The Tenterfield Saddler

From Walgett to Moree we drove down some of the worst roads we have been on. The recent floods in the area have caused the earth under the roads to erode which has caused the roads to crack and sink. However, all of the drains and pipes running under the road have not collapsed or sunk so they form ramps in the road which nearly get the car airborne, even at low speeds. Dan and I nearly fell out of the car when we got to Moree and we felt 50 years older!

We decided to give our sore backs and necks and break and stay here for a few days.

We stayed at the showgrounds and watched them set up for the Moree Show which is on next weekend.

The trees along the showgrounds were filled with fruit bats!
We could hear them chirping and squeaking all day long.

 

 

While Dan worked I took the boys to the Moree Hot Baths. Like the artesian baths at Lightning Ridge, the local public pools are fed by the Great Artesian Basin, which is the largest and deepest artesian basin in the world, covering 23% of the Australian continent. The artesian hot spring baths are famous for their reputed healing qualities and were just what I needed after the rough drive here.

Leaving Moree we headed east to Tenterfield, the town made famous by Peter Allen’s song about his Grandfather, the “Tenterfield Saddler”.

The Late George Woolnough worked on High Street
And lived on manners
Fifty two years he sat on his veranda and made his saddles
And if you had questions bout sheep or flowers or dogs
You'd just ask the saddler, he lived without sin
They're building a library for him

Time is a traveller
Tenterfield saddler turn your head
Ride again Jackeroo
Think I see Kangaroo up ahead

The son of George Woolnough went off and got married
And had a war baby
Though something went wrong and it's easier to drink than go crazy
And if there were questions bout why the end was so sad
Well, George had no answers bout why a son
Ever had need of a gun

Time is a traveller
Tenterfield Saddler turn your head
Ride again Jackaroo
Think I see Kangaroo up ahead

The grandson of George has been all around the world
And lives no special place
Changed his last name and he married a girl with an interesting face
He'd almost forgotten them both because in the life that he leads
There's nowhere for George and his library or the son with his gun
To belong except in this song

Time is a meddler
Tenterfield saddler make your bed
Fly again Cockatoo
Down on the ground Emu up ahead

Time is a tale-teller
Tenterfield Saddler make your bed
Fly again Cockatoo
Think I see Kangaroo up ahead

Time is a traveller
Tenterfield Saddler turn your head
Ride again Jackaroo
Think I see Kangaroo up ahead

There have been just five Tenterfield Saddlers since 1870. The Saddler is still there in the heart of town and he still makes his saddles.

We only stayed one night at the showgrounds. That was enough time for me to fit in a bit of retail therapy. Every now and then I like to leave the kids with Dan and spend some time by myself. In Tenterfield I only took and about an hour but that was enough time to visit some shops, upgrade my wardrobe and have a bit of “me time”.

Leaving Tenterfield we drove down an avenue of honour which looked beautiful as all the autumn leaves were turning.