Trip 2; Day 09; Tenterfield to Stanthorpe

Wednesday 10/04/2013: Tenterfield to Stanthorpe.

Tenterfield Show-grounds are a very quiet place to camp, it was cool overnight. There was low cloud overhead which gave us a light drizzle whilst we were packing up. We headed off up the highway, Les had the first leg. We pulled into the Information Centre at Stanthorpe and two friendly gentleman gave us all the info and recommended the Tourist Drive along Amiens Rd (34km). We travelled up the highway to Thulimbah where we are staying at the Happy Apple Resort (Manager: Autumn - lovely lady). The caravan park has permanent tents and is full of Fruit Pickers. The composting toilets are clean and the showers are nice and hot. We were given a drive through site and quickly set up in light rain. We headed back into town and had a quick look up and down Main St. We then drove up to the Mt Marlay Scenic Lookout (919m). We then headed off along Amiens Rd, the vineyards we spotted were closed on Wednesdays. We managed to get some nice Cheese (#1) and Mettwurst from the Granite Belt Dairy Farmhouse. We doubled back along a dirt road to Donnely's Castle. We then headed back into town picked up supplies and back to the Caravan Park. Les & Ryan had hot showers, Amy & Amanda are going "commando" till we get home.

Tenterfield Showgrounds

 Stanthorpe

 Mt Marlay

 Apple Orchards along Amiens Rd

 Granite Belt Dairy Farm House

 Heading to Donnelly's Castle

 Big Apple

 Quick Shower

Trip 2: Day 08: Armidale to Tenterfield

Tuesday 09/04/2013: Armidale to Tenterfield

Well for a change we woke up to Armidale Fog. We packed up in damp conditions. Amanda had the first drive this morning. We passed through the small towns of Guyra, Glencoe (Les had visited the original one in Scotland in 1991) where we stopped at Glen Innes for a pit-stop and driver change. The road from Glen Innes to Tenterfield passes through some steep hills - but the road is good. The scenery was nice. We arrived at Tenterfield and made our way down to Miles St to the show-grounds  We parked away from the Grey Nomads who are all down near the river. There are large lizards/skinks at the causeway and cotton-tail rabbits running around on the other side of the river. We headed into the Main St of Town. We picked up a local map at the Information Centre - the lady was a lot of fun. We walked down Main St heading North and dined at "The Famous Pie Shop". We looked at the Tenterfield Saddler but sadly was closed for Renovations? We completed a lap of the Main St but found every 2nd business was for sale? We drove to the largest cork tree in Australia. Watch out for the pot bellied Shetland pony next door. When we got back to the show-grounds Ryan tried fishing without luck. The facilities are OK, there are 12 caravan/camper-vans here, probably all Qld'ers because NSW are still at school, they are on holidays next week.
The town clock chimes on the hour and the sound is quiet pleasant.

Guyra

Glen Innes

 Main St Tenterfield

 Tenterfield Saddlery

 Closed for Renovations

 The largest cork tree in Australia

Trip 2: Day 07: Another Tourist Day in Armidale

Monday 08/04/2013: Another Tourist Day in Armidale.

Very cool overnight. We woke to a foggy morning visibility down to 100 metres!. We headed into the Information Centre for our Pre-booked Heritage Tour of Armidale. We arrived at 09:30 for our 09:45 appointment - the bus leaves at 10:00. Well the Tour got our thumbs up - the 2 and 1/2 hours passed very quickly. We enjoyed the Cathedral, Railway Museum and the University of New England. Some advice - don't be late or answer a phone on the bus. We wandered around town after lunch having a closer look at the sights pointed out on the bus tour.

Armidale Fog

 Tour Bus

 Court House

 St Peters Cathedral

 Catholic Church across the Road

 U.N.E.

 Beardy St Mall

 Monument to the 1st (2 1/2 hr) Sermon from the Anglican Bishop