The Tartan Brigade

Whilst in Glen we met my very hospitable cousin Helen and her husband John.  We got to see their miniature horses and their new property and have a good old chin wag (and a few drinks).  We also spent some time with Helen’s dad Kevin and my Mum’s brother Trevor and his wife Maureen and had a chin wag with each of them too.  We paid a very quick visit to my cousin Leanne who was very pregnant with twin boys.  She had them a couple of days after we left. We also had a slap up Chinese meal, (our first Chinese meal for over a year) locally where all the rellies attended except Leanne of course.  An additional attendee was my cousin Peter, Helen’s brother.  We met a further cousin, Neil earlier in the day

Thank you Helen for finding my camera

Helen Me and Aunty Maureen

John, Marty, Uncle Trevor, Uncle Kevin, Peter, Aunty Maureen, Me and Helen

John, Marty, Peter, Uncle Trevor, and Uncle Kevin,

Given the circumstances we were glad to leave Dubbo and head for the hills, specifically Glen Innes in the New England Ranges, where my Mum grew up.  We have seen a lot of my Dad’s relatives on the way round and now it was Mum’s turn.

We travelled from Dubbo to Glen via Dunedoo, Coolah, Premier, Currabubula and Tamworth.  There was lots of water on the road after the recent floods but we were able to navigate our way thru.  My Mum’s Granddad came from Currabubula so we stopped to look for his old blacksmith’s shop but unfortunately it does not seem to exist anymore.  However a quick look at the cemetery found an old rellie.

Eliza Jemima and Benjamin Walters -  My Mum's Great Grand Parents - Currabubula NSW

A highlight was spending a day on the farm with Uncle Kevin.  Uncle Kevin is 82 and still runs his two farms.  We saw him demonstrate how to train cattle dogs and look after his many Hereford cows.  We even saw the tree that he frequently stops under for a quick afternoon nap. This has previously been a family secret.   Marty got a degree in gate opening.  After pondering a yellow object on a fence he asked Uncle Kevin what is was for.  Uncle Kevin replied that it was an upside down bucket that he put on the fence to remind him to get rid of it!!

Uncle Kevin

It wasn’t all rellies though as Glen is a beautiful area, albeit a bit chilly.  We drove out to Red Range just to admire the wonderful country side with Uncle Kevin.  We got an understanding of the Celtic heritage of the town, including a tour of the Standing Stones. The stones are similar in style and design to Stonehenge and are a tribute to the Celtic heritage of the area and the contribution Celts have made to the development of Australia.  We had a quick cuppa at the Crofter’s Gallery while visiting the stones.

Glen Innes Standng Stones

Raspberry Lookout