Enjoying Australia

This week we took a trip to Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Tamworth. We enjoyed spending time with Elder Frank and Sister Connie Abplanalp and with Elder Dee and Sister Frances Doney. We Left for Port Macquarie on Monday Morning.

The Abplanalps & Sallenbachs at Port Macquarie

Beach on Lakes Way

We took the Lake Way Scenic Route and saw many tidal lakes. The ocean and the lakes were very beautiful. Sister Abplanalp had a wonderful dinner waiting for us. She makes yummy potato salad.

Beach Near the Lighthouse at Port Macquarie

The Abplanalps showed us around Port Macquarie. Each beach was really beautiful.

Julie Moremon and her children Jasmine, Ben, and Tara

As part of our outing, we visited Julie and her children. They had just moved to Wauchope from the Blue Mountains. We were happy to see the family and encouraged them to keep learning about the gospel.

Looking Out Our Car Window at the Roos

We really enjoyed seeing a mob of kangaroo on the way back from Julie's. These are the ones we saw up close but we also saw a bigger group of about 25 a little further away. They were very tame and several climbed under the barb-wire fence but then got shy when we drove up closer and moved back to the other side.

Glenn Enjoying a Crock Pie

Yes Freddo's Makes Real Crocodile Pies

President Scruggs, our Mission President said we had to stop and buy a Crock Pie at Freddo's. It wasn't bad but I do think that my favorite is still beef pie.

Overlooking the Dorrigo Rainforest

We enjoyed getting to see another of Australia's Rainforests on our way to Tamworth. We went for an enjoyable walk and Dee took mega pictures.

Dorrigo Rainforest Vines

Ferns in the Rainforest

Goanna in the Picnic Area at Deorrigo

After our walk in the rainforest, we came upon two goannas. They just walked around and didn't seem the least bit afraid of us. Their bodies were about two and a half feet long and they were 5 or 6 feet long with their tails.

Freshly Ploweded Field Outside of Dorrigo

Ebor Falls

We enjoyed visiting Ebor Falls which is between Dorrigo and Armidale. The Owens who served in Armidale for two years recommended a visit to the falls when we spoke with Elder Owens before making this trip. The Owens have returned home to Utah.

Sallenbachs and Doneys

Elder ande Sister Doneys are serving in Tamworth, the country music capital of Australia (and also one of the hottest places in the country). They told us all about the concert which they attended about a week ago. The Golden Guitar Awards are such a big deal that people come from all over Australia to participate. They close up the main street and make a mall out of several blocks. People do stay in motels but a lot just pitch tents.

We enjoyed visiting the Doneys in their flat in Tamworth and then we all went over to Nundle which is about an hour from Tamworth and toured the Old Wollen Mill and Mount Misery Gold Mine. Most of the machines in the mill were made in the 1800's. Who says machines aren't made to last. They had all sorts of beautiful fine woolen sweaters and so forth but it was so hot we couldn't even imagine wearing wool.

Elder Doney and Elder Sallenbach
"Wanna Be Miners, not!"

Mount Misery Mine

We did enjoy our country drive back to Springwood and were thankful for the air conditioning in our flat when we arrived home since it was about 98 when we arrived home. It was as hot inside as it was outside. We did have a wonderful trip and were glad that we got to see more of Australia. It is a beautiful country.