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We
gathered in historic Tunbridge,Tasmania, for our May Rally. Originally
known as Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge came into existence in 1809 and was
an important stop for horse drawn coaches between the cities of Hobart
and Launceston. The original township and its bridge approaches were built
by convicts and today the quality of their labour still stands the test
of time. In the next century Tunbridge became an important depot and staging
point for the railways who served the large farms in the area, this is
no longer the case today. As we entered the town from the northern end we crossed the Blackman River which is spanned by the oldest (built in 1848) single span bridge in Australia, a sandstone foundation, timbered decked bridge. Tunbridge had two Inns (Hotels) located in the main street of the town. The Tunbridge Wells Inn and the Victoria Inn. Though, the Tunbridge Wells Inn is now a private residence. The Victoria Inn, also a private residence has a sandstone roller located nearby used by convicts to roll the early gravel roads. The local population, in recent years have through their labours constructed a Community Club which now meets the social needs of the community. The township of Tunbridge was bypassed as part of the main highway between Hobart and Launceston, though causing some hardship in the early years, Tunbridge has been able to maintain much of its historic charm. Many of the old building have been refurbished though there is a lack of accommodation and shops today. |
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Convict
Bridge Blackmens River |
Victoria
Inn |
Old Hobart
to Launceston Coach |
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| Playing dice game | Working out fall of Dice |
We drifted
back to our Motorhomes for our evening meal with a few using the wonderful
barbecue facilities that were available in the park. At 7pm we all came
together again in the nice warm hall and many were to play that unusual
dice game that seems to bring plenty of noise along with laughter, the
game went on for some hours. Given there were two dice games going simultaneously it was hard to understand what was being said, though it would be true to say that Audrey's wonderful laugh was able to permeate the noise in the hall easily. Audrey's laugh is so contagious that soon others are joining in adding even further to the level of noise through their laughter. |
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| Crib players in action | Display of Useless & Unusual tools |
Others elected
to play the more sober game of Crib and even that became a competition
in a friendly way of course. Many were happy to look over the Useless
and Unusual tools that were on display. Much comment was made and John
had an old film machine and was to show us some of the areas of Tasmania
captured on film some fifty years ago, all very interesting. Many elected
to stay on and play a variety of card games and have a late night supper.
Then it was off to bed with everyone agreeing that it had been a full
on day. |
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Foggy morning
at Tunbridge |
Sheriff
keeping tabs |
Ladies
in the kitchen preparing |
Saturday
dawned very foggy though not cold at all, it was some hours before it
lifted to expose brilliant sunshine, our erstwhile Sheriff was to place
himself close to the hall to catch members who were not wearing their
badges's. He was to catch many which would ensure that they would suffer
later in the day at our happy hour. We had our group of walkers go out in the foggy conditions heading in a southerly direction and they were to report that the old houses looked splendid in the early morning conditions. It was noted they were well rugged up including scarves and beanies and in all they strolled around the village for over an hour. The ladies were doing some preliminary cooking for our camp oven meal this evening and the kitchen area was buzzing with excitement with plenty of chatter being the norm, with patches of laughter of course. |
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| Competition underway | Plenty of action & spectators |
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At 11am the disc bowls competition commenced
with Patrick having sorted out the roster, being such a beautiful sunny
day with no wind we had plenty of spectators. There was the usual barracking
and full on comments from spectators that ensured that the games were
most relaxed and exciting. We only stopped for lunch and after lunch,
once again, it was full on with teams being eliminated and those players
becoming spectators urging, the remaining teams on. |
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| Winning team in Final's | Runners up with co-ordinator Patrick |
What a beautiful afternoon,
pleasant company and refreshing sunshine. There was much laughter and
a reluctance to finish off the competition. However, all good things must
come to an end. After many ends and team participation the winners were
Peter, Liz and Graham. The runners up were David, Judy and Bernard. Patrick,
the Disc Bowls co-ordinator received a special acclamation for the excellent
manner in which the competition was conducted. We were to have several locals come by looking at the event not knowing what it was, Tunbridge Collectable's management was to visit and supplied a beautiful afternoon spread which was totally enjoyed by all, what a wonderful little village with such warm and friendly people. It didn't matter where you walked there was always a friendly hello from the locals. |
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Margaret
checking camp ovens |
Pat cooking
Mince |
Evelyn
cutting vegetables |
During the afternoon
the ladies were hard at it in the kitchen with the many camp ovens on
the fire and the vegetables being prepared for our Chapter meal. The men
set up the tables in the main hall and all the condiments were placed
on the tables in readiness for the meal. |
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Hall set
up for meal |
Early diners |
Serving
up the meal |
Our happy hour took place at 5pm and as usual our sheriff
was to scold many for alleged misdemeanors, all denied of course which
bought the usual laughter and happiness. Before we knew it our meal
was ready and our Ladies started serving table by table. Judging by
the lack of noise everyone was enjoying their meal. |
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Enjoying
the meal |
Bob on
Keyboard |
John on
guitar |
After our meal we were to be entertained by the talented
people in our Chapter, we had Bob on his key board belting out many
differing tunes from old time to rock & roll. There were many who
were up dancing and really enjoying themselves. In between the dances
we were to hear many jokes and then Bob combined with John on guitar
to give us a most enjoyable medley of music. |
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Performing
the Tractor act |
Disc Bowls
winners with prizes |
Our Hosts
Eddie& Audrey |
Then it
was time to present the prizes firstly to the winners of the Disc Bowls
competition with Margaret presenting prizes to Graham, Peter and Liz (The
prizes were donated by Geoff & Margaret). The winner of the Unusual
and Useless items was Eddie, who was presented with a nice bottle of wine
by Audrey. Eddies entry was a spring tap, most unusual. What a wonderful
night so enjoyable that members were very late going off to bed all very
happy. You could still hear laughter as they crossed the road to their
Motorhomes. |
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Paul and
Jean dancing |
Margaret
serving lunch |
Members
enjoying lunch |
Sunday morning
dawned very sunny and the members who walk, were off to look at the many
tourist attractions in the northern end of Tunbridge, when walking you
certainly see more than from a vehicle. What a wonderful little village
with so much pride and friendliness. It was noted that the walkers did
not need coats, scarves or beanies this morning. Being Mothers Day, many were to leave early for home and those staying on were to enjoy the casseroles and other food which was available for lunch. What can we say, what a wonderful weekend. Our Hosts Eddie & Audrey along with the many volunteers and entertainers ensured that we all had an enjoyable weekend. A special thanks to those members that supplied the ingredients that made the camp oven cook up such a success. We also took the opportunity to bid farewell to those members who will be leaving shortly for the warmer climes of Northern Australia plus those few heading overseas, for our winter. Those remaining have indicated that we will gather again at our next rally at Chain of Lagoons (Lagoon Beach) in June. |
| May | July
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August |
September |
October |
November | December | ||||||
To view
Rally Happenings of previous month/s click on month of choice |
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On
arrival we were greeted by our hosts for the weekend, Eddie and Audrey
who quickly parked us, it didn't take long for Members to gather and
compare travels of the past month. The Disc Bowls rink was set up and
practice was taking place in readiness for our weekend competition,
as usual the remarks were flowing thick and fast. You would think that
we were playing for a farm.The comments, some hilarious, were intermingled
with much laughter.