian Sheep and Fleece Show.

We decided that we would overnight in Echuca and found staying at the Mercure hotel a pleasant experience. The rooms are older but very clean and being older meant we had oodles of space. The staff were extremely welcoming and made us feel right at home.

Before dinner we took a spin around town for a quick look at this historic port look at option for dinners in the end we decided take up Marcus’ (front desk) invitation to dine in house at the restaurant. This was the right thing to do

Up early for a simple but tasty breakfast at the Beechworth bakery before having a look around this historic town. It is quite touristy these days but you can still imagine and almost hear the bullock drays and paddle steamers loading and unloading cargo.

We set off for the 1hour bit drive to Bendigo and checked into our fun hotel for the next two nights. I found a great deal at the Art Schaller Series Hotel which is the most interesting and fun hotel I have ever stayed in. We knew we were going to enjoy our visit to Bendigo.

The now time to find the real purpose for our visit, the Australian Sheep and Fleece Show, one of the biggest in the country and features many different breed of sheep and all the bi products of these animals.

The craft pavilions were packed with everything from spinning, weaving and all craft activities related to natural fibres. Visitors came by the bus load from Melbourne for this side of the show. I made a few small purchases of leather gloves and ear muffs ready for our trip later in the year. Loving my new ox blood leather gloves and cant wait to find an opportunity to where them. Our interest was with the merinos of which there were plenty to look at along with more than 500 fleeces in fleece judging competition. Sharp was delighted one of clients took out a broad ribbon in the commercial fleece section.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time and it was really worth the visit to this annual event. Sunday was spent driving the eight hours home, we hit the rain that Sydney had been having all weekend at about Holborn and were really please to roll into the garage ready to for a full work week tomorrow.

Our next trip will be to outback of NSW Brewarrina Field Day

With the morning sun rising behind us we headed west…

June 30, 2015April 13, 2024 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

With the morning sun rising behind us we headed west across the Nepean river and up into the Blue mountains.

It is unseasonably warm for this time of the year with not a sign of frost in fact hard to believe it is The end of June more like spring weather.

Breakfast at Cafe 89 in Mudgee, Mudgee is great spot for weekend getaway although with so much to see and do might need several weekends or a long stay to do it justice. Abundance of wineries and 1st class eateries.

Mudgee filled with lots of interesting shops with stylish clothing antiques and other interesting places that one could lose oneself in for a few hours of retail therapy.

After a hearty breakfast, well a delish egg and bacon roll at Cafe 89 in Mudgee we set off for Coonamble via Gulgong Dunedoo Mendoran Gilgandra.

We were making good time but needless to say it was quick comfort stop while fuelling up in Coonamble before the last leg via Walgett to Brewarrina where we arrived at the 3pm which was 9 hours after we set out from Parramatta.

All in all a good trip but as usual feeling a little jet lagged after so long in the car. Brewarrina is where I was born way back in early 60’s
Friday afternoon was for setting up as much of the site as we safely could.

Didn’t want to risk losing any merchandise should it decide to walk during the night. After a quick shower we headed to Bre RSL club for dinner with the MacWool team and some of the product reps also in town for the big event.

We were up bright and earlier after having the pleasure of staying in ‘the big’ house at Beds on the Barwon. A quick breakfast and off to the show ground for final set up.

Sharpy and Hunter were charged with judging the fleeces and yours truly was on the pencil to records the results and completing judging cards.

Pleasing to have 26 fleeces donated to the Bre Field day committee for judging. After the competition these fleeces will make a bale of wool which will be sold by MacWool with proceeds going to the Bre Field day coffers the to help with next years event.

The morning was spent in the wool area with judging was complete and sashes draped over the winning entries

We headed out to work our way through the vast array of stall with everything from clothing to fine silver jewellery

Courtesy Silver from the Sticks

to a demonstration by the Thermomix lady and all things in between. It was a clear sky day which made it very pleasant to catch up with old and new friends alike.

I kept the economy ticking over with purchase of very nice silver bracelet and how could I not buy a Thermomix (been thinking about making a purchase for server so month) reseller only needed to sell one more before June 30 to win a trip to Paris.

Today was her last chance so I took the plunge – I get a thermie and Belinda gets to go to Paris in September.

The drive home was uneventful with only one stop in Mudgee at Cafe 89 for a late breakfast around 10.30am. Another full weekend which saw arriving home in time to wash and get ready for the work week ahead

Next week Enngonia Races (Stop press these were washed out for the 4 time in last 6 years)

Sunrise between Walgett and Coonamble NSW

Our backyard and beyond

June 25, 2015July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

After years of blogging when travelling abroad it has occurred to me my overseas followers might be interested in my travels around our fine country. With several trips planned over next few months I decided to do a few local posts to get my hand in again before next overseas trip in September.

The travel plans between now and Christmas are;

Brewarrina Field Day
Enngonia Races
Bendigo Sheep and Wool Expo
Nyngan Field Day
Louth Races
Europe (London Belgium and two week river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest)
Family Christmas in USA

So our first trip kicks off tomorrow with a almost 9 hour drive to Brewarrina in far west of NSW.

Christmas in Rockhampton.

January 12, 2015July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Christmas in Rockhampton

After a couple of great days in Longreach it was time to head east for a couple nights on the coast at

Yeppoon before checking in to our apartment in Rockhampton for Christmas day.

We set out before daylight as it is about 750 Kms and 8 hours

driving to from Longreach to Yeppoon, our first stop was a the bakery in Barcaldine for a toasted Cheese and tomato Sandwich for breakfast. Our next planned stop was in emerald for lunch. The country was certainly greener as we headed eastwards and evidence of decent storms was everywhere. All though we kept moving we enjoyed seeing the countryside and the little places dotted along the way, Alice , Jericho, Alpha and Willows looked like great little QLD communities.

On arrival in Emerald we found a great little hamburger place for a quick lunch and a bit of a break before hitting the road again for the last leg to Yeppoon.

Before we hit the road again we stopped by the world”s biggest Van Gogh sunflower painting is situated in Morton Park, Emerald. The superstructure is 25 metres high with approximately 13.6 tonnes of steel involved in its construction. It is part of a concept by Cameron Cross to erect seven Sunflower sculptures in seven different countries, reproducing Van Gogh”s seven different Sunflower paintings. Emerald”s Sunflower Painting was finished on 8 November 1999.

The painting celebrates the Central Highland”s reputation as a major sunflower producer.

The rest of the trip was uneventful and were skirted around the outskirts of Rocky and headed up to Yeppoon. Aahh the coast again, love inland but love the coast more I think.

We booked accommodation based on good reviews on trip advisor and can I say the Surfside Motel could be one of the best little motels we have ever stayed in.

Fantastic beachfront location just a short stroll from shops, restaurants, clubs and all services Yeppoon has to offer. All rooms are air conditioned and have cooking facilities, Foxtel TV and wireless internet access. There is a great pool area if you don’t want to walk across the road to the beach and laundry facilities are onsite.

We had two very relaxing days just wandering around and generally resting up, this was very welcome after what has been a very busy year work, travel and family wise. Again the pictures will tell the story or our stay.

On Christmas eve we reluctantly checked out and headed to the fish co-op to purchase our Christmas lunch feast of seafood. Our expectation was that this would take a long time with crowds doing the same thing, the co-op was so well set up for dealing with the volume of people we were in and out in under half an hour. So there was nothing left to do but head south to our next stop Rockhampton.

In no time at all we had driven the 80kms back to Rockhampton and had booked in to the very beautiful Edge Apartments right on the Fitzroy river, we couldn’t believe our luck another perfect place to stay for our Christmas day.

We decided to have our Christmas eve dinner in the Edge restaurant onsite but before heading down to dinner we sat on the balcony and watched the shadows coming across the river. Located on footsteps of Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River, The Edge Restaurant and Bar is Rockhampton’s newest most exciting venue. Offering modern Australian cuisine, friendly professional staff and an atmosphere that is both casual and chic! The staff were friendly and attentive and certainly go out of their way to make sure your experience is a memorable one.

We had one of the most enjoyable Christmases ever, over indulged in our seafood spread (I had a huge mud crab in honour of my dad who always talked about the muddy he used to catch when growing up in Rocky) and a couple very nice bottles of wine. If you can’t be surrounded all the family then this was the next best thing to a perfect Christmas day for us.

On boxing day we checked out and headed further south, planned on overnighting at Hervey Bay before heading on to Sunshine coast for a few days with our friends ‘The Cooks’

One quick stop off in Bundaberg, to visit the factory and store of Bundaberg Rum. While there we picked up some rather nice glasses for ourselves and a set for number one son Mark who is a lover of the product.

After a few days lazing around the Sunshine Coast with the cooks with lots of food, drink and merriment we started the last leg home from our quick summer road trip with a slight detour to meet our newest niece Ember and have lunch with our Beaudesert family.

After another great seafood lunch (purchased at the Mooloolaba fish market) and good catch up with Matt Tish Eli and Ember we hit the road at 2pm and drove through the night arriving home at 2am. A short dinner stop in Coffs Harbour at a very good Chinese just off the highway

All in all we had a great trip and managed to see a lot of the country that we have always wanted to to see as well as the bonus of catching up with friends and family

Check out YouTube video for all photos for this trip

The Stockman’s Hall of Frame Longreach QLD

January 11, 2015July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Longreach Hall of Fame and Qantas Museum

We had a bit of a lie in before heading down to the Eagles Nest cafe for breakfast, this was a real find as we had great meal and lingered over our tea until it was time to check out the Hall of Fame.

The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame is a museum located Longreach, Queensland, Australia, which pays tribute to pioneers of the Australian outback. The centre is also dedicated to Australian stockmen and Aborigines who have shown bravery and courage.

The founder of the Hall of Fame was artist Hugh Sawrey, a well known painter and former stockman, who
had the name registered in 1974, put up the initial funding, and enlisted supporters. His vision was to create a memorial to the explorers, overlanders, pioneers and settlers of outback Australia. This dream was shared by other outstanding Australians, including the legendary R. M. Williams.

Longreach was chosen as the location because of its historical role as a stock route junction and because of its current transport links.

The original information centre, a sandstone cottage built by R. M. Williams, complete with hand adzed timber and black marble floors, was restored to its original character and now houses the Hall of Fame’s growing library collection.

Growing up in the bush meant that I spent a lot of time reminiscing over the various items that were a big part of my early years, it was quite surreal take a photo of the telephone exchange box that connected our party lines with my iPhone 6+.

Seeing the wooden calf cradle (used for marking and branding calves) like the ones my dad used to build in the 60’s before he switch to steel. I remember well when he swapped away one of early cradles for a liver chestnut mare called Rosie, she was well loved part of family for many years.

There is so much to see and read about, as I more visual I will say it with photos rather than words.

Check out my YouTube video of all photos from trip
Sample below

Zipping around outback Qld for Christmas – Getting there…

January 10, 2015July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Our Christmas Road Trip

We decided this year we would visit a couple places on our ‘must see’ places during the Christmas
break. Stockman’s Hall of Fame and the Qantas museum in Longreach in South Western Queensland.

We set off with a detour we not really more a slight deviation to Brewarrina to attended the annual Macdonald Rural Christmas party, this was an opportunity to catch up with clients and friends as well have a Christmas drink with other members of the MacWool team.

We stayed at the fabulous and highly recommended Beds on the Barwon, this place get better and better each time we stay. If you are ever in Brewarrina this is the place to stay, an opportunity to soak up the far west in top notch accommodations, The hospitality of Grant and Melissa Vlatch certainly makes one feel extra welcome.

Next morning we crept out of our cabin and hit the road early as we were planning the next night to be in Charleville 550km and about 6 hours driving north of Brewarrina. Couldn’t pass through Bourke NSW without a quick coffee at Morrall’s bakery, with a quick drive around Cunnamulla to re aquatint ourselves with this once familiar little town before heading on up the road to Charleville in time for a late lunch.

We checked into the very welcoming Charleville Motel where we cranked up the aircon and took a pleasant afternoon nap. Dinner was in house the Menzies Steakhouse it was an enjoyable meal, we both chose steak which was cooked to perfection. Up and at ’em early next morning we decided to get to Blackall for breakfast and get some miles under our belt before it got too hot. We aimed to be in Longreach another 500kms up the road by bit after lunch.

This section was uneventful apart from the best morning tea break at Tambo at a ‘do not drive by without stopping’ place where we had a sensational latte and coffee for Sharpy. Fannie Mae’s is certainly like an oasis in Tambo.

After checking out the ‘Tree of Knowledge’ which is said to be where the Labour Party started in Barcaldine. It is amazing that two icons from our history and life today began within 60 odd miles of one another and are now supported by the Stockman’s Hall of Fame. So much Australian history in one small corner of this vast country, a great place for visitors to get a snapshot of our early history.

After a sandwich in the park while looking at the original Qantas ticketing office in the main street of Longreach.

We decided to visit the Qantas museum today as it was very hot and it was indoors and air-conditioned. The next few hours were spent wandering around this very interesting and well laid out museum, to think a business that started out giving joy rides to local graziers to drum up business has become one of the most recognised brands and a successful world class airlines.

After checking in to the Albert Park Motor Inn, this is an older style motel which very comfortable

and the staff offer a very high standard of service and go out of their way to make you feel very welcome and get the best out of your visit to Longreach. The kangaroos even welcomed us back to our room each day, while they were taking advantage of the verandah shade that ran the length of all the rooms. Dinner was at the local rissole (RSL) excellent inexpensive meal in this quaint little club.

Check out my YouTube video of all photos from trip

Our week in Fiji with the boys

October 7, 2014July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Each year we like to take Ian’s three grandsons somewhere, Last year it was Disney World in Florida and year before that it was to all the theme parks on the Gold Coast QLD.

This year we decided on Fiji for a week of swimming fishing and generally hanging out. We do this to get some quality time with them each
year as our lives are too busy to catch up too often during the year. This also provides them with an opportunity to learn about other places and the benefits of travelling. They are become quite experience travellers these days and are always a pleasure to take away.

So off we go… we had a shuttle collect us from home as it worth when there are five of us travelling. We use Easy Shuttle we have used them at least three times now and they have always provided a good and reliable service.

We flew out with Fiji Airways on Friday afternoon and had a great flight landing at Nadi airport just on dark. Our driver (Pre-organised transfer) was waiting for us and had us pulling up at the Shangri -la within an hour of our getting through customs. All checked in no time and off to check out our ocean view rooms. Both rooms were fantastic located on the second level down near the adult only pool which meant were were well away for those family with small children and larger family groups.

Within a few minutes we headed to the bistro for a buffet dinner. We were on the end of things but it was still quite good and I scored a freshly steamed crab that was left over, bonus.

Up bright and early each day we made the bistro our first port of call for a sumptuous buffet each morning, they boys really enjoyed this meal each day, in fact we usually had a an ice- cream of something really light for lunch.

The next week was spent swimming snorkelling fishing, reading, golfing, eating and generally relaxing. We had a great time and some of the highlights were the reef fishing where both boys caught reasonable sized fish, Kayden and I went parasailing and the boys really loved the pool games every day.

We had a good trip home with a layover in Suva, I would book a direct flight home next time. We arrived home by lunchtime and we returned the boys home before repacking the bags to head to Narromine the next morning to attend Grannie Bowman’s 80th Birthday party.