Uralla, 11th May. 2925

 ARMIDALE

 We got away just after 8.00am to go up to Armidale for the 2nd Sunday in the month, Sunday markets. It is 25km north from where we are staying in Uralla. It was misty and drizzly first thing, but it all lifted by late morning and ended up a partly cloudy sunny day. We were expecting it to be  a big produce market. But it was very  disappointing as only small and hardly any farm grown vegetables were available. We only got potatoes, home made bread, some trout pate, which we had on the bread for lunch. Also got some lamb shoulder chops straight off the farm although it was frozen. As we couldn’t get any green vegetables  we had to go across the road to the supermarket.  We then drove round town while I was hopping in and out of the car taking photos then back to digs to have a relaxing afternoon. Armidale is located 1000m above sea level. They call it the Heritage Jewel of the New England area of  NSW high country.  Four National  Parks, plenty of Autumn  leaves which have started to drop. Attractive City of tree lined street and Heritage buildings.

These are a few of the stalls at the Farmers Markets.

We bought a loaf of bread. Bottom left. 

Vegetables, nothing appealed to us. Very disappointed as that’s what we came for.

Bought some spuds off this farmer. He was just selling pumpkins and potatoes. He was 82 years of age.

Lovely candles. Didn’t buy any.

These are two of five old cars to be sold.

Now for a walk about in Armidale town. This is the Imperial Hotel, oldest in Armidale. It’s closed at the moment having a huge upgrade.

Across the road another hotel .

Now for a walk around the churches which happen to be very near each other. Being Sunday it was lovely walking up to them hearing the singing inside.

A few steps further.

And another

This group of churches plus one other were all grouped near each other opposite this pretty park.

The leaves have started to fall.

Armidale is  known as the leafy City.

Most of the streets are lined with these very colourful trees.

 Good season to visit.  

We have just left Armidale just before mid day heading back to our cottage in Uralla. We took an off shoot from the main highway along a country road to visit this wonderful old  Heritage Listed Homestead.The Edwardian Manson was completed in 1906. Filled with a

 Collection  of 19th century furnishings.

The gates that lead you down the long drive to the house.

The Homestead.

Picture perfect gardens.

Out the back of the Homestead still remains the original agricultural machinery and equipment.

We arrive in Uralla last Friday for three nights, staying at Grace Cottages. 

Looking down the street of the small town of Uralla.

Outside our cottage we have a bird feeding dish hanging in the tree just off our balcony. I hadn’t realised that the owner had left a jar of birdseed for us to refill. I did this later in the afternoon the birds had a real party. The bigger birds kept taking over and pushing in making the smaller ones fly off. These white parrots are a lot bigger than they look in the photo.

Fascinating to watch them all. 

We leave here tomorrow after a wonderful three days in this very well presented cottage. Very cosy. Heading back up through Armidale, heading out East over the Waterfall Way Scenic Drive. which goes back out to the East coast just below Coffs Harbour.  We are stopping about half way along the scenic Drive for two nights in Dorrigo to explore that area before we leave the inland Highways. More lookouts hopefully, if they are not too far down metal roads to access them otherwise I won’t be allowed to go down. We only have seven more nights in Oz.