At what is now our usual meet and greet place at Yamanto before we head-off on trips to the south and west of Ipswich, we had seven Toranas and one everyday car turn-up. (Rod Campbell joined us later at Warwick in his car), then we headed for Cunningham’s Gap and our destination. The trip through the Gap gave us an insight as to what happened there during the floods and landslides recently. With all the road works going on up there, we were lucky not to have to wait very long to get through.

It wasn’t long before we turned-off the highway and headed for Glengallan Homestead. Even from the road it looked magnificent! Looking through the visitor's centre gave us an insight into the homestead and how it has evolved from the beginning before the house was built to the fall and decline of a once grand mansion and all it stood for during colonial times and then back to some good years before once again falling into ruin. Luckily for our generation and those to come, a Trust has been set-up to get this magnificent homestead and grounds back to their former glory or close to, with what resources and knowledge that they have.

I’m sure that I was born in the wrong century, as I felt very at home here (and not in a domestic role as somebody joked, but as part of the Squattocracy!!!) and could imagine what it must have been like in its day. So very grand, and although it was never finished, it is still beautiful.

Lots of photos were taken of the rooms, where, in one room the mummified remains of a cat were found which has been left in the floor and now encased in glass for all to see! Some restored, others partly, and some furnished with original pieces from the mansion’s heyday, as well as the surrounding gardens and buildings. (If anyone is interested in our colonial past and this beautiful home, may I recommend you look it up on their website, as it is very interesting. Or better still, go and visit it, it is well worth the trip!).

After photos were taken of the cars in front of the mansion, we headed for Warwick and our rendezvous with Rod Campbell at his workshop where he has a Model T Ford that he is re-upholstering. What a beauty it is, and what a great job Rod is doing. After a look over it and a bit of catching-up, Rod led us on the drive through Warwick to Sandy Creek and this cute little country pub that looked like it was from the same era as Glengallan Homestead.

Steve Rule and his daughter Steph left us here before lunch, which we had outside in the pub’s beer garden. A nice cool spot after the heat of the day. Before we headed back to Aratula, somebody (who shall remain NAMELESS !!!!), who for some reason nearly always has a problem with his car whenever we go on trips, locked his keys in his car!!!!!!. Luckily for him, he was rescued by Rod.

We were soon on our way (after saying goodbye to Rod and David and his dad Barry) to Aratula to partake of the wares of the Ice Cream Parlour and the antiques shop. Wow, the ice-creams were yummy but huge! A single scoop is more like three big scoops! Then it was onto the antique shop for a look-see (some really great things here, but alas, no purchases were made). Then time to say farewell, before we headed in different directions for home. Thanks to those who made the trip. It was, as usual, a pleasure.

Write-up – Gail, photos- Tom and Shirley