Wed, 17th Dec, 2014 Deloraine Racecourse Rest Area (Deloraine sightseeing)

Woke to lovely blue sky and sunshine. Amazing how the weather changes here so quickly. Worked on my blog. Now the clouds are closing in again.

Mr Ed enjoyed some carrot.

The ladies are out playing tennis next door. Thought of Valerie. Will have to give her a call soon to hear about their trip overseas.

Put on our walking boots and off to explore Deloraine. Headed over the suspension bridge – certainly gets a bounce up as you go across.

Carrying on with our Historical walk. Bonney’s Inn was originally known as the Deloraine Inn was built in 1830s by John Bonney. It is the town’s oldest remaining building. A public house had operated near the site from about 1830. The business proved so successful that in 1853 Bonney built the large hotel next door, to which he transferred both name and licence. It is now a block of flats, restaurant and B&B accommodation.

The Baptist Tabernacle is a fine brick building which came about through the generosity of William Gibson, a wealthy grazier from Perth, Tasmania. He gave the congregation his prize ram which had won the Royal Melbourne Show Champtionships. The 1000 guineas it raised, built the Tabernacle which opened on 26^th December, 1880.

Headed up a slope across from the weir to Harvey’s Mill. This was built in 1850s by Samuel Shorey. It was bought by William Harvey in 1896. It is built of bluestone and brick with two feet thick walls and one foot square pitsawn wood supports. The one ton mill stones of imported French quartz, were first driven by a steam engine and later by a Crossley kerosene engine. The mill once produced flour, oatmeal and rolled oats.

Above the mill building is the house known as St Ives. This was the residence of Samuel Shorey and built by him at the same time as the mill.  The bluestone for both buildings was quarried from behind the house.

We walked back along the river and past Bonney’s Inn again where I noticed their letterbox. The flying pig does exist!!

Heading into town past the many artists, craft, antiques shops. Loved this rocking chair.

They had lots of pewter charms and pendants for sale by weight. I wanted a state of Tassie one but they didn’t have it so chose an echidna and a wombat. They didn’t have any penguins so will have to keep a look out now for one.

There are a lot of items made from silk here, like this privacy screen. Snuck this photo in then Steve said there was a sign saying “no photos”. Oops.

This is now the Library but was original the Post Office.

The florist had some lovely flowers. Liked the lavender.

Deloraine has many Streetscape Sculptures along the main street. The sculpture were designed through community consultation and then created by local artists. They were carved from polystyrene and then sand-cast in aluminium at the 2002 Craft Fair. I chose a few to photograph.

Farmer & his dog

Guitar Man

Love the whopper Trout.

The Ye Olde British Hotel looks grand.

The caver – it is of the local lady who takes tourist caving in some amazing places.

We are back opposite the Information Centre at the end of the Streetscape Sculptures looking across at the Great Western Tiers. You can really see why they called the “Tiers”.

Walking back down the other side of the street past this lovely house and garden.

Little bell flowers are so cute.

And of course more roses.

A bicycle lawnmower. We saw one like this in Sofala, NSW.

Good Christmas spirit here too, Laurel & Hardy there to greet everyone.

The Barista ready to make a cuppa.

Being one with nature - The lady and the animals.

Monument to World War 1 with these German Trench Mortars.

Champion Axeman - Deloraine boasts a long line of World Champion Axemen.

The Postie.

The Empire Hotel.

A cute little Morris drove up – surprised the lady by taking a photo of her I think.

The Xtreme Skateboarder amongst the roses.

Back to the Meander River so meandered along it to the pontoon. The ducks moved in quick but we didn’t have any food for them.

Across the river were more of the “Great Western Tiers Sculpture Trail” sculptures. If you can call some balls, sculptures!! It is called “Constellation”. It is formed of six spheres made of coloured polymer concrete. The cluster of objects emphasise the interconnectedness of life and the sphere echoes the community energy of Deloraine – which gains strength from its unity – Really!! I wonder what that cost the community!!!

This one is called “High & Dry”. It is a large cushion constructed from aluminium. The concept is based on the aftermath of the flooding of the Meander River. The cushion is designed to resemble the way objects are left behind, resting or jammed up against solid matter, and left stranded!!!! You can tell I am impressed!!

Now this is more interesting – watching the ducks duck dive!!!

We wandered down through the Apex Van park on the river and chatted with some of the locals!!!

Shame they didn’t decorate a couple of the lovely Christmas Trees with lights!!

Another bridge to cross to the other side where there was a small duck pond (full of weed) and picnic area.

Nice Oldsmobile.

It was a lovely walk by the river, lots of bird life around.  The little water hens were busy and we saw a cute little chick but he ducked into the bushes before I could get a photo.

The Inner Wheel Club put in several large beds of roses to decorate the riverbank.

The different clubs have done a lot for the community here.

Back to the van for lunch. New vans have moved in near us.

The council are resurfacing the road near us so rather than take the car we decided to walk up the road again to the Scenic View marked on the map. Good walk up the hill too!!! Great view back over Alveston area – not sure what the hill is called.

Passed this old shack which looks condemned, then a lady came out and put her garbage in the bin. Amazing they are living in it.

Looking over part of Deloraine, quite hilly little town.

Grand old house is called “Arcoona”. Maybe I should have gone into the History place to learn the story of some of these places.

On top of the ridge was a farm with sheep and two headed Alpaca – Push me Pull me!!!

Cute little lamb hasn’t lost his tail yet.

Picked up some fleece that was on the ground – very oily.

Not sure why they have Mohawk haircuts!!!

Down the steep “Beefeater Street” to an Old Shop, called The Briars.

We saw the mill from the top of the rise. It was Clayton’s Mill and is now a home. He certainly has a good stack of timber.

These are unusual flowers and plant.

Chatted with the lady who owns this garden. She also has raised vegetable gardens on the left.

Some more old cottages.

Bluestone Grainstore is now a residence. Would be great to see how they renovated it inside.

Now isn’t he a cutie – no idea what he is called.

Steve wanted to check out a store called “Elf on the Shelf” – alternative art, craft, food, plants etc – some very nice things and a few more whacky ones. I wasn’t game to take any photos of the items inside. Some lovely flowers in the garden section.

Thought $35 was a bit dear for this plant though.

Stopped off at the pub for some wine for happy hour with our new neighbours. They are ex Tas/WA and the other couple were WA. Very interesting conversation about where and how to register vehicles and vans etc to get the cheapest rego.

Erica rang as she has got a new phone, same as mine, on the same prepaid so she can ring for free after 6 too. Great catching up with them. I told how to press the loud speaker button so we can have 4 way conversations now.

Rang Wendy for a long chat. She mentioned that she had passed on my blog address to a few others which is lovely.  Then we rang Andrea for all her news too. Do miss my lunches with the girls and all the chat as we wander through the shops!!! But at least we can still have catchups on the phone.