Scone, the town, not the bun.

 

Filled with passion after eating the fruit, we headed into a misty morning towards Scone. Danielle first travelled on a Grant from Edinburgh University and practiced at Scone Equine Centre. We toured the barns where we saw a couple of “patients” and I learned how to read a horse’s medical chart and viewed some of the technical equipment.  The property, paddock, barns and resident apartments are beautiful and a pond and moat add charm. Folks were busy setting up event tents for the weekend.

Next, we toured the Large & Small Animal Vet Clinic in the town of Scone. When addressing mail to send to Dani and Al in Scone, it is difficult not to conjure up the smell of fresh baked scones to devour. Danielle showed me the gigantic operating table fit for a pony or a workhorse. I saw the oversized surgical instruments and bandages as well as the recovery rooms where the patients are watched for many hours after their treatments. I will always be amazed that my girlie girl loves nothing more than to mess about with those huge animals. This is my opportunity to be a proud Mother!

                                  

We drove further into the countryside where Kangaroo, Wallaby and Wombat road kill was an interesting way to view local wildlife. We lunched at a roadside café which are more personal with fresher food choices than the North American Mickey D’s. Australians are accustomed to driving for hours to get from place to place and pleasant roadside stops accommodate the travellers needs. We had turkey and cranberry on Turkish Toast, a bubbly flatbread. I was charmed by the classic Australian buildings with their metal roofs and filigreed porches. Some were immaculately painted and maintained whereas others more poetically told their  history with patina and rust.

       

We stopped at Burning Mountain National Park for a hike. There, I saw my first RVs in Australia. Most were either Class C’s or Fifth Wheels. It looked like a very tranquil place to camp. Our hike through tall grasses covered in small butterflies and beside majestic gum trees, was beautiful. Near the mountain top, the smell of sulphur is strong where a natural heat burns beneath the rocks. In the past, natives used the heat for baking in the natural brick ovens and the minerals for healing and special ceremonies. The views from the top were spectacular.

We continued on to interesting town of  Tamworth, where Al’s Mom Dot, grew up and lives with Al’s Dad Ian. Classic Australian landscapes and spectacular clouds added enjoyment to our long drive. Ian and Dot’s lovely home was ablaze with the glowing orange light of their Chinese Maple. Hugs and mugs of tea followed.