We swung back east from Parkes to the town of Canowindra. True to form, most of the towns we visited have a Royal Hotel, allowing me to add extensively to my royal collection. I still haven't figured out the reason behind the large number of Royals. I thought for a while it might have been something to do with them being Royal Mail Coach stops ... but the architecture shows them being built over such a wide spread of years that seems unlikely.
Is that a Coolibah tree beside the abandoned house? Every Australian knows about Coolibah trees because the bush ballad Waltzing Matilda is nigh on our unoffical national anthem but most of us live nowhere near the inland where they grow. Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, Under the shade of a Coolibah tree, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled, You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me. Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.
What a diversity of architecture in this little collection, Joan. Where I lived in Denman there was a Royal Hotel, and other in Muswellbrook where I went to High School. Interesting to reflect on the reason for this.
ReplyDeleteI saw Denman on a map I was looking at today ... it is a little east of the areas we have been travelling in. We went back west this weekend before the weather gets too cold to camp.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great set! I especially like the 3rd Deco building.
ReplyDeleteIf it was in India, your post should be called 'The Palace Collection' as almost every hotel as the word palace in the name. :-)
Perhaps they all knew your Ladyship would arrive sooner or later? I'm sure they wouldn't want to disappoint!
ReplyDeleteAre they nice hotels, JE? I'm so used to staying in hotel chains but a friend of mine is encouraging me to try Bed & Breakfasts.
I haven't got a clue what they are like inside. I assume for the most part they are a typical bar where locals meet for a drink. I don't drink alcohol so don't have a good reason to go in!
ReplyDeleteI suspect some of them also offer cheap rudimentary accommodation. Because we have our own van we don't need to find a bed for the night. I'd certainly choose a B&B over these local pubs.
Based on past experience I find B&Bs to be very pleasant but if you are looking for a private non-chatty time then give B&Bs a miss.