Stacey's at the Gap retreat

I just love going to "Stacey's at the Gap" . You are well looked after by Leonie and Mal. It's a beautiful location at the top of Cunningham's Gap near Warwick QLD. 

The accommodation, while  old school camp style is quite suitable.  All meals are included and we have a great large hall to sew in and a roaring wood fire when its cold. What else could you want? Sew from 7 am til 10 pm. You can bush walk or sit in the sun ,it's up to you.

When Bernie went to the USA in 2017 he actually went into fabric shops and  bought me some panels. WOW I was so amazed so I am on a mission to make them up. I started with the Bison.

I thought log cabin might do it but NO the red  centre was too big and too busy.

Found this light fabric with lots of movement and I loved it.

Then I searched for some more ideas and lovely Karen ,one of the other ladies there was doing a chevron table runner.  So that was it after few hours of deliberation I decided on a chevron design.

I thought it was a great result I was pleased with it. 

This was the second panel he bought me and this is the progress so far .

A Small Project

Just loved this cute little project bag. But it was a bit tricky to make. I think I used too thick a wadding but its done now. My OPAM done for May.

Special Celebration 60 years Anniversary

Last weekend saw a big get together of family and friends for my parents 60th wedding anniversary. Their anniversary is on the 29 th March but we couldn't celebrate until this weekend due to family weddings and Easter. Quite an achievement for any couple. Mum and Dad  had a lovely day. We hosted 65 people at our house for Sunday lunch and most of the family visiting for the weekend. Just a tad exhausted on Monday but very proud to be able to do it for them. Our parents have been nothing but loving caring and giving, providing every opportunity possible for us. Thank you Mum and Dad.

The bridesmaids dresses and photos

Ray and Noela Donpon

Mum and Dad's original cake topper on the side of the cake. 

A letter from the Queen and the Governor General 

All those standing are the remaining wedding party..Sadly none of Dad's attendants are still with us .

Their Children 

Children with their husbands and wives.

The grandchildren with partners or spouses

5 great granddaughters , my granddaughter on the left .

2 great grandsons who didn't want to dress up the same in pretty blue dresses....LOL
mine is in front.

All of Mum's brothers and sisters were here .. Dads family , sadly, not well enough to attend.

Longreach Thompson River

Many years ago the Aboriginal people cut a shield from this tree .

What  sunset wine and cheese should like on the Thompson River  at Longreach

What it really looked like ... so many flies, most wore fly veils. 

A beautiful quilt on display and this huge art work about the life of a stockman . It was a great display and even more there then when I last visited.

Aramac and Lake Dunn

This little western town is a little famous because this is near where Harry Redford known as Captain Starlight stole a 1000 head of cattle and a white bull.  He drove them to Bourke and then was caught. I think this cowboy looks like Robert Redford and he has his name on the statue but Mr B doesn't agree he says its Captain Starlight.

Some of the many sculptures in the area , as I said earlier people in the west are very resourceful. It's a test of age and knowledge to see what some of the sculptures are made of. 


So very dry on the way to Aramac . It was greener when we arrived this is just out of Barcaldine. 

Tambo

The Tambo Teddy is a bear that is completely hand made with Australian wool. It is hand made in Tambo and was the invention of some towns people to try to keep close to the wool industry when it failed in their area. Also to keep the little town alive.  The bear is famous in Australia and one was a gift from our government to little Prince George when he arrived into the world.  Each bear is numbered and referenced and is unique. The bears are named after Stations in the area.  Mine is Called "Tambo Station Ted"

This unusual horse sculpture was right next door. It is made of twisted and tangled wood.

Augathella

A Lowes Truck on the job - these guys drive for miles to deliver fuel in the outback

I have only one question ... Why?? meat ants are the most horrid things, you cant get rid of them , their nests go for hundreds of metres under the ground.  

A very old Police station - many buildings in the  late 1800's were built to be moved in a hurry. The frame was built so the boards could slip inside one on top of the other without nailing.  It is like the actual studs of the frame are on the outside not the inside.This was one such building.

Oh and a bit of Lucy Boston stitching when the road is not  too rough. Notice my cute but strong Gidgee Smith bag , excellent for stitching in the car, you can just throw it on the floor when your not using it and don't have to worry about it getting dirty out in this landscape.