FURTHER JULY REFLECTIONS

 

Since becoming resigned to an adult life lived on the North Coast of NSW, I have been endeavouring to develop a new perspective on that situation. To embrace the whole of the North Coast and New England and all the past experiences I have had here. ASSIMILATING it all, so I am. I am little inclined to travel much and prefer a Village Life and much home time. I, am, however, making some fine adjustments to those default settings in my personality in case the Old Person’s Home they one day wish to put me in is in a new environment or perhaps I shall wish to escape and would be better with a series of well-known exit routes. Yesterday, I crossed this small bridge at MINNIE WATER.  I am rather fond of small footbridges. Over small creeks is my preference rather than out over the rainforest and mountains in the manner of the Dorrigo Rainforest Lookout.	MINNIE WATER FOOTBRIDGE. Subtle and seductive perhaps – the Clarence Coast. As an old Urunga Woman, its likely to take a few more visits for me to determine whether or not I really like this these 3 towns.
I have never been one to go to Music Venues until meeting Izzy in 2007. Now Music features frequently in my life.  I would not call it a natural habitat for me but do enjoy the curiosity factor. I began by going to the BILAMBIL BLUES CLUB each Thursday when I lived alone at Linden Lea in Bilambil Cottage. Had dinner and listened to the music and met with friends. As Izzy and I became close, I became his ‘roadie’ and began venturing into the Unknown World of North Coast Music. It wasn’t well known to him either. His previous Musical life was Sydney and  points South – primarily. With the 69ers, Original Battersea Heroes, Johnny and the Ringworms and Zarsoff Bros.  Since 2007, we have been familiarising ourselves with the North Coast’s Musical Scene and , in  the  meantime, the Bilambil Blues Club has become LIVE MUSIC on a Friday Night.	Izzy with Johnny Carr at Bilambil. I still attend these events more like David Attenborough observing the wildlife than as a participant. Strange creatures in a strange environment.
One of the bands Izzy plays with is the HILLBILLY BLUES BANDITS. Its one of the venues I enjoy more than most. For a pub, that is – me not being a pub person. The food is good and the security and organisation is schmick. The lads play onstage and everything is in place. Then again, I like BRUNSWICK HEADS. Its a good town.	BRUNSWICK HOTEL BEER GARDEN
I lived on the Tweed from 2001 to 2009. It was at the end of that period that I located the family history in that area. The last time I saw my mother alive was in 2001 when she saw me off on the North Coast XPT to Murwillumbah and she said at the time that the Tweed was where ‘ the family came from”. I didn’t quite know what she meant. I knew her family only as Laurieton and Redfern people. At a 2008 visit to the Tweed Historical Society on Scenic Drive ( en route to Bilambil) I found a photograph of Bell’s Wharf but paid little attention and I had visited the Tumbulgum Cemetery on my return from her funeral in August 2001 but knew of no familial connection to it. At the time I didn’t know that her grandparents and associated relatives, esp BELLS and MCLEODS, had lived for years in Tumbulgum and Surrounds and great uncles and aunts were buried in the Cemetery on the Hill by the River.	The hall out in the Valley behind Murwillumbah where we have been told John Bell and Granny Bell went to live with their family following John’s accident on the sugar. BELLS ON THE TWEED
That, of course, preceded the re-location to the Clarence. My father did have an Uncle Clarrie whose name was CLARENCE MACLEAY SANDERS. Therein lies a true Northern Rivers heritage. I wish now that I had been daring enough to name a child or two after the Rivers. Bellinger or Kalang would have been fine choices. At the time I had a husband of a less fanciful turn of mind than me. The Tweed, Macleay and Camden Haven background probably explains my ease with the recent Clarence floods. Add 40 years on the Bellinger and all I need is the gills and fins.	Ulmarra in 2009.
AT THIS POINT LET ME ACKNOWLEDGE THE ENORMOUS DELIGHT OF ADSL AND EVEN GRATITUDE TO BIG POND AND TELSTRA. THAT’S SOMETHING I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER SAY BUT HERE I AM ONLINE – FAST – PAINLESS . A CHARMING YOUNG MAN NAMED MATTHEW DEALT WITH EVERYTHING AND WE WERE SETUP IN 3-4 DAYS WITH PHONE AND INTERNET AND IT FLIES !
In my years in Urunga, I rarely went West. I had a phobic fear of the Dorrigo Mountain. I had it for as long as I can recall, perhaps going back to childhood drives in the old ute with attached relatives and one lane of dirt clinging to the edges of the mountainside. After the flooding of the 21st Century, I think the fear was very likely NOT illogical.  Be that as it may, I am no longer phobically fearful about it and have been able to take the Western road to visit the Mad O’Briens in Armidale. There is a hunting for the details of beauty in a quiet land which takes a discerning eye – something I have often lacked. Now that I know more about the family history, I suspect that some inherited prejudices and old fears and loves have coloured my views of certain places and peoples. The New England was one of those places which WE disdained along with the aforementioned GRAFTON, KEMPSEY, TAREE and random others. On exploring in a more open-minded manner I have found some fine people, places and things.	THUNDERBOLT’S ROCK NEAR URALLA. JUST TO THE SOUTH OF ARMIDALE. Also in Armidale is one of my favourite Santas.
Meanwhile, back in Bellingen, and back to floods and near floods, life on the North Coast often means living in towns split in two by water. Bellingen is one of these. I have been trapped out in Buffer Creek via Gleniffer and in Dowle Street, North Bellingen. I have quite a good feel for oncoming floods as well. That’s one of the advantages of a slightly paranoid nature.	LAVENDER’S BRIDGE IN BELLINGEN WITH THE RIVER RISING. Maybe 1995 or thereabouts.
One thing which was different for me in the 2009 flood here in Ulmarra was the slow inland sea effect compared with the raging Bellingen torrent that I am more familiar with. One thing I like about the Clarence is the large number of old buildings seemingly missed by the boom era of tourism and simply standing there. Feet wet at times but standing. Not neatened and tidied by the Incomers of the past century. Not demolished as they have been up north on Tweed. We were watching the Brick coming over the hills from Bilambil. Here, on Clarence, they STAND.	WATER COMING IN FROM THE BACK PADDOCKS IN ULMARRA.

CLARENCE AND ULMARRA

http://clarenceandulmarra.wordpress.com/

MINNIE WATER AND DIGGERS CAMP

Took a drive eastward to the Coast today. Out along Coldstream Road and through Tucabia. A narrow thread of road with high speed nutters aiming to and from the Coast. I didn’t quite take to these two little towns. Must be my Urunga prejudice and I will give them some more tries before I declare a decided opiniong. The road into Diggers was red dirt and potholes and – well, we will see. I didn’t see an emu either. Opinion withheld until further research is carried out. Just don’t like the drive in. Or out. And I like cafes.

REFLECTIONS AT THE END OF JULY

	It has become routine to take lunch at WIDE RIVER. I have even taken to eating the same lunch most days which is not something I have often done. I have toasted cheese, onion and avocado sandwich on white bread with a banana smoothie unless I feel the edges of a cold. In that case, I order a COLD REMEDY which is one of the most deadly juices I have ever drunk. It seems to successfully drive the potential swine flu germs back into hiding.
	Since we have been in Ulmarra, Izzy has begun to allow his hair to turn white as he said he would at the age of 60. Kati B has come to visit and do the 2nd hand shops of the Clarence.
	I also re-discovered FEZZ. We first had FEZZ when the Poppy was a baby and had a blocked nose and now I find that its available for adults as well. Some assistance with breathing is something I could do with.
	The last Thursday of each month, we take ourselves along to the MUSIC CAFE at the EMPORIUM, SOUTH GRAFTON. That is a pleasure in itself . Annie Dodd has had the EMPORIUM for almost a decade and it reminds me of the mystery of Sydney in the early 70s and of such adventures as the ANTIQUE SUPERMARKET on South Dowling Street. Its an evolving organism is the Emporium. This month, July, Peter Greeman, in the kitchen is doing PASTAS. The eclectic array of musos is expected and Iz looks forwards to emceeing. We have already encountered the MULLANS’ at the June night and Karl and Sharon took the drive north to do ILNAM ESTATE WINERY with Izzy on July 26.  The crowd was well pleased and joined in the mayhem of Izzy and Co and the beauty of Shaz’ Irish melodies.  Karl and Izzy put in some powerful reheasring and Izzy was fully pleased with the day. I was able to enjoy two magical little girls who came along from BUSBY FLAT to support their parents.
	There is a new dam someplace down here near COUTTS CROSSING. It is said to be  able to provide water to COFFS and GRAFTON for many years to come. I  haven’t found it as yet but will look for it soon. Just out of Armidale is the DUMARESQ DAM where we picknicked with the Mad O’Briens. There is some unusual info about Armidale, electricity  and hydro-electricity. ELECTRICITY IN ARMIDALE Oxley Wild Rivers National Park http://www.familytreecircles.com/journal_9924.html
	Transition to a new home and community has uncertain elements – obviously. On  the weekend, we went north for the ILNAM gig. I haven’t been back since moving and have no desire to do so at this time. I don’t relocate easily. NOT EASILY TRANSPORTABLE, am I. I am easily confused by the overlapping worlds. I had promised Iz I would go with him this time for several reasons. One being that ILNAM and the Quinns have been very good to us and the other was to meet the MULLANS FAMILY. Karl has been rehearsing here in Coldstream Street but I hadn’t truly met Shaz or the Girls. It was , in fact, a pleasurable experience but after a night spent in a dodgy Tweed Heads South Motel for $75, I was in a deeply reflective mood. As deep as the light on a Fender Bass.
	I think it was occasions like Izzy’s 60th birthday at Ilnam’s with nice people, nice food, nice views which convinced me that it was time for me to leave the area because I just wasn’t content – even in the good places with the good people doing the good things.  So – now I am here on the Clarence and for this time in my life – happy.

ONLINE AT LAST

Glory Be ! Up here in the Attic, I am at last ONLINE.

Much like the Bridge of the Starship, Enterprise, so I am told. What I know is that I now have workable internet. Vodafone can do what it pleases as long as I don’t have to deal with IT again. I don’t even want to talk to my electronic friend , Lara, anymore. I give credit to the upgrades department, which despite failing to upgrade me and still charging for one account when they had said they would not, was staffed by courteous, literate, savvy young people. Au Revoir VF. May our paths not cross again.

Now, I am ONLINE but still in the process of adapting to the 21st century. That means it might take a while before I feel secure in the new situation. For today, CELEBRATIONS and off to Bellingen to fetch Kati B.

YES WE HAVE THE NET !

APOLOGIES

For any delays or  poor presentation on this blog, I do apologise. The Vodafone problems have recurred giving me minimal access to my sites. Steps are underway to change ISPs and work can then resume.  Again, O Loyal Followers, bear with me. I have plenty of new material to add. Yrs , nellibell49.

WEDNESDAY IN ULMARRA

We lunched in the Village today at WIDE RIVER where we are treated as family – almost. Several other tables were occupied with people who were very pleased to be eating home made pies and cakes and ORDINARY food. So were we!

Over the way on the Northern Side of Coldstream Street is JACK-A-DANDY. I hadn’t looked in there till the weekend when I encountered some old friends of mine who had ordered a lamp from there so this week I took myself for a good look through. This is one CLASSY shop. Beautiful bits and pieces from all round the world. We went in today and bought a silver bell from Northern India to be our front door bell. I had noted it in an earlier post but not looked into the treasure trove.

I spoke again with VODAFONE this week due to the mess its making of my internet life. The initial contact point – well not the initial point because that’s LARA the electronic girl – but the first human contact assured me that I hadn’t called since last September, that’s ‘08 he’s referring to. Funny, I thought I called on June 26, 2009 at 6.37 pm. And I thought I spoke to Moustafafa. Being in a calmer  state this week, I didn’t let that fluster me and asked to be directed to UPGRADES, a department I didn’t know existed until the June Phone Call which I apparently didn’t make.

Anyways, UPGRADES are rather nice and speak English as if native born and the outcome is that the UPGRADES were supposed to go through last DECEMBER, although no contracted customers were informed of that, or the delays, or whatever is wrong now. I would keep right on whingeing except that I just saw the eight coffins being taken home down an English Street.  Eight young people killed in Afghanistan and three of them were 18 years old. What is this ?

Forget the Vodafone whinge ( I am opting out and into ADSL).

I shall leave the day with thoughts of the young people. Especially poignant to me as I transcribe my father’s letters and diaries and all the names of his Pioneers and their families.

Some things are wretched.

______________________________________

Another young Englishman has just been found after 10 days lost in the Blue Mountains. Some things are excellent.

GENTLEMEN OF THE NORTH

I have begun work on my father’s war diaries and letters.

BRUCE SANDERS.

2/3 PIONEER BATTALION 2 AIF: A SOLDIER’S LETTERS HOME

Last week, 7 July 2009, Noel MacDougall passed away at the age of 92. This week, I was contacted by his daughter-in-law, Robyn and thought I would pass on this little note on one of the characters of the North Coast New England.

My father-in law Noel Eldershaw MacDougall passed away on 7th July at the age of 92.  He fought bravely with the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion after enlisting in Armidale with the Light Horse with Mr Peter Tindal, Mr Brian Hughes, Mr Mac McKenzie and Mr. Fitzgerald all of Grafton and was later transferred to Cowra.  These men remained closest friends all their lives.
Mr MacDougall lived at "Marengo Ebor", the property held by his family for over a century. He was a wonderful stockman and a gentleman – true legend in the area.  No one knew the Chalundi bush like he did. He loved his land, his cattle and his horses (both work horses and racehorses) but unfortunately had to live in the Dorrigo Community Health Centre for the last years of his life. He was well looked after there but he always yearned for his bush and his dogs. 
A funeral will be held at the Anglican Cathedral in Grafton at 10am Tuesday July 21st.

THE SANYO PERFORMAX

  The Performax has come to live with me. And I love it !

FONTS

ONE OF MY OBSESSIONS. HERE ARE A FEW OF THE SITES I LIKE. FREE FONTS THAT IS.

LUC DEVROYE IS NO KING FOR ME. LOOK HIM UP.

AS FOR THE REST:

http://www.webpagepublicity.com/free-fonts-b.html#FreeFonts
http://www.stormtype.com/free.html
http://www.josbuivenga.demon.nl/tallys.html	exljbris Font Foundry
http://apostrophiclab.pedroreina.net/0189-DayRoman/dayroman.html
http://www.instantshift.com/2008/10/23/22-most-used-free-fonts-by-professional-designers/

BROLGAS

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=95163411341&ref=mf

A VERY WEALTHY WOMAN

 

In my own way, I am a very Wealthy Woman. I now have the Fridge. That’s the two lads delivering it a week late and refusing to carry it up the 8 steps unless we paid another $15 which Izzy refused to pay. Fortunately, we seconded our next door neighbour and Izzy and the neighbour brought it up the stairs. So, we now have a fine fridge.
	These are the signs at the intersection of COLDSTREAM STREET and the PACIFIC HIGHWAY, ULMARRA. Andrew from WIDE RIVER says – SEE ULMARRA – IT WON’T TAKE LONG. Well, theoretically it shouldn’t take long but in practice, we have been known to take hours in the Village.
THINGS WHICH MAKE ME WEALTHY
	Include the many mandarines on the trees beside the house.
	A lot of laughter and gentleness and no violence at all. Lots of music as well.
I have read poetry at an Austlit Breakfast at the WORDSMITHS CAFE in the ST LUCIA CAMPUS of the UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND in BRISBANE.
	I lived for many years in the small town of Urunga and over the last year have eaten there with my daughter at the BOARDWALK CAFE. We have wonderful breakfasts at the BOARDWALK and are served by young men whom I once taught.
	My Grandchildren learned to swim in my own very excellent swimming pool, way up on the Queensland border.

COLD AND WINDY

Following a few warm and pleasant days, the cold winds come from the west. They brought the brolgas out into the paddock opposite. Blue Brolgas, Jenni at Wide River told me. Thats because they’re grey.  The fridge is once again supposed to arrive today.After 2.30pm. Yesterday I purchased 2 beds and they are to come on Monday. I am feeling very DELAYED this week. Kati B couldn’t get anyone to feed the horses on Saturday so she’s off till next weekend and the Sunshine People are likewise postponed and here it is COLD and WINDY.

No matter. I have work to do. The Net is allowing a little more access than is usual. I can work on my father’s 2/3 Pioneer site. I can continue unpacking and decorating. And I can wait for the Fridge. 

ULMARRA BOOKS

Went for lunch at Wide River today following the Total Failure of Geoff and CLARENCE VALLEY COURIERS to deliver the Fridge. We have been waiting for days and look like waiting longer. Bum to that. So we took lunch at Wide River and the discovered that the mysterious BOOKSHOP is now open. ITS PERFECT ! I was bemoaning the state of the shops in Ulmarra when I was first able to access the main street after the floods. Doors were shut and hours seemed as erratic as Latrobe and Given Terraces in Paddington, Brisbane.  For one brief dubious moment, I thought I had decided to reside in a dying village and being of a depressive nature and recently emerged from the week’s inundation, a sorrowing near overtook me.

One of the Closed shops , seemingly neglected and deserted has stained glass windows and is a fine old building. After a few days, I began to HOPE. There was activity and boxes being taken in and sure enough, it is now open as THE BOOKSHOP. Wonderful Books. Wonderful prices.

Next door is the treasure trove of Jack-a-Dandy. That’s it below.

The WIDE RIVER CAFE where we lunch, had the Cafe Botero girls in. They RAVED about the Coffee and the Cafe. Said it was easily the best, cleanest, brightest of the 70-80 shops they visit on the North Coast. I don’t even drink coffee , but I know its a Good Place is WIDE RIVER.

Tomorrow, I am meant to go and fetch Kati B. Iz was coming but the Fridge Failures have interfered with that plan. So Its the CHARADE and me to Bellingen again. Lets try this without floods !