Click here for enlargement of the above photo

Not being able to access the Rally site at the Bothwell School until pupils cleared the precinct at 3pm on the Friday, a few of us elected to travel on the Thursday and spend the night in Oatlands at their beautiful camp area by the lake. A short walk to the hotel that night for a counter tea proved to be worthwhile with the meal being first class. After a rather cool evening next day we travelled slowly towards our rally site at Bothwell.

Northern Section of Bothwell	Southern section of Bothwell

Bothwell is located in the Clyde River Valley on the southern end of the Central Highlands, in fact, it is regarded as the gateway to the Central Highlands. Bothwell was first settled in 1807, in those early years it was discovered that there was an abundance of game in the area and the area soon became established as the major hunting area for skins and game food. In later years the fertility of the land in the Valley lead to vast tracts of farming land for sheep and cattle raising, an abundance of convict labour built the many fine sandstone buildings that even today are regarded as having some of the best architectural features of that era.

Bothwell Library	Tourist Information Building

We moved onto the School grounds and it was obvious that we were most welcome as we were greeted by the Headmaster of the school on our arrival for it has been some years since we have had a rally here in this area, as spring is finally with us it was great to see the new spring growth and the flowering of the many trees and spring bulbs on the grounds. Our hosts Ian & Chris were also on hand to welcome us and quickly and efficiently ushered us to our parking spot and hot water urns for a cuppa. Most of the campervans and motorhome's arrived early with some that had to work arriving late into the evening, our hosts had a pleasant surprise for us that evening, they were to share with us a little bit of history by way of a slide show. There were a few of us that thought how boring a slide show could be. What a pleasant surprise to have the opportunity to view a taste of years gone by for our hosts had produced a show that included their tours of the outback of Australia in the 1950's and Seventies. To be able to recognise and see the difference today in the areas, especially around Ayres Rock prior to commercialism and Mataranka hot springs in their natural state not to mention the highway from South Australia to the Northern Territory being all gravel and holes and bumps. The commentary given by Ian & Chris was most enlightening and a very long question time took place due to the quality and the wide range of areas that the slides depicted. It was interesting to note that there were no early retirements to bed and the show went onto nearly midnight with many disappointed when the show came to an end.

View of Rally site	Plenty of room to spread out

With snow capped mountains as a back drop we awoke to a chilly morning though the sun was shining brightly, it was good to catch up again with those that travelled north for the winter and had arrived home in time to attend this rally, Most of us strolled around the village and admired the architecture and chewed the fat with the locals and discovered the rich history of the area. In the afternoon we had our general meeting and it was good to hear the chapter is in good shape and that the committee had set out the rally venues for the next six months including our usually well attended Christmas Dinner Rally. The happy hour came and as usual it was the time to catch up with all that had happened in the past month or to just pass on advise on mechanical matters with the usual few getting happier than others.

Bothwell Post Office Circa 1891	General Meeting in the School Library

Our hosts Ian & Chris had spoken to the local Hotelier and arranged for a two course meal at a reduced cost, so we all strolled down talking to the locals as we went and admiring their committment to keep their town tidy and visitor friendly. The meal itself was excellent and there was only praise for what the hotel staff did to make us welcome and the speedy efficient way the meal was placed before us. After the meal it was very slow walk back to our Rally site for the meal was both large and of good quality, a few of us headed for the warmth of the Library for an extended happy hour and then off to bed with the chill reminding us that though spring was here there was still a touch of winter in the air.

Enjoying the meal at the Castle Hotel	An excellent two course meal served at the Castle Hotel

We awoke and as expected there was a very heavy frost on the ground that looked quite pretty with the sun shining, though it did not last, in the distance it was obvious that the mountain ranges had recieved a fresh fall of snow. The countryside looked excellent and it was now time to leave our rally and return to reality some to work and others to continue home detouring via the great lakes the home of excellent trout fishing and others to areas in the warmer climes of the East Coast. Our thanks must go to both Ian & Chris who had provided us with a most enjoyable rally area and plenty do and see. it would be remiss of us if we did not finish off with more of the fine convict built sandstone buildings. So until next time take care and drive safely.

Local Residence Bothwell	Bothwell Church

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