blackstock.id.au

Back where I belong

Steven Blackstock — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 05:51:03 +0000

Well I’m back where I belong, back in rainy Perth. It might be rainy but the clouds breakup every now and then and let the sun shine through. Those poor people in the Motherland might not see it for weeks. I was fortunate I only had a week of it and I needed that or I might have got to like the place.
The Queen heard that I was coming to town so she put on a parade for me last Saturday. She got all the boys and girls out in the bright red uniforms and bearskins to march down the Mall. She also chucked in a band mounted on hay burners for a bit of effect and braved the weather in an open carriage.

Look Mum I can play the drum and ride a horse.

As she went along she wouldn’t look my way because she didn’t want to let the other subjects think she was showing favoritism to me.

You don't have to wave I'll be up for tea later.

It was a great time going here and there meeting Brenda’s family and friends with a bonus of seeing some wonderful sights. I hope I get a chance to go back again, there is so much to see and do but for me I need to share the experience with someone.
I have a few photos to go through and I hope I can put them up over the next few weeks to give you all a taste of what I saw.

Cheers

King Arthur’s Fish ‘n’ Chips

Steven Blackstock — Fri, 28 May 2010 22:26:44 +0000

Well today is my last day in Cornwall as tomorrow I head for South Wales.
What to do?
After a breakfast of Eggs Royale I set off and I headed for Siblyback Lake which is near the B&B I am staying then up the road a mile or to to the Hurlers.
Bronze Age Monument (c.1500 BC) consisting of three stone circles in a line. The southern most circle is incomplete, but the other two have been restored. Two standing stones, ‘The Pipers’ lie to the west of the site.
While walking over the hill and taking in the 360 degree view of Cornwall I decided to visit Tintagel and Padstow.
The weather was fine and sunny with the odd cloud overhead, the temperature only making about 15 but pleasant.
Arriving in Tintagel I found the Old Office which is a 14th-century stone house, built to the plan of a medieval manor house.

Post Office at Tintagel

Well that was the easy bit. The next bit was to visit the Castle reputed to be the birth place of King Arthur. Tintagel Castle is set on a dramatic and picturesque headland that is virtually an island, connected to the mainland by a slim finger of land. To get to the castle, which very little remains, you have to walk down a valley, cross a small stream then ascend what cliff face traverse a narrow land bridge to the island then continue ascending a cliff face to the castle gate. The descent from the village had me a bit worried as it was pretty hard going down and I knew I would have to walk back up. There is a Land Rover service that will take you down the slope or back up and he was making good money each trip as in was full each time I saw him.
At the bottom of the valley is a cafe and shop you can go down to the beach from here or go up to the castle. The National Trust run the site and they have an office just before you get on the land bridge. Luckily the land bridge as been replaced by a wooden one. There are crude steps up the cliff to the Castle Gate. Once through the gate you can roam all over to island with very little in the way of safety equipment just the occasional sign warning of a cliff edge. Everywhere there are remains of building and the coastal views are amazing.

Bridge to Tintagel Castle (top right)

After wondering around for some time it was time to head back. I made it back to Cafe at the bottom of the valley and had some sustenance. I sat in the sun eating a tiddy oggy (Cornish Pastie). Armed with a bottle of water I set off for the village and the car. It was a slow arduous journey but I made it to the ice cream shop for my reward.
Back in the car it was time to head furthe down the north coast to Padstow. I had checked the net for directions and I was determined to get my fish ‘n’ chips from Rick Stein’s Cafe. I drove into Padstow again but this time I decided to try the carpark down by the Quay as I had done enough walking for one day. I found the cafe on South Quay but it didn’t open till 5pm. I had an hour and a half to kill so off I went walking again. Five o’clock came and back to the cafe and order haddock and chips. The shop was already packed but after about 15 minutes I had my box of fish ‘n’ chip and back at the car to enjoy. Well it was worth the effort and nothing like the rubbish I brought in Liskeard earlier in the week.

On the way home I dropped in to the Old Jamaica Inn for a pint of cider to end a great day.

Cheers

Pictures from Home

Steven Blackstock — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:20:15 +0000

The morning started with another fine Cornish Breakfast of ham & eggs. It was then time to do a bit on online family searching so I could go back to the Museum in Liskeard and look at the parish register for St.Cleer.
Just as I was starting I received a Skype call from Sil in Sydney. He had video on and I didn’t have enough bandwidth in my room so I went down to the conservatory and I was able to speak to him with good quality. After I had finished that call I got one from young Liam. It was great to see him. He is growing well and start his injections this week. He is so strong he was lifting his head and upper body from the floor and the legs were coming up as well. He is certainly doing well.

Rob, Liam & Nay on Skype

It was great to see and talk to Liam.

Back to work and I found some more of the Cowling family of St. Cleer.
Armed with some names and dates it was off to Liskeard to look at microfiche. On the way I stopped and took some photos of Lampprettons House and Cottages. They are about a mile out of St.Cleer and this was the address on the Census. I perry sure they wouldn’t have lived in the house but in one of the surrounding cottages.

Lampretton House

My search of the Parish records made me think my ancestors my be “heathens” as I could not find any records. Then the penny dropped my 3rd Great Grandparents were buried in the General Cemetery which surrounds the Dissenters Chapel and 2 Great Grandparent were married in the Registry hence they wouldn’t appear in the Parish records. Oh no point in looking at microfiche.
I took off the South Cornish coast to Looe then on to the fishing village of Polperro. The streets here are very narrow and the fish would have been hauled out by horse and cart. The horse and cart now takes tourists from the car park 750 yards down to the harbour and back (for a fee of course).

Tonight I dined out at the CheeseWring Pub at Minnons. Lovely pork ribs washed down by a pint of cider.
Lets see what tomorrow brings.
Cheers

Hello World

Steven Blackstock — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:30:41 +0000

At last I have a semi reasonable connection to the internet thanks to mine hosts Clive & Julie ffitch of Redgate Smithy B&B. They provide WiFi as well as a great breakfast in great surroundings.
Check in out at http://www.redgatesmithy.co.uk/
Today I set off to see if I could locate the grave of my 3rd Great Grandfather and Mother. I was able to locate the plot though unmarked in the St Cleer Dissenter’s Cemetery in St.Cleer Cornwall. This achieved I set off for the Church yard in Liskeard to see if I could locate any others.
I also called in at the local museum to find that they have the parish records for St.Cleer on microfiche. It was pointless trawling through them if you haven’t some clue to work with and the easiest way in an online search. so that is my homework for tonight.
The day was warm and sunny so it seemed a shame to stay indoors doing research so it was off to Bodmin Moor and the Jamaica Inn for a pint of cider “Pear Rattler” Nice drop and I was tempted to stay all afternoon.
This is a popular place and while I was there someone flew in in their helicopter for a quick stop then off again.
I then drove to Port Isaac, a small fishing village on the North Cornwall coast. This was the setting for the TV series Doc Marten.

North Cornish Coast near Port Isaac

Then the disappointment. I drove on to Padstow hoping to get Fish ‘N’ Chips from Rick Steins Cafe but I couldn’t find it only the restaurant and the cake shop. So it was time to head back home and sample the delights of the local chippy in Liskeard. I won’t recommend you try it as if was awful.
Lucky there is some red wine in my room to wash away the taste.
Cheers

In the Motherland

Steven Blackstock — Sat, 22 May 2010 13:41:30 +0000

Hi
Well I finally made it to the UK. It lived up to its reputation at Heathrow as the luggage belt broke down just as start to get a little bit full which left nearly 500 passengers waiting for them to fix it but they then had to change it to a smaller belt.
Luckily I was met at the airport by Barry Smith as I had just about had enough after the flight. Barry drove me to his Mum’s place in Wiveliscombe in Somerset where I stayed the first 2 weeks.
During my stay with Val & Ray they took me around to various places in Somerset and Devon.
The start of week 3 I picked up a hire car and went to stay with Sybil in Weddon Cross.
I had hoped to have access to the internet but like rural Australia Rural England doesn’t had a great wireless broadband coverage.
Next week I’ll be in a B&B in Cornwall that claims to have WiFi so I hope to catch up on posting the trip so far with the odd photo or 3.
Cheers
Steve

Village of Broardhembury Devon

Home Again

Steven Blackstock — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:14:43 +0000

Finally made it back to Perth today.
After the puncture on Monday the Honda was load straight on to the trailer and didn’t move till I unloaded today. It was a sorry sight covered in dust and a flat tyre. Did I say dust yes we had 40K of gravel road while heading for Burra in South Australia. Guess who didn’t take any notice of her ladyship Miss GPS. That’s right she kept nagging us to turn right and take us in to Waikerie but I knew better and used the bypass. Wrong I should have gone into Waikerie and then headed for Morgan. Instead we ended up in Blanchetown. We stopped at a garage a brought a map which showed a road to Morgan so we set sail only to find it was gravel. It was a good gravel road compared to the one we were on in Tassie so all was well. When we did get to Burra the number plate on the trailer was rounded on the end where in had been peppered with gravel.
The Journey home was via Mildura Vic the first night covering 550Ks. That was enough for the first day as I was pretty tired from the ferry trip. Day two got us to Ceduna SA 1000Ks and a half hour time difference. Day three we went from Ceduna to Norsemen WA 1200Ks and two an a half hours time difference so we got in at an early hour. Today we made Perth 720Ks by 2pm.
All the way from Port Augusta SA we passed motorbike after motorbike mostly with trailer. These were returning to the eastern states after attending their annual rally which this year was held in Albany WA. They get upwards of 5,000 attending these rallies.

The End (Almost)

Steven Blackstock — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:42:04 +0000

14th March
Today is the last in Tasmania. The weather is absolutely fantastic. Those with vehicles on the Island have loaded them up. The Harleys are on the trailer ready for the long drive back to WA. The rest of us have sorted out what we need for the ferry trip. Everyone is discussing there favorite highlight over the last 2 weeks when “The Wombat” asks how many miles he has left in his back tyre. A quick glance across to his outfit and the rear tyre show patches of canvass. The general feeling is that he should not ride it but if he insists then it should be straight to the ferry. He decides to ride to the Car Club lunch which is on the way to the ferry. There he asks car club members if he could get to the display after lunch and someone tells him it’s only 40 odd K round trip, not far. So what does he do he sets off to the display. Half way there and 10 K’s pass the ferry he has a blow out. But where does he have the blow out right in front of a local motorcycle shop owner’s residence. The Owner comes to his rescue and takes the wheel to his shop, put a second hand tyre on the wheel and only charges him twenty bucks.
The lunch at the car club was great and we then went to Port Sorell to a private collection of cars and bikes. I continued on to Port Sorell to see if I could find the cemetery where my Great Great Grandfather is buried. Unfortunately I didn’t find the cemetery, looks like I’ll have to go back to Tassie again.
We made our way to the ferry parked up and adjourned to the pub. After waiting in the carpark for about two hours we finally got on board. We have four in our cabin which was quite stuffy. I tried to sleep but couldn’t get comfortable. I spent the rest of the night in the lounge dozing.

Rescued

Steven Blackstock — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:26:38 +0000

13th March
We set off on our last day of the rally in good spirits. We were to travel from Launceston to Ulverstone via Beaconsfield. The route out off Launceston should have been relatively easy as everyone was by now fairly use to reading route sheets. The following to the route sheet was not the problem, it was the lack of street signs or the placement of them. That seem to have a habit of hiding them behind bushes, behind other signs or put them 50 meters down the street. We managed to escape the metro area and followed the western shore of the Tamar River. In one section we left the A7 to follow the river. This was quite bumpy most of the way but we did see channels cut through the reeds and power boats moored with the reeds almost obscuring them from view. The road cuts back onto the A7 with no warning with a corner sharply to the right then to the left and straight into a ‘T’ junction. I thought I would lost it here but I hung on and managed to make it through the bend and stop for the junction. We continued on to Beaconsfield.
Beaconsfield was where the miners were trapped for 14 days in 2006. The mine is still working and beside it is a museum. The museum is certainly worth a visit. It has a section on the rescue but that is only a small part. It is mostly set up as a history of the original gold mine and its workings along with how people lived. It incorporates many interactive exhibits encouraging you to see how things operated.

Outside the Museum

A Furphy

Old mine pumphose with the working minehead behind

We lunched in a cafe not a bakery this time and then went on. We didn’t stop at Beauty Point but went on to York Town site where we took a side road to take us across to the next highway. This was not on the route sheet but a map said it went where we wanted to go so why not do it. The bitumen finished half a kilometre down the road. The road was gravel leading through a National Park. It started out pretty tame but after several kilometers it started to wind up into the hills twisting and turning. The surface was also becoming a series of potholes and corrugations. We stopped and discussed whether to carry on or turn back. On would we went. I was leading and I lost sight of Keith, After a mile and a half I still couldn’t see him in my mirrors so I turned back. I found him about 2 mile back repairing the sidecar. The mudguard had come lose and had to be removed.
After about half an hour we resumed the slog on the track.

On the track repairs

About 3 mile further on we hit bitumen again. We had come 20 miles on the dirt and now we decided to eat up the miles at a great rate.Not far from the Ulverstone turnoff on the Bass Highway we passed several other riders who had come on the proper course.
Back in Ulverstone we booked into the motel and the apartment once again. Sheer luxury. It felt so good we went down town and brought the makings of a fine evening meal to be washed down with a couple of beers.
Tomorrow we meet up with a Vintage Motor Club for a BBQ and go on to a display in Port Sorell. Then it is on to the ferry for the night sailing back to the mainland and high tail in back to WA.

Ross

Steven Blackstock — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:39:28 +0000

12th March
Today we left Hobart for a run up the Midlands to Launceston.

Ready for the 'Off'

The sun is out but the morning is crisp. Getting out of Hobart is a little tricky but for some but Keith and I make a clean break on the road to Richmond and have the road to ourselves. This is great as the bends are quite predictable and we have a ball. On we got through Richmond and the road straighten out in places and we can get up to 60 MPH (~100KPH) no problem. On we go with no sign of the others, there is very little traffic. I make it to Highway 1 and I left Keith out of sight. Here I get the Honda up to 70 MPH (110KPH) and it seems to love it The next stop is to be Ross but as it go up the highway I notice a little heritage town of Oaklands so I detour in. It is a town almost entirely heritage buildings. It doesn’t have as many tourists as Ross but it is a lovely town well worth a visit.
Back on the Highway and on to Ross. You enter the town over a convict built bridge and like Oaklands the majority of buildings are heritage. This town caters to tourists but is well done.
Yet again we had to sample the culinary delights of the local bakery. Yet again we were not let down as the general opinion was that this was the best so far and we had sampled many.

Bridge into Ross

Church on the hill

War Memorial

Old Cottage

After meandering through the craft shops and antique stores it was time to leave. I left Keith to fuel up and set off back on the highway thinking I would fuel up in Campbell which I did. Back on the road I went for about twenty mile before I caught sight of a bike and sidecar some way ahead. I wound the Honda back up to 70 (110 KPH speed limit) again and soon caught up with the outfit which was Keith. Then it was just a comfortable ride into Launceston. What a great days ride everything was just about as good as it gets.

Lay Day

Steven Blackstock — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:42:04 +0000

11th march
Yes today is a rest day. In some cases it was a chance to see some of the sights they had missed on the previous stop over, other took the opportunity to rest a weary back and other time to carry out running repairs. Kieth had a problem with the carburation on his BMW which he tried to sort out but in the end had to resort to an alternate ignition system. I spent and hour repairing my center stand which was threatening to fall off. Come lunch time we took a drive to the auto shop for part and a burger for lunch. By 3 o’clock Keith’s bike was back on the road so we hit the road. We head towards Port Arthur. We stopped at Sorell to use an ATM then continued on for about 20 K then thought no there isn’t enough time to go further so we headed back the way we had come. When we went through Sorell we forgot to turn left so we continued up the road and turned left for Richmond. Once in Richmond it was time for an ice cream and head for home.

Eating ice cream at Richmond

Cec

Peter

Keith

The day ended with a lovely meal in the motel washed down with cider.