Goondiwindi

Mad Hatters in Goondiwindi.

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The big day arrived. Our costumes were ready. we were ready.

To fill in the day we spent time at the Harrisons doing odd jobs. Well some did and most of us stayed out of the way.

We had an hours trip to get to Boomi so had to be dressed ready to go by 4.30. And it was hot.

Peter picked us up at our motel in a bus belonging to the local aged care home. What a sight we made.

A quick photo shoot and into the bus with a few bottles of champagne for the journey.

What a crew.

An hour later we poured out of the bus and noticed no one else was dressed up. There were a few simple hats but no one else came as the mad hatter, the rabbit, the scarecrow the witch, the wizard, queen of hearts or jester.

Just us.

And Boomi won’t forget us.

We enjoyed drinks on the lawn and lots of admiring comments before heading in to the old hall set with long tables.

We decorated ours. Candelabras, ice buckets, oversized cup and saucers for our tea party!

The show was fun and the enthusiasm from the local cast was fantastic. So much work goes into this production- an original musical staged every second year. Funds raised goes directly back into the community.

The local talent is great.

I loved the local policeman who only on Thursday night was chasing a criminal through town only to smash into a fence and injure his foot. He was the King and made it through the show smiling and hopping but slipped in a reference to taking a pain killer !

The King

Food was plentiful, supplied by local Gundy caterer Sandy Henderson who happens to be our friend’s daughter’s mother in law. Lauren was there working in the kitchen.

We were awarded joint best dressed. Which wasn’t hard as we were the only ones dressed up.

I love these country communities. Even we recognised people from Gundi like the lady from the cotton shop.

After a standing ovation we climbed back onto the bus with Peter driving the hour back to Gundi. We were all so impressed with the Boomi community. They pulled off a great night. It was worth the drive from the city.

The next morning we gathered at the Harrisons house for Helen’s country scrambled eggs before heading home laden fruit cake thanks to Anne, rocky road courtesy of Pam.

Thanks Peter & Carmel for a great few days.

Goondiwindi a Country favourite

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We’re back in the border town Goondiwindi or Gundy as it’s know. Famous for the horse Gunsynd , for its cotton farms and friendly country welcome its been suffering bad press due to its outbreak of car thefts.

Pulling into The Border Motel we knew we would be safe at night when we spotted the black security gates and the police car in the car park.

We’re here to join our group of travellers for the infamous Boomi amateur thespian society’s musical. This years theme had us raiding dress up boxes and second hand shops. And for one of our group a trip to Bunnings!

All shall be revealed tomorrow!

We rolled into Gundy in convoy on Thursday and rendezvoused at the Harrisons house before heading to the Railway Hotel for a country steak dinner.

Friday we headed off with guide Mike in a small bus for a tour to a cotton farm. The farm is one of the bigger ones in the area “Alcheringa” owned by the family who also own the Goondiwindi cotton shop in town. This business is well known in the fashion industry for its good quality cotton clothing.

Mike gave the best tour explaining the planting, growing, harvesting and production of cotton. It’s a great story especially hearing how it’s being managed now to save water.

We collected our cotton samples including handfuls of seed to plant our own cotton plant at home. Possibly not enough for a tshirt!

We headed back to town to the Customs House museum for coffee and damper – it’s a type of scone served with golden syrup. And it’s delicious.

Then a visit to the cotton shop for a few purchases.

A quiet afternoon wandering the town enjoying the bright street art.

Street art

Then a relaxed dinner at the Harrison’s house where we all lent a hand in the kitchen.

The front verandah was the perfect place to chat and show and tell about our costumes for tomorrow’s mad hatters dress up for Boomi.

Wait for tomorrow’s post.

Australia’s Oldest Pub & Western Sunsets

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We had the heaviest rain last night in Goondiwindi. I’m thinking of buying gum boots for the boot scooting at Thargomindah on Saturday.

We had a lovely coffee to start the day at The Larder in the main shopping street. It’s a popular place and with lots of tourists and road workers in town we had to wait to get a little table.

You may have heard of Goondiwindi Cotton. It’s a family business with a great story.

https://goondiwindicotton.com.au/pages/our-story-1

Their clothes are great quality and timeless in design. We both managed to spend up. The sale had started so we couldn’t resist.

I was popping in and out of the change room selecting when I noticed a woman admiring my jumper. I persuaded her to try a few things. She bought ! She suggested the owners employ me!

We took their brochure about the art sculpture trail and went to find it.

Nungwai
On the outskirts of town, we explore the unique and eclectic collection from local artists, Angus & Sandie Wilson. Wonderful

I could continue posting images. There were so many wonderful funny, quirky, sculptures. If you’re in this area don’t miss it.

Then it was off to Bowen Lane. It’s not just the big cities that make use of it lanes. Goondiwindi is up to the minute in style.

This great shop is in Bowen Lane

It would have been easy to stay longer in Gundi but the Nindagully Pub was waiting for us.

We were here a few years ago and loved it. Today after the rain the car park and camp ground was a muddy sight.

We dodged the mud puddles and made for the bar. The oldest pub in Queensland still attracts a crowd. It is quite eccentric but so much fun and easy to spend time wandering the pubs rooms or sitting in the garden under a shelter sporting a chandelier! Shabby chic for sure.

Note the chandelier
A fire pit for the chilly evenings.

Feeling full and relaxed we headed west to St George. A small town making an effort to welcome tourists. Sadly due to rain their special picnic races this Saturday have cancelled. No not covid. Rain. The track is too muddy.

There is a local winery where we did our best to boost the economy. The charming young man who gave us a tasting of their range of wines turned out to be the owners son.

Jock Blacket

Riversands Winery is 2 out of town – out along the Balonne River. it’s a small set up but has some pretty tasty wines. We bought a mixed dozen – and decided to sit in the garden and enjoy the sunshine with some cheese and wine. It may have rained a lot last night but today is now warm and sunny.

Jock advised us not to miss the sunset over the river so we moved back to town. We checked into the motel along with the local road workers in their big Utes and dirty boots.

Heading for the river we took the well planned riverwalk and enjoyed the sunset through the trees.

I could keep posting pictures. It was so stunning.

We walked back to our motel and decided to finish the wine and cheese and not eat out. We had definitely had enough for lunch at Nindagully.

We are now relaxing & watching the news hoping we are far away from covid spreaders. Though looking at the number of NSW number plates were beginning to wonder if people are escaping to Queensland.

Every town has a Memorial This one was very special.

Heading out West : Goondiwindi

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It’s good to get away for a road trip – especially during these random covid lockdowns.

We decided to stay in Queensland to avoid border closures.

Looking at the ‘What’s On’ on Queensland website and the dates we could travel, we came upon the Thargomindah Channel Country Music muster.

2 Days of Bootscootn’, Toetappin’, Bush Poetry , Country and Western music.

Thargomindah is a long way from Brisbane which means a couple of nights along the way.

First stop – one of my favourite country towns, Goondiwindi. This is primarily cotton country. As you drive from Toowoomba you start to see little cotton balls along the roadside. And rolled bales in the fields.

Arriving in Gundi – as it’s known – we are staying for the third time in the motel just off the Marshall Street. Just near the New Dynasty Chinese restaurant, where we are meeting friends for dinner tonight.

I headed straight out for a walk down Marshall St. I love the Art Deco buildings.

The Main Street has beautiful buildings and a good selection of shops. Nutmeg with its homewares, Audrey has beautiful clothes and just off the Main Street is the Goondiwindi Cotton Company. I’m headed there tomorrow!

https://goondiwindicotton.com.au

We met up with Sandi and Mike Henderson, parents in law to our friend Lauren Harrison- now Henderson. We love catching up for a drink and tonight a meal at the Chinese. Lauren& Nick have two little boys. Beautiful boys – and George 3 is mad about everything farming. we had a great meal and shared lots of chat and laughs before the two little boys needed their beds!

We headed to our motel in time for some TV.

Tonight is State of Origin night and this town so close to the border of NSW is torn about who to support!

Tomorrow more exploring along the art & sculpture trail before heading to St George.