A Lazy Day

Yesterday we had nothing we needed to do and no where we needed to be.  Add to that, there was a tiny bit of rain overnight and more forecast.  We therefore had a very late start to the day.  A great way to start a holiday and rather novel for us.

After completing my blog post on Thursday I made a very small start on my crochet scarf, so I sat up in bed yesterday morning and crocheted some more.  The predicted rain arrived, so we stayed put for a while.

How good is that.  We had nearly half an inch of rain.  It didn't take too long to soak in and has definitely settled the dust.  If it didn't rain it would have been one great big dust bowl here.

Apparently there was about 20mm at home, which was not the best for the start of the local show  for the rides, but great for all the farmers at the show.  Today should be nice and fine.

The rain had cleared by late morning, so we thought we had better do something, which meant wandering the back streets of Trundle.  We chuckled at this creeper which looked like "Cousin It" from The Addams Family.

The things you spy up a back lane.

There were lots of big puddles to negotiate.  I was sure I would end up with wet feet at this one, but the ground to the left of the road was dry.  Phew.

All towns have lovely old churches.

Like Eugorwa, Reliance had a small agency in Trundle in the late 1990s and I occasionally did relief from this little building.  I don't think they have a presence here any more.  

Here's a better photo of the huge old pub.

After another coffee at the new cafe  we came across a street stall.  How could we resist "Abba" biscuits and pink cupcakes with sprinkles.  As you can see, we couldn't.  Oh, and lovely fresh eggs.

Another interesting old relic was up a side street.

We spent a lazy afternoon back at camp.  We met our new camping neighbours.  They said they have a cousin in Bathurst.  It turns out we know him very well, as he was my Mum's next door neighbour for 40 years.  It is a small world.

I got stuck into my crochet, sitting in front of the fire bucket as the afternoon cooled down.

I did take a break to enjoy some nibblies.

A pretty sunset promised a nice day for today.

I had made such good progress on my crochet that I thought it was possible to get it finished.  I know it was a bit crazy, but a headlight gives great light while sitting in front of the fire bucket.  Yes, I got it finished, which was totally unexpected, when I started the previous night.  It wasn't late either, only about 8 o'clock.

Which meant we still had plenty of time to don our pink clothes and go to the Services Club in town and join in on the Pink Night raising funds for breast cancer research.  It was a fun night, with some crazy costumes and a big charity auction.  Patrons were very generous with their bids.  A fun way to end the day.

Ta da!  A finished Desert Wind Scarf.  A very simple pattern, but a nice and easy one to start back on crochet,

Today is the big day of events for the Abba Festival and the weather should be nice and sunny, although fairly cool.

Bring it on.

On The Road Again - Our Next Adventure

After just three hectic days back at home, we have packed the van and headed off again on our next adventure.

We headed west, through Parkes, past the random Elvis statue in a paddock......

Before having lunch in the park at Bogan Gate.  No, Mick is not being a Bogan.

Our destination for the day was Trundle.  Yes, Mamma Mia, here we go again....... it is the ABBA Festival this weekend.

There aren't a real lot of campers here as yet, but that will certainly change tomorrow.  

The weather is overcast, with rain forecast for tonight and tomorrow.  We all have everything crossed for a decent fall.  No one will mind at all if it rains on our parade, so to speak.  As you can see from the photos, it is still very dry here.  We have passed many paddocks freshly sown with crops in anticipation of this rain event, and some crops sown a little while ago, which will benefit from some rain.

After we set up camp we went for a wander up the street.  Please tag along.

A few wattles are starting to bloom, despite the dry conditions.

I'm always amazed that so many of these small towns have such grand town halls.  They show a great sense of civic pride by the earlier settlers, and also confidence in the futures of these towns.

Trundle has the widest street in NSW.

The old Rural Bank.  These buildings are generally identifiable by a small frieze of wheat either side of the double entrance doors, which had a similar emblem.  Sadly, they have all been removed from this building.

The pub has the longest verandah in NSW.  Sadly, this building too is not in the best condition.  However, the upstairs verandah appears to have had quite a bit of work done on it.  This is not the best photo.  I'll try and get a better one tomorrow, when the sun is in a better position.

We heard that the old butcher's shop had opened as a cafe, so were keen to have a look.  Apparently, it had been a private residence for some time.

The interior of The Butcher's Brew Cafe is lovely and fresh.

It turns out that they only opened for the first time on Saturday, so this weekend will be a baptism of fire.  

The dining room is rather flash, and check out the original butcher's block from the shop.  There is the second one outside in the courtyard garden.

Which is where we sat to enjoy our afternoon tea.  It really is a lovely place to sit and while away the time.  We enjoyed chatting with some locals who were also supporting the new cafe.  

I've got to give them a plug, as it is so good to see a new vibrant business open up in a small town.  We will certainly try to visit again this weekend.

One sad thing this year is that there won't be a quilt show.  Quite a few of the organisers are away, so they made the decision to shelve it this time.  Apparently it will be back next year.  I do hope so.

Mick has headed off to the pub this evening to watch the footy, so I'm enjoying sitting in the quiet in the van.  Tomorrow should be a nice, lazy day.

A Stitching Start to the Month

I am not going to get a chance to stitch much this month, so my One Monthly Goal is very simple.

All I am aiming to do is to embroider "Gran's Legacy" for Splendid Sampler 2.  We will be travelling, so who knows if I will get much of a chance to stitch.  It may be done in just a few days time, or it may be a last minute rush at the end of the month, but I hope not.

I have also packed some crochet.  I bought a Carron Cake last year, but still haven't started it.  I have two patterns printed out and my crochet hook packed, so my aim is to at least start on a simple triangular scarf.  I'm not aiming to finish it, but at least make some progress from a ball of yarn.  I haven't done any crochet for a while, so I'm itching to do this.

Last weekend, at the Balloon Festival I did get the "Simply Bliss" block for Splendid Sampler 2 finished, by doing the embroidery.  I think she turned out rather cute.  I just need to add a few stitches to "My Happy Place" and it will be finished too.

I have already got in nice and early with a couple of projects this month.

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge colour this month is orange.  That was nice and quick to do.  Unfortunately, two of the blocks weren't leaders and enders, but that doesn't matter.  At least they are done.

I'll be linking up at So Scrappy.

It would have been disappointing to not have a finish for One Project a Month hosted by Kris,  and the perfect project popped up.  One of those "I must make...." projects.  Just call me "Gunna".  It often seems that there needs to be a sense of urgency before anything happens.

Well, I wanted to pack our deep porridge bowls in the caravan and don't want them to break.  Ta da! Finally, a couple of bowl cosies.

That's going to be about it this month, but better than nothing.

I took my sewing machine in for a spa treatment yesterday, as it is a very long time since she has had any attention, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity.  I'm looking forward to getting her back ready to stitch lots next month.

I'm linking up at Elm Street Quilts.

Carcoar

On Sunday we got ourselves packed up and started heading home.

It was nice to see some winter crops peaking through the ground.  Fingers crossed for rain to keep them going.

On our way up to Canowindra we had seen a sign for Carcoar's Garden Expo on Sunday, so of course we had to call in to see what it was all about.

There was a huge crowd in attendance for lots of garden related stalls and workshops.  We only stayed briefly, as we needed to get home and unpacked, but a plant, honey and branches of cotton came home with us.

Mick did not want to pose.  Lots of people were buying cotton to display.

While we were there, we had a nice wander around the historic village.  It has been a couple of years since we have visited.

Then, we were home, and the trip was over.  We had a wonderful few days away and look forward to doing it all again next year.

Canowindra Balloon Glow

Saturday is the main day of events at Canowindra.

Some of the balloons landed in the showground in the morning.  One of the organisers had a heap of kids, or "Minions" as he called them help hold the balloons down while they were deflated.  The kids had a ball.

Up the main street there were some market stalls and a bush band.  I don't think there were as many activities as last year.

We enjoyed a very relaxing and lazy afternoon, sitting in the sun back at the van.  I completed  the hand stithcing on another two blocks of The Secret Sampler.

It's all very social.  We had great neighbours and had a fun evening with them.

Gates opened for the public mid afternoon and the night markets commenced.  There was so much variety of food.

Yes, a beverage was required.

The sunset was lovely, with loads of jet streams.

I bought all of our group some glow sticks and they were the best fun.  We're just big kids at heart.

After some dancers and official speeches the evening's proceedings commenced with the Pilot's Parade, where the balloons were driven around the perimeter of the showground arena with their gas burners alight.  It is rather spectacular, and especially so, as they drive right behind our van and we can get up close and personal.  

Then, once it was dark, it was time for the main event - the Balloon Glow.  Last year this part of the proceedings had to be abandoned due to wind, but this year could not have been better.  There wasn't a breath of wind.  Just perfect.

Wow!  The balloons glow in time to some rather upbeat music.

A bit of Kiwi love.

Once again, being camped where we were, we were right in the thick of it.  So good!

Yep, we're just big kids.

The organisers requested we not light our fire bucket while the balloons were in operation.  I can't imagine why?  In the mean time our glow sticks were a fine substitute.

And then it was all over.  The event is very family friendly, so we still had plenty of time to sit around the fire and yarn.  A lovely way to end the day.