Lovely rural land around here. The Hunter River Valley is known for its rich produce of wine, olives, cheese and other crops. Horses, sheep and cattle graze on irrigated pastures. This is up market farming.
We passed through Bakers Swamp without noticing anything. Then reached our last dot on the map for this trip - Larras Lee and saw this. The roadside monument says: In Memory of WILLIAM LEE (1794 - 1870) of "Larras Lake" a pioneer of the sheep and cattle industry and first member for Roxburgh under responsible government (1856 - 1859). This stone was erected by his descendants. --- 1938 --- This is a repost from a few days ago. Thinking I would use this for this week’s Taphophile Tragics post I dug a little further into William Lee’s story, it’s a very colonial Australian one. William was born of convict parents, living his childhood years around the Sydney region. In his early 20s he was issued with some government cattle, recommended as a suitable settler and granted 134 acres at Kelso near Bathurst. He was one of the first in the area and did well. A few years later he was granted a ram and an inc...
It is amazing what 50 years does. When we moved to the Upper Hunter in 1956, Dad had 'investigated' areas like Molong and Mudgee but chose an allotment between Denman and Merriwa, based mainly on price I guess. The area then was mainly poor share-farmers. This was totally pre-vineyard days. There were only minimal horse studs (the standout being Widden Stud). When I was there the population of Denman was something like 850. Prompted by your journey, I have toured Denman courtesy of Google maps. I lived in Turtle Street with a triple fronted block with our house in the middle, all of which were double-depth. Between us and where Mrs Phipps was, is now a retirement village - Merton Village - which takes advantage of the depth of the block. And our gate which led to the shed and the chook run, is now a lovely looking brick villa. However, the main street is still as drab as ever. I would imagine that all the trade goes to Muswellbrook.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you took this journey.
Looks interesting, be sure and tell your chauffeur I send my regards and thank him for making your travel images possible.
ReplyDeletePaula, I passed on your regards.
ReplyDeleteJulie, I thought the main street was neat and tidy and quite delightful -- not down at heal like so many of the country towns I have photographed.
Nice scenery before and after the window. A changed landscape now days as Julie points out.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how the reflection in the mirrow makes this photo complete - I like that.
ReplyDeleteVery cool composition! The reflection on the mirror is great.
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