Richmond, 19th May,2024

 Had a full day in Richmond without rushing around or driving. We only went for a couple of walks, met some very nice campers that parked next to us today. They asked us to join them under one of the big trees to share some watermelon. Had a good chin wag which was interesting sharing our travels.  Don’t usually have much spare time during  the day or we couldn’t sit outside in the desert due to so many flies. It certainly was a good break from driving and relaxing more.  We enjoyed our walks today after mainly sitting on our backsides over the last five days while we had big driving days. 

Our sunrise coming up over camp this morning. Taken looking out of van, still in bed as no where to rush to today. What a great sight to start the day off.

Just catching the Gazebo.

Unfortunately looking into sun so not lighting the house up to bring out the colour of the stone. This is a replica of the old Cambridge Downs  building that was built  in the mid 1860’s which gives an example of the architecture of the Western Pioneers. The Richmond Shire (Council) was aware that the Shires historical and cultural background was in danger of being lost and this replica provides a place for the display of local records and artefacts. Hence a mini museum.

This old photo is what the old remains looked like. That’s why Council wanted to preserve its history.

Out the back of the above replica building is this old stage Cobb & Co coach  kept in storage.

Playing peek a boo through the carriage windows.

How about this for rubbish bins which are scattered along the Main Street of Richmond.

MOSELLE MEATS

This neat business was established in 2018. The decision to purchase a butcher shop came following generations of family farming to sell directly to the public. It looked a really nice shop and what they had up on the window sounded really good. We would have loved to try some. Unfortunately they didn’t open on Sundays and don’t open until 9.00am in the morning. (Monday). We can’t wait until then as we want to be on the road by 7.00am as big driving day. We have heard the first half of tomorrow’s trip is bad roading like we have been having. But the good thing they say, the second half of the trip is a lot better. 🤞.

One of the really early stores in Richmond. It looks like it is nearly falling down. I see in the window it’s up for sale. An elderly couple were inside who were the owners and the shop was divided into three different shops, hardware, second clothing and all sorts of bits and pieces like linen etc etc. we felt so sorry for them trying to sell the building. It’s probably all they own. Who would want to buy it.

Looking down the  Main Street of Richmond. No life around as it was Sunday morning and everything except the supermarket,  the Pub and the elderly couples shop were closed. 

Looking back up the road away from the shops, they had these lovely big pots along the median strip full of different coloured Bougainvilleas. Looked good. The town is full of old history with old picture boards of the historic buildings that used to be there but years back were replaced by what stands in the streets today. A shame they didn’t look after those old buildings as they might have been standing today.

When we got back from our walk through town we then did the walk around the lake that the camp looks over. This is the camp looking back up from the lake. Ours is the first motorhome under the trees.

Lovely concrete path all the way round the lake The star of our walk. All along the path they had plagues set in the concrete every 100m, giving the history of the town. Starting from the late 1800’s. Very interesting walk.

This is taken half way round opposite side is our camp. Steps down to a small jetty. They have recreationally boating on the lake but we didn’t see any boats as the wind was sweeping across the lake with a strong SE wind.

Sweeping view from one side of the lake to the other. The lake was man made starting the dig out in August 2002

Finishing in March 2003. 

Although you can’t see these old photos behind dirty glass it was very interesting to see step by step how they built the lake.

DEAD MANS ISLAND

I zoomed in across the lake to the other side  to the beach just below our camp. In the middle off the lake  this little island which has been built up with boulders has been named the above. The story behind that is when they were digging out the area to form a lake the first man to be accidentally killed in Richmond lays under the Island in a peaceful resting place. He was killed when he was thrown from his horse on that spot. He was buried where he fell and remains in place to this very day. 😢 very sad story.

PT admiring the orange in the  Bougainvillea hedge.

The shelter at the far end of the lake where all the photos of the building of the lake were displayed. There were twice as many as I showed very interesting.

Looking through a tree that had two trunks.

Now returning down the other side of the lake. Standing on a wooden jetty.

Seemed to have gained another new hairstyle with the gusty wind.

Finally a bridge taking us up to our camp

The camps water tower.

We have had a relaxing time just pottering around today and getting out walking in the fresh air. Makes a change from sitting in the cab over the past days. Off to Charters Towers tomorrow for another two night stop. 

There is a head in there somewhere. I should have been in the sun.