Lefroy and Back Creek

We had been working in the Lefroy/Beechford area last month, after doing some research of Lefroy we were surprised by it's fascinating history.  "Gold had been discovered in Lefroy, formerly know as Nine-Mile Springs, in 1872, but it wasn't until the 1890's that it became a large prosperous town with a population of around 5000.  Between 1870 and 1914, 190,000 ounces of gold were found at Lefroy. At today's prices this would be worth more than $300,000,000."  (Thank you Google)  

In it's heyday, Lefroy was the 4th largest town in Tasmania, today Lefroy is almost a ghost town with a population of about 82, according to the 2021 census.

There had been a notable population of Chinese residents in Lefroy during the goldrush, and Mr Ah Hung was a market gardener from Douglas, just along the road from Lefroy.  There was a Joss House, 4 churches, 5 pubs and several schools to meet the needs of the population.

This morning started with this amazing sunrise.

A drive over the Batman Bridge.

We arrive at Lefroy.

East Street.  No houses, no bitumen, just bushland.

The Lefroy Cemetery.

Some of the headstones were from 1880's

Some people died very young, others reached a ripe old age.

Some of the bushland along Douglas Street.  

There are still mineshafts.  

Enter at your own risk.

They looked like cobblestones along Douglas Street.

We took a dirt track off Douglas Street, 

and found a large group of snowdrop flowers.

We can only assume that there was a cottage there at some stage.

Lots of Snowdrops in the middle of the countryside.

The two apple trees that would have been in the 

market garden of Mr Ah Hung.

A partial map of Douglas.

Section 5 on the map in the name of 

Jemima Hung was the market garden.

The Death Notice for Mr Ah Hung.

His wife Jemima nee Cox was English 

and born in Hertfordshire.

Heading out of Lefroy towards Beechford.

One of the well maintained cottages in Lefroy

Another lovely cottage in Lefroy, 

said to be built in the early 1900's.

Off the beaten track.  An old shed roof on the ground in the bushland.

One of the many abandoned cars in the bush.

Lots of white heather growing in Lefroy.

Shaw Street in Lefroy today.

Shaw Street? in Lefroy circa 1900.

The plaque for the Avenue of Honour.

The Avenue of Honour, Lefroy.

Back Creek Road.

Sign for the Slate Mine in Back Creek Road.

A pile of slate at the disused mine.

You can just see two mounds of dirt from where 

someone is prospecting along Back Creek Road.

Old prospectors hut along Back Creek Road.

There were signs of life, so we didn't stop long.

Hoping they weren't dualling banjos.

Another prospectors site.  

Danger Man Traps Set.

Stay Out.

There is also farm land along Back Creek Road,

with an amazing herd of Long Horn Cattle.

This one posed nicely for me.

Adelaide in June

We had a wonderful holiday to South Australia in June.  We caught the Spirit Ferry and travelled to visit Auntie Linda, Tim and Claire, then went up to Horsham for the night.  From Horsham via Lorquon and then to Adelaide.  We spent a lovely time in Adelaide and Middleton, in spite of Influenza A which unfortunately knocked our hosts off their feet.  Then off to Camperdown and Pomborneit for a couple of days on our way back to the Spirit.  I took over 1000 photos but will only put a few on the blog.

Me in our cabin on the Spirit, ready for our holiday.

Visiting with Claire, Linda and Tim.

The Giant Koala.  

Huge kangaroos hopping along the paddock near Lorquon.

My Grandma and Grandpa Hewes lived in this house in Lorquon in 1969.

The church at Lorquon my Grandpa preached in.  

The windows on the other side of the church 

are falling out due to the wall cracking.

Cut Hill distillery.

Wine tasting at Dandelion

Dandelion Winery.

Highland cows at Moos Distillery.

We always go to Bremerton's winery.

Bremerton's have the best ploughman's lunch.

Taste testing at McLaren Vale Distillery.

Richard and Barb.

Uber Ron.

Kangaroos at the vineyard.

K1 Winery.

Barb got the giggles and we hadn't even had a tasting yet.

More wine tasting.

They make yummy platters.

Breakfast in Naracoorte.

The Marsupial Lion statue at the Naracoorte caves.

Leaving Naracoorte to head off to Pomborneit.

My Birthday

We celebrated my birthday on Saturday August 9th as it was a day that everyone was free.  Poor Sharni was not well enough to attend, and Anya unfortunately had covid and missed out too.

Happy Birthday to Me !

Chocolate birthday cake.

A selection of nibbles

Limoncello anyone?

Olivia feeling a bit tired.  

She had an iron infusion the other 

day and has a broken foot.  Oops.

Jason.

Crystal.

Maddi and Olivia.

Crystal.

We were discussing the Red Panda Encounters at 

Tasmania Zoo.  So I brought out my Red Panda

for an encounter.

Gorgeous selection of Nordic gifts for my birthday.

Glass of champagne anyone?

My orchids always flower for my birthday.

So pretty.