The Stockmans Hall of Fame

Hello dear Blogsters. Well by golly it was cold here last night and this morning. The clouds have gone but we are left with a wind that feels like it has come straight off the snow (we are not used to this winter type weather).

This morning Dad made bacon and eggs for us for breakfast - gee we suffer don't we!!!! It was a yummy and warming way to start the day. After breakfast, we headed on down the road to the Stockmans Hall of Fame. This wonderful venue has been open for 10 years and has just undergone a major revamp.

The building is split into 5 different areas, each focussing on a different part of Australia's history or outback lifestyle. The section on early explorers was really interesting with information about many of the major explorers and their journeys. Uncle John was particularly interested in the information about the explorer "John Stuart".

Another section gave information about early pioneering lifestyles - it was great to see some things that the "oldies" remembered either having or seeing. I remember seeing a set of bellows just like this out on our farm when I was a child.

I also remember the good old furphy water tank. Mum and Dad only sold the cast iron furphy tank end just before they moved to Dorrigo (they are quite valuable these days).

The Hall of Fame also had some fantastic artworks - including this beautiful detailed bust, carved from beech wood and this iconic statue of "the ringer" out the front.

After checking out the museum, we had a bite to eat and then went to watch the live show out in the yard. An old drover rode in with a small flock of sheep and some working dogs. He put on a show demonstrating how the dogs are trained and the work they do - they are amazing to watch!

He also did a very funny skit with his mule - which sat down and refused to budge no matter how he tried to get it to move.

The show was great value and really entertaining.

Finally, before we left the Hall of Fame, I went to the RM Williams shop and fulfilled a lifelong dream and got myself a pair of RM Williams boots! So to finish the blog for the day.... here's a picture of my wonderful new boots. Gorgeous aren't they!

And one last note.... just so Bethanie stops calling me a silly bloody oaf - she is in SLOVAKIA not SLOVENIA (heck they sound the same to me!)