We paid numerous visits to our beloved family Cafe during the month of September. Situated inland from Coffs Harbour about 30kms on the Dorrigo plateau. We normally celebrate Christmas in July with Katie, Carol, Vince and Santa Steve, but this year, due to roadworks, our visits were postponed. We were then surprised with Xmas Celebrations in September!
What a wonderful reception the team put on, so much effort to give us such a show! They made everyone feel welcome and loved, best entertainment ever!
And we had a total of five groups that went up the mountain! Thank you dear friends, you are a gem!
We stopped at the cafe for morning tea a few times during the month. A great location, very relaxing amongst the greenery! Great coffee and super service as well! Thank you Tim, Ben and Crew!
It is one of our favourite joints as it gives us the opportunity to check out the nursery every time, and of course the latest gifts as well!
Our first picnic this year was held at Moonee Creek. It is an outing we all look forward to. We relaxed, enjoyed each other's company and had a few nibbles along the way. We then finished off with charades to keep us entertained, with lots of laughter!
In late September we ventured off on our 2-night trip to Armidale.
We stayed at the Cotswold Gardens Motel. On the way we visited Ebor Hotel for lunch, then Dutton Hatcher and did a bit of sightseeing.
We then visited the McCrossins Museum in Uralla, where we learnt a lot of history of the area, especially about Captain Thunderbolt! Thank you, Annie and the team of volunteers, for your hospitality and making our visit so interesting!
We enjoyed a pub lunch at the Apsley Arms in Walcha, on the junction of the Oxley Highway and Thunderbolts Way. Ganesh, the owner, was very attentive and made us feel very welcomed.
Our next call was Langford House, a grand two-storey mansion on the outskirts of Walcha. Once we stepped inside we were transported to another era! Special thanks to Barry for allowing us to visit and sharing the history of this beautiful building.
A lovely dinner at the Armidale City Bowling Club was enjoyed by all on our last night. We ended our weekend escapade with a city tour of Armidale. Sue from the Tourist Office joined our bus and became our guide for the next 3 hours. What a great time we had, so many beautiful buildings and their history!
We discovered that the University of New England, Australia's first regional university, is built around the most impressive building, Booloominbah, probably the largest private house built in Australia during the 19th century. We saw the Armidale School, and the magnificently renovated Railway Station. But with still so much to see and discover, we must return to Armidale for another visit.
Sue suggested we should come in Autumn next time, then we can experience the most beautiful time of the year in Armidale with all the glorious Autumn colours. Thank you Sue, for taking the time to show us your beautiful city and sharing its history and a bit of gossip. You are a special guide!
