Leaving from Don and Michelle's farm on 16 February we headed to our first stop at Dumaresq Dam near Armidale. Our first rest-stop was at Dangar falls. We were very pleased to see Dangar Falls restroom, say no more! What added to the enjoyment was a lovely waterfall. Staring at the waterfall the boys debated why there was a sign saying 'No jumping from waterfall'. The road that we went on was windy and narrow. Arriving at Dumaresq Dam we enjoyed the scenery as we set up.
When we arrived, Joel immediately wanted to know what the fishing was like. When we had set up, we sat back and relaxed. Bethany, Josh, Chloe and Tahlia set off for a kayak experience around the dam. Josh, the ardent explorer, headed to the other side of the dam and found Dumaresq Creek. After a short kayak we came back and had dinner.
Heading out to an old gold mining town (called Hillgrove), we enjoyed the scenery. Gold and Antimony mining is still going on today. At the old public school there is a musuem. As we headed in, we admired the old school desks.
In the musuem there was an inspirational story. It was about an engineer who worked on the mines. He was a witness to people all around about God and kept asking them if they were ready to meet their maker. One day as he headed down to the mines he asked “I'm ready to meet my maker, are you?”. Just as he said it the rope holding the boiler snapped, killing him instantly.
On Wednesday we headed into town. Our plan for the day was to go to the laundromat and go on the heritage tour. The heritage tour was free. You rode on a bus around town and were given information about Armidale. You got off at 3 places: Aboriginal Culture Centre or the Regional Art Gallery, The Railway Station Museum, and the Homestead at the university.
We went to the Aboriginal Culture Place, as we had planned to go to the Regional Art Gallery later. At the Railway Station Museum there was a lot of information. It was run by volunteers and was set up by the men who had originally worked on the railways. Outside there were hand trolleys that you could pump.
At the homestead you felt dwarfed as you stepped inside. The place was full on grandeur. There was amazing history behind the homestead. As the bus took us around, our driver gave us plenty of information. We stopped outside schools, cathedrals and parks. Tahlia enjoyed it and was excited as she could sit on a high seat to see.
After the heritage tour we picked up all our washing. When we got back we hung up our monstrous load of washing.We had to put up three extra washing lines to fit it all on. Then we set off for a walk around the dam.
Armidale
“In the New England high country NSW”
“In the New England high country NSW”