2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Sun, 7th June, 2015 Railton RV Stop (Sheffield murals and Latrobe’s axemen and cherries)

7.30am it was 16.6 degrees in the van – overcast and windy. Rang Mum and Dad to wish them a happy 54^th wedding anniversary.

Headed off to Sheffield to check out the murals completed in April. No views of Mt Roland this time as the clouds are down low.

This year’s murals are just as good as the ones we saw earlier in the year. They were to be inspired by a poem, ‘Windows of Our Dreams’ by Keith Sommer – “From a place of hope and plenty, Where a wish is all it seems, The wind of change blows gently, Through windows of our dreams.”

Boy and His Dreams by Lindsay Gardam (Tas) – Gazing out over the ocean. What is out there past the land of plenty, wondrous things, adventures in exotic lands. Winds of change blow through the pages of imaginations. Camel to 4x4. In the land of hope and plenty your wish can be more than just a dream.

Hope and Plenty’s Gift of Fantasy by Fereleth Lee and Jane Lemon (Tas) – With her dog ‘Olli’ as companion, a sleeping child sails away on an enchanted journey where illusion and magic are only a wish away. Her dreams are realised in the Land of “Hope and Plenty” until time runs out, and she awakens beside her paper boats.

Traveling Dreams by Nikolay Dimitrov (Bulgaria) – The idea in our project is to depict a little girl, reading a book and dreaming of imaginary places. On the background there is a river made out of papers, already read, being gently moved by the wind. A paper boat and plane are appearing too, symbols of adventures and dreams. The poem by Keith Sommer is written on the page of the opened book behind the girl. Some elements in the composition are going out of the frame, like dreams are who have no borders. (Received the Inder Prize Judges Choice)

Chrysalis Dreaming by Alicia Swiderski and Dorota Swiderski (Tas & Vic) – Time is continuum of change; and we are but an element of its journey. Within this journey exists a cycle of life. As day follows night; So too a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis; Capturing the dreams, vibrancy, energy and spirit of life renewed.

Soul Searching by Frances Rowland Wregg and Yannick Martin (Qld & NSW) – From a place of hope and plenty, from forests and farms, Gothic grandeur of mountains, splendour of stars, We’re always searching for ‘soul’ within our life, Creating myths, legends to explain what’s wrong – what’s right. We’re testaments and epics for Man’s story throughout time, Yet still we go on searching for Inner Self – ‘Devine’. If eyes, then, are windows to the ‘soul’ contained within, Let searching wind soon find us, so dreaming can begin.

Beyond the Barriers by Herb Herring (Tas) – In our material world we tend to build barriers which inhibit our ability to see beyond the walls which enclose us. To look beyond our physical presence, opens our minds to the beauty and majesty of the world around us, and, a little imagination can open a world of dreams.

Wish Upon a Dream by Patricia Smart and Olly Grohs (NSW) – The child is a symbol of hope, filled with the plentiful resources of Tasmania. She makes a wish by blowing on a dandelion as the gentle wind forms the clouds into an ever-changing dreamscape. The scene unfolding is framed by a window between daydream and sleep. (This one received the Judges Highly Commended and the Visitors’ Choice Award – I liked it too).

This one didn’t have an info board but it tells the story of the toy bunny rabbit.

Moondream by Gren Freeman (Tas) – In a land of plenty where dreams and wishes can come true, immigrants arrive with only their suitcases and hopes for a better life. From the cities to the outback, from the coral reefs to the snow on Cradle Mountain, we live together peacefully.

The ones we saw earlier in the year from the 2014 competition have been moved to other boards with past winners etc. We must have missed them when we were here in March for the Steamfest.

Love this one.

And the one of the Wall.

This one we saw in March shows how big they are.

Back in the truck to warm up as we drive back through Railton to Latrobe to find the big platypus. Latrobe’s claim it is the platypus capital of the world!! Too cold and miserable to go looking for one but we found the big one.

Went into the Info Centre where a market was being held – lots of turned timber pieces, paper tole, leatherwork, jewellery, art and handmade products and cafe. The paintings were done with hot glue guns which looked great. The huge hall was supported by massive posts of different timbers from around Australia. Another section was the Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame which was very interesting.

Snuck a couple of photos. There was more information about some of the more famous axemen of Tassie and other states.

Lots of trophies, axes and chainsaws to check out. There was a video of the 2006 World Wood Chopping Championships in Sydney which was great to watch.

Some of the tree shoes, the different logs they chop with the 15 inch one being the most sort after championship to win.

They still where Volleys.

While we were having lunch Pete rang for a chat. Told him to get the boat ready for August so we can go for a fish when we head home.

Onto the main road was an Axeman statue.

Down the road to the Cherry Shed.

There was lots of information to read with models showing the different phases of cherry production. The farm is a Moriaty. Harvesting is done by hand, up to 60 workers at a time picking the cherries. No ladders are used as the branches are quite flexible and can be bent over. Cherries don’t ripen after they are picked and do not improve in flavour. Cherries are picked when ripe (dark red/mahogany colour) with the stem on and the crates are collected every 1-2 hours. They are washed in very cold water to remove any dust and to cool the fruit as quickly as possible. They are weighed and stored in the cool room at 1 degree Celsius, where they wait transport to the Cherry Shed for consumption. Cherries need to be kept at close to zero, as every hour at room temperature after they are picked is one less day they will last.

Cherry trees in bloom.

Cherries are very healthy with abundant fibre and vitamins A, C and E and some important minerals as well. Eating 20 cherries a day (fresh or frozen) gives you lots of protection from heart disease and cancer. I am happy to do that.

Tried some cherry port which was very nice. Then we enjoyed a cherry/raspberry icecream with frozen fruit too, even though it was freezing outside!!

Yum yum.

This painting was made out of painted cherry pips, same with the tree.

The sad looking cherry tree and a board showing the tree in the different seasons.

Got some milk from the IGA. We have noticed that in the small towns there is always two IGAs and most of the time they are right beside each other. One an IGA Express and the other a Super IGA – go figure. Back over the Mersey River.