Click here for enlargement of the above photo

The historic village of Tunbridge was the venue for our August Rally, there was never a doubt that the local people were not going to extend a warm welcome and throw open the full hospitality of their Village. Tunbridge is surrounded by many farms which is the main employer of the village folk. Tunbridge is a village of about one hundred people, many of whose origins date back to the early 1800's. Tunbridge first served as a depot for horse drawn coach's used in the Royal Mail, passenger and freight run from Hobart to Launceston. In later years it was to become one of the railway stations used for stop over's for trains on the main line and to other areas of the State.
Many of the old buildings are constructed of sandstone and when you glance at them you can see the quality of the old stonemasons that has ensured the survival of the buildings today, The old round sandstone road rollers used to build the original highway in the 1800's still exist outside the 1820 ex Tavern in mint condition.
When the main highway by-passed the town it started to run down with the shops and the local hotel closing. With true country pride the local community worked hard to restore their town from its run down state and today all the old buildings have been restored and the many timber cottages have been painted and upgraded with some containing country crafts for sale to the travelling public. This village is a proud village protecting their past and ensuring that the future augers well for the small community, with no social meeting place the whole village raised funds to build a licensed community centre, which is now self sufficient though modern built - it fits in perfectly with the old worlde charm and century's old buildings.
Rally Site Tunbridge Motorhome's set up for the weekend

Most of our members arrived on the Friday Afternoon and the weekend turned out to be the smallest Rally that we have had this year, with most of the Chapter off chasing the sun in the north of the country and it being to cold for other elderly members to venture out to the Rally.
Luckily our Host for the weekend Ian, had thought it advisable to hire the local hall and order wood for fires inside the hall, which has two fireplaces. Though we could see snow on the mountains in the distance it was not close enough to worry us, though it was still chilly. On the Friday night we sat by the fire and yarned, with others playing cards or checking out the Chapters web site and of course sipping a drop or two of the good stuff. Others decided to walk the kilometre or so down to the Community Centre to meet the locals and have a beer or two and then back to the fire later in the evening.
Tunbridge Rally Hall A few Members gathered around the fire

After a cold night the morning was quite brisk and with the fire in the hall rekindled; that's where the majority of us had breakfast compliments of our bakery member who had bought a carton of mixed bread, raisin to plain and muffins of varying tastes along with crumpets and a full carton of garlic bread for our evening stew meal.
During the day a few elected to walk around the village and others read books while others used the Chapter Computer for the web site and to access the many photo's of various places around Australia that the web master has been with his good lady.
Peter reading whilst toasting Liz toasting muffins
Late in the afternoon out came the camp ovens and both men and woman prepared the vegetables and meat for our scheduled stew evening. There is no truth in the rumour that the stew consisted of road kill wombat, possum, tassie devil or tassie tiger it was good old beef stewing steak! What a wonderful early afternoon it was with both fires blazing with some electing for an early happy hour.
Jean stirring the evening meal Preparing vegetables (note old baltic pine ceilings & walls)
What a wonderful meal it was; more than plenty to go around along with the beautiful veggies and heaps of garlic bread. The garlic bread used by many to wipe their plates clean, the meal was absolutely beautiful with the lovely aroma emanating from the camp ovens and then the plates, it gave an excellent insight into the way the various condiments were used to give such an excellent taste, which lead to plenty of seconds so to speak. Given that the fires were heating the hall to a premium and the conversation at times hilarious, how can we not remember the contagious laugh of Audrey that made for an evening of mirth after the meal, along with wine and beer and coffee or tea.
A few members enjoying the meal Peter on the Chapter Computer - Wendy crossword puzzle
As we had to leave the hall to return to our motorhome's it was obvious that it was to be a very cool night, there was not a cloud in the sky with the stars shining brightly, this left us knowing that there would be a heavy frost overnight. Heavy Frost? no there was snow less than a hundred metres away on the small hills with the area around the vans having heavy frost. This was to clear quickly with the sun melting both the frost and snow though you could still see snow on the distant Mountains.
It was over to the hall and cook breakfast by the fire and sit around and chin wag, after breakfast some elected to rug up and go walkabout again. Evelyn was to show off her talents and teach several of our lady members the art of making birthday, greeting or cards for other purposes, it was excellent to see how talented Evelyn was with this craft work and was quite happy to hand on her skills to others.
Evelyn teaching craft
Restored Hobart-Launceston Royal Mail Coach 1800 circa
There was enough stew and garlic bread left from last nights meal for us to re-heat and have our final get together and lunch before we went our separate ways home. So here it was a beautiful sunny afternoon when we bid farewell to the village of Tunbridge and its people and vowed to meet again at our next Rally in three weeks time.
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