Carrieton EXPOSED ....

All agreed we would meet JC. at 9:00 at Munno para. 9:30 came and JC arrived (go ahead JC blame Jane). Morning tea at Clare and off we head to Perth hey JC. aren’t we meant to be going!.. OK you’ve worked it out. Now to Jamestown for picnic lunch by the river then off to meet Phil Fisher at Orroroo where we would plan Sunday’s activities. Just over about a half-hour later we checked into Carrieton Caravan Park which was very novel being the old closed down school. JC. and Jane had the "TAJ" and we were lucky enough to grab the old classroom, (great, so much room). Nothing much to the school had been changed as later on that evening I found out when I made a grab for the light switch and found the school siren!!. Twice.

Time to catch the entertainment, the Aus Vs NZ sheep shearing competition. This was so interesting to watch as it was country folk in their natural habitat not putting on a show for tourists as I found out when JC. and I went to the bar. Surrounded by about 200 guys and women all aged 20 - 40 drinking beer (like everyone else I grabbed one) then JC. put in his order, can I have a Riesling "a Riesling?? Slowly I found myself distancing myself from JC., as much as I like my wine Im not as brave as JC. (sometimes you scare me JC.). As I walked off all I could hear was "a Riesling ...er ...er. I'll have to open something". The shearing was amazing, one guy shore 10 sheep in seven minutes without one nick, I cant even shave that well. You really know you’re in the country when they announce on the P.A. "the forecast is for rain, but it doesn’t look like we are going to get any unfortunately". After the shearing they put on a roast and dance but we all decided to go back as Daniel had came down with a fever (sorry guys).

That night I popped in to the Carrieton hotel where I discovered the real atmosphere of a country pub. No it wasn’t the amazing stuffed stag head nor was it the large collection of old rusty rabbit traps in the dinning room the real difference to the city was that in the city the publicans are sober. Late night happy hour then it was time for bed and the traditional zip zip zip beep from the Taj.

The next morning we were awoken by the sweet chirping of native birds (actually the sound of rapid-fire from hundreds of extrovert corellas) we hung around a little while in case Paul and Barb were coming, then off to meet Phil Fisher for a trip out to his farm.

After waiting for a half-hour JC nutted out that we were on the wrong corner, shortly after we were on our way. With a good share of Roos and Emu’s we traveled through Phil’s 500 acres where they had devonshire tea and later bbq lunch waiting for us. Amazing as it seems Phil had so much admiration for JC. that he named parts of his property after him including a gate post, a tree, a creek and an outback dunny! After a bit of 4x4 driving to see the amazing panoramic views as well as a visit to the farms salvage yard to inspect old cars etc., it was time to head home. Once again I thoroughly enjoyed this weekend, good locations and excellent company, thanks JC and Jane, as well as Kym and John for the original planning.

Paul C





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