Hubz and I treated ourselves to a day-date adventure this weekend... sort of our Christmas gift to each other ….
A train ride!
The steam train could not run ….
1. because of high fire danger and sparks/coals flying around....
2. because of the drought and the amount of water needed to run it.... some of these little towns are having to ship water in for their homes
The diesel was just as much fun (just different) and I just loved the old style carriages that a team of volunteers have worked to rebuild
Look at that gorgeous luggage rack....
Such a dry landscape.... we saw lots and lots of kangaroos which hopped away...
We were dropped off at Stanthorpe (the train went on to Wallangarra on the Qld/NSW border with other passengers)
Picked up and went on a lovely winery tour....
One winery does some wine in the Georgian fashion of huge clay pots underground.... (it was fantastic wine too)
… yummy lunch at another place....
…. gotta love a beautiful big gum tree....
… and even a brewery.... gosh that ice cold beer went down well after sipping wine for hours... (we visited 4 wineries and the brewery)
… back to the station to wait for our ride....
we were in the diamond carriage … called because of their windows ….
… and from there watched the sun go down.....
dust and dry conditions do bring beautiful sunsets....
We just loved our day out....
The volunteers run the service and are so wonderful, helpful and happy to be there sharing what they do and what they love. People who lived near the rail track came out to wave, our wine tour was so well done (and included a lovely talk and explanation in the working area where they make the wine).
Happy Christmas to Hubz and me....
Train rides are so much fun! I'm glad you had such a good time! :0)
ReplyDeleteHi Fiona wow what a wonderful gift for each other,it all sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteLol I did wonder whether Dave had to carry you home after the wine tours,lol,so glad you both had such a wonderful day xx
WoW what a fantastic day out... food, wine, scenery & gOOd company.
ReplyDeleteHappy Xmas to you both...xox
Looks like a fabulous day out. Interesting about the wine in the clay pots. The train ride sure would be a lovely way to venture out to the wine region. Hugs, xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day for you Fiona, I just love days out like this - glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletelooks like the perfect day out for you both :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a very lovely and special day. Glad you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteOld trains are wonderful! What a great day you had....stunning sunset pic through the diamond window. I would have been sound asleep by then lol!
ReplyDeleteA fabulous early Christmas gift to you both..
ReplyDeleteI remember going from Perth to Kalgoorlie in a steam train which had luggage racks like that...
What a great Christmas present you gave each other. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteWell that was a lovely train ride and site seeing. Thanks for taking me along. I loved it. ;^)
ReplyDeleteYou were only two months early...or ten months late? Sounds like a wonderful outing! There is a similar antique train that runs through the California wine region and I did that trip years ago. Lovely food and sips of wine, gorgeous views. Your post brings back those happy memories, so thank you :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun outing! Great idea and thanks for the photos!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day out! Shame about the steam train but the carriages sound delightful. Lunch looks delicious and lovely wine tastings too. Yum xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic day out!! So much to see and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWell how fun is that!!!!!!!! Love the windows!
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