Col & Jenny

[BruceS]

Was a lovely get together Col and good to put names to faces again.
Bernie & Carol are on the move early AM towards the guts of our big country.
Safe traveling everyone and take time to smell the flowers!!!

[SteveW]

Sorry. Coals to Newcastle!

[Dot]

Guess who are in the yard? they came bearing pumpkin scones and muffins so they were allowed to park up.

[Col49]

We left our delightful hosts at Strathalbyn today and tonight we are parked up in Auburn just south of Clare, a bit cool with a light sprinkle of rain falling.
Visited Mt Lofty on the way, the parking area is not friendly to caravan travellers when hitched up, anyway parked up near the TV towers and walked to the look out, would be a great view on a sunny day.
The M1 descent into Adelaide is steep but I believe the descent on the Thunderbolts Way into Gloucester is more taxing on the tow car.
Col

[Col49]

Monday we arrived in Clare after rain at Auburn overnight, wandered about Auburn as well as Claire, rain coming so we camped up early at Claire Valley racecourse, left today after packing up while raining and headed for Burra, here we walked around and visited various old buildings and displays, trying to keep warm and dry.
Now camped at Burra showground and considering what we will do as the weather options are not great anywhere for tourists.
Col

[Dot]

Col there are other activities to be done other than the going out and getting cold Burra has some beaut old buildings to go snooping around. Rug up and go for it. Cost of showgrounds is ?

[SteveW]

Go to the Burra Information Centre and pay a small deposit for a key and a map to all the very interesting sites to see around the town. You'll be surprised at things you would otherwise miss - like the dugout "homes" in the river bank, the gaol, the brewery, etc., etc.

[Col49]

Burra showground cost is $15.00
Visited the Burra mine museum and the clouds parted while there, we had a good walk around.
We had a look in the display miners accomodation at Paxton Square, certaintly a step up in accomodation from the miners dugouts, imagine how damp they were during winter months.
Looked inside the Anglican church at the beautiful stained glass windows, the 4 original S T Gill landscape paintings of the Burra mines in the Art museum are worth a look, Jenny's father was an artist so she appreciates these types of paintings.
We are now in Jamestown and are going to visit a guy who makes working models of tractors in the morning.
Col

[Dot]

So it was worth saying around then? Did the $15 include power?

[Col49]

It was worth staying around, enjoyed the area.
Power is included at showground, we didn't hook up, with the gas heater and the Lithium battery system we were ok I had previously charged the batteries up at the Clare race course.
Yesterday we drove onto Jamestown, while there we visited Elaine's patchwork and quilting shop, she has good stock levels and at least 60 vintage sewing machines on display and many more out the back apparently. She told us about her husband's hobbies which is centerd on building working models of tractors, he has a Twin City tractor, a Versatile articulated tractor, a Cat D10s dozer,a Cat tracked type tractor, a John Deere, a Landrover and various old engines. Also on the wall is about 12 model timber Dunnies, some with mechanical and audio functions.
The Cat tractor took 9 months to build all from scrap metal and he fitted a electric start Honda motor, this one works via a small console and cable. The D10 and a Tank are remote control, the Tank turret swivels, the gun raises and lowers and fires a water stream.
Interesting guy with no mechanical training, just learned by trying and doing, another good shed to look in.
Col