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ROAD TRIPS

I often describe what I called our “Motoring holiday” as a child in the UK to my wife and kids, when my parents took my sisters and myself around the countryside. My father was a champion Darts player and we would call into pubs around England during the 1950s, where he would manage a game of darts. During the trip we went to places such as Royal Ascot racecourse, Brighton, and in London drove past Buckingham Palace.

Do you remember the car trips of the past? As kids we would ask “Are we there yet?” or “How much further?” You would sit in the back of the car and turn and wave to the people in the car behind you. Those were the days before seat belts. If your parents had a station wagon or a ute you may sit in the back without a care in the world. There were not any laws or rules that applied at the time that required passengers or drivers for that matter to be harnessed in any way. Not that I regret the passing of those times, it was after all a more carefree world that we inhabited. Events and tragedy have seen the creation and passing of legislation that we hope have reduced the tragic accidents that all too often happened in the past.

Our kids, when they were younger and depending on the decade, would play games in the car such as “I Spy”. Recently I saw a family still playing this when out on an excursion. I can recall our youngest playing “I Spy” when she said “I spy something beginning with F” after some considerable time we gave up and asked what it was “fongs (thongs)” was the response. As they grew older games such as “Donkey Kong” kept them amused in the car and much later still when our first grandchild appeared on the scene it was a portable DVD player.

But now to the present time, as we have become older it may be time for my wife and I to join the “Grey Nomads”. I enjoy drives into the countryside and we often take our little dog along for the ride as she likes to explore new realms. Treks alongside creeks or rivers are a favourite for our little canine. Looking under logs, sniffing around trees and rocks to find out what or who has been around is her favourite pastime.

As for me, one of my favourite pastimes is photographing historic sites and villages as many of you who follow my postings in various Facebook and Flickr groups would know.

Some twenty five years ago, my wife and I went on a road trip to Griffith in the Riverina to visit relatives. We were accompanied by my wife’s parents at the time. In the past few weeks or so, my wife and I retraced our trip to Griffith to some degree. It was amazing to see the paddocks so green down on the South West Slopes and the Riverina. We did not take our dog on this occasion but I really enjoyed stopping and photographing many of the old buildings and towns along the way. Fortunately for us, we were travelling around the south west of New South Wales and the Murray Valley before the heavy rains came which has caused so many problems of flooding for residents in the west and south west.

We were lucky to strike fine weather just about everywhere we went. One highlight of the trip was a return visit to the Griffith Pioneer Village of which one of my wife’s late relatives was awarded Life Membership of the Association that runs the village. Also we made a return visit to the historic port of Echuca in Victoria. We made a number of other stops or visits to Jelrilderie, Carcoar, Cowra. Corowa, Cobram, Yarrawonga and Cootamundra, Deniliquin, Young and Temora, as was also a visit to the Chocolate & Liquorice Factory at Junee.

Now that we have sold our business (see article elsewhere in this magazine) I hope to be able to take more country trips and you will note below new contact details for the forwarding of any contributions or comments regarding “Memories” in this magazine.

NOW WHAT ABOUT YOUR MEMORIES OR YOUR STORY

You can write about childhood memories of where you may have grown up or moving into the area. Tell us about your school days. Where you worked, played or went on holidays; your first car; that first date, getting married or maybe the history of your family, group or organisation in the district. This page is about memories so tell us yours.

If you have some great memories, or perhaps you belong to a local community organisation and would like to share your organisation’s history or story with us then feel free to share your memories or experiences by writing to 17 Rose St., Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 or email to [email protected]. au You can also share memories on any of my Facebook memories groups including Hills District Memories which you will find at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ Hills.memories/ or Hawkesbury Happenings & Memories which you will find at https://www.facebook. com/groups/Hawkesmemories/

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