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Blogs from Longford, Tasmania, Australia, Oceania
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February 6th 2013
We have been immersing ourselves in ‘old’. Yesterday morning, before leaving Stanley, we went to Highfields, the original homestead in the area. This was built by the Van Diemen Company in 1824 when they brought out a team of people and 5000 sheep to establish their company in Stanley, then known as Circular Head. The old home fell into disrepair before being taken over Parks and Wildlife and is being restored over time and its elegant Regency design, convict barracks, barns, stables, and a chapel were once surrounded by a large ornamental garden. We stayed the night at Latrobe and this morning drove to Launceston. This was through beautiful country with sheep, cattle, poppy fields (Tasmania grows 50% of the world's poppies that are used for medicine), berries and potatoes. We had a lovely time tasting ... read more
January 21st 2011
Returned to Park Nook soon after breakfast. Bid goodbye all round for it is the last time that I shall see the good people at Connorville. A dull cloudy day with rain in the afternoon. Allen, D’endeu and Doc walked back to C in the afternoon to a dance, a farewell to the Hewitts as they are going tomorrow. I did not go, not feeling inclined to go thro' another goodbye on the morrow, therefore stopped at home with the ladies. A plentiful supply of flies going about now, the cause I know not.... read more
January 20th 2011
H D, the Doc and I walked over to C about 10 o'clock. A large party from there going to drive over to Cressy to see a Reaping & Binding machine (Wood's patent) perform. We went in a brake and four, Allen driving, about 10 of us ladies and gents going. It was horribly dusty and hot. Overtook Mr T at Cressy who was so drunk he could hardly keep his seat. Drove to the farm, had some refreshment and then walked down to the paddock where they were cutting wheat. The machine acted well, requiring only 2 men to look after it – one driving and the other to remedy any little hitch that might occur. The machine cut and bound and bound well and tightly and with celerity. Nearly had a row with Mr ... read more
January 19th 2011
Another warm day. Drove to church. Quite a large congregation, upwards of 20 people being there. Some excitement caused by one young lady fainting and requiring some half dozen people to look after her. In the afternoon, A, H D, Doc and I walked over to C stayed to tea and then Doc and I returned early while it was yet light. Took my letter home to be posted.... read more
January 18th 2011
A warm pleasant day. Doc went off to C to bring Mr F but while Doc was going one way, Mr F came the other, so the Doc came back as he went, alone on horseback. Finished carting the hay. A regular whirlwind came up to the house but did not last long or do any damage. Had another bathe in the river during the afternoon. Just as we finished, a large party from C came riding up, dismounted, had some tea and then rode away again. Mr P went up to the Lakes early in the morning.... read more
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January 17th 2011
Another hot day. Busy all day carting hay. Spent the morning lying on the hay in company with Doc, H, D E and Allen in the barn. Afternoon had a bad headache – went for a swim in the lake river which made it worse, had to go and lie down till about 9 o'clock when it got better. Went then into the drawing room where there was some music going on. Mr P and Mr Foster went into Launceston early in the morning. Mr P returned about 12 at night. Mr F spent the night at C.... read more
January 16th 2011
A regular hot day. Had a picnic in a pretty place in the woods beyond the “Glen” - 24 of us there. 20 riding, 2 walking and Mrs P and Miss F driving with the provisions. Have to go up a steep narrow road to the Glen and a pretty sight it was to see the riders go up it by one, twos and threes. Had a merry time of it. When the Doc and I went to catch our horses, they jumped the fence and got away, but were afterwards caught. Came back and had some dancing. I had a slight headache and felt too tired to dance. Miss Hewitt stopped the night, she having a cold. Broke up about 2 o'clock.... read more
January 14th 2011
A regular sell – I had made up my mind the night before that I would not go to the lakes. The Doc however rose at 4, had breakfast and went out to get his horse when lo! Both horses and one saddle and bridle had gone. It seems that someone from C had sent over for them first thing in the morning for the sake of playing a queer practical joke upon us – we found out who did it too. After breakfast at which there was only Miss D, Doc and I, Mrs P having set out early to drive C Lever part of the way home, Doc and I walked over to C to take the post. Had croquet in the morning. In the afternoon, rode over to the Bluff to meet Mrs ... read more
January 13th 2011
Another hot day. Doc, Allen and I walked over to C leaving Miss Lucy prepared to go to a ball at Launceston. When we got to C we found them in a state of excitement there as some were going to the ball, others were going to drive only as far as Longford to get ready for a wedding tomorrow. A and J Gatensby going in a brake and four in hand and the two Miss O'C's going afterwards in a buggy. The Doc started about 12 with Mr O'C and Mr Parker, Rod and Mr Connel collecting cattle to get them ready to take up to the lakes tomorrow. About 5, the ladies and I started to meet them at the Bluff. Miss Deasey, Miss Shaw & Miss Charlesy driving, Mrs & Miss Hewitt and ... read more
January 12th 2011
Doc returned first thing in the morning while I was in bed, bringing letters for me from home and Mrs Pinniger which were sent over by Ted Coates, having been at Westbourne Terrace since Nov 27th. Mrs P inclosed a Letter of Introduction to a nephew of hers in Launceston which I don't think I shall use. Did not go to church, remained behind to write to Union Bank and began letter home. A lot of men turned up in the afternoon from C, one or two of them strangers. Pursued the strawberries (which are nearly over) a good bit of the day, which has been a queer one – now cold, now hot, now fine, now raining – as great a mixture as one could meet. Felt better.... read more
