Wonderful Windy Warwick

I had found the Criterion Hotel by driving down the main street of Warwick using Street View on Google Maps.  Pubs don't appear on accommodation website, so a bit of detective work is necessary.
I then went to their website where I discovered they had a self-contained apartment that looked good.  I contacted them and asked if it could accommodate three, and they said they would add a trundle bed for the night.  Another advantage was that staying in the apartment entitled us to our own dedicated parking space, a much-sought-after item in Palmerin Street Warwick.

I announced our arrival, was given the key to the apartment, and directed along the street, around the corner, down a driveway, and into the appropriate carport.  Worryingly, there was a sign taped to the fence thanking us for not parking there after 6th October, due to construction work.  This was October the 7th.  We parked there anyway and then tried to find the back way in.  Although our room was right at the top of the steep and terrifying back stairs, we could not unlock the door.  Eventually after several abortive attempts to navigate through other doors and staircases, I found a way in, took a chair from our apartment and propped open the door at the top of the stairs, and, under the eye of the elderly and somewhat bemused pub cat, we managed to haul our luggage up into our apartment.

There our jaws hit our chests.  The apartment was beautiful.  Pressed metal ceilings, beautiful brass light fittings, a fully laundry and kitchen (with the cutest corner drawers you ever saw) and a well-stocked library.  As trip organiser, I scored the big brass bed.  The trundle, however, had not been made up. By now we were hot and thirsty (the highest temperature the car had registered for the day was 37), so headed downstairs, through glass doors that would be 'shut after the pub closes at 10', for a drink and dinner. I think we scored the last table.  As we came upstairs, there was a an elderly gentleman ranting at a staff member because of lights that were turned on. I don't know what his problem was, as it was quite early, and it was me who had turned on those lights!
Relaxed and back in the room, we showed off our purchases, decided that this was not outfit modelling night, and settled in our lounge room to enjoy the luxury.  Outside, the wind was beginning to howl and were were very worried about the people living near that fire to the northwest.  A young female staff member arrived to make up the trundle bed, and we told her all about our trip and asked if there were any op shops in town that the internet had not told us about.  Of course there were. 'Ask the locals' was the number one thing we learned last time; and she told us the location of two extras.
In the morning, we had a self catered breakfast, but learned that the current fashion for very shallow bowls is not helpful when you are trying to microwave scrambled eggs. I thought I would go downstairs to take some photos of the front rooms of the hotel, only to find that the glass doors were locked.  This was at about 8.15am. I still can't work out how guests get down to breakfast. Then we packed up, and looked out the window.  
There was a truck towing a generator parked behind us.  We lugged everything downstairs, and the driver appeared as we were loading the car.  We looked suitably pathetic so he moved the truck to let us out.

After a couple of wrong turns we found the Lifeline shop in King Street that the hotel staffer had told us about.  They had a sign (like most) stating that only three items of clothing were allowed in the change room at any time.  This was a challenge as we all had heaps to try on, and the change room was right in front of the counter, staffed by eagle-eyed volunteers. We soon won them over, and took in ten at a time.  I know I bought some clothes there, but can't remember which.  Jo found a funky pair of shiny black pants, but wimped out on buying them.  She bought the green top though.

Next was the Salvation Army in Grafton Street. We had decided to make Op Shop of the Day awards. This was not a winner, but did have the Best Dressing Room of the trip.  It was huge and had an actual hanging rack for clothes, rather than the usual one sad hook.  It also did not have piped country music, like the Vinnies in Gatton did, so that was another plus.  The previous day's winner, by the way, was the Lifeline Emporium in Toowoomba.  From there we headed back to the main street.  The Vinnies turned out to be their high-end shop, and I found nothing there.

Nearby was a cafe packed with women, so we decided this was the perfect place for coffee; well, I also had food  but the other two showed more restraint.
Then the hunt was on for the Uniting Church Lighthouse op shop in Guy Street, which the hotel staffer had told us about.  We were excited about finding a park directly across the road, only to discover we could have parked in the yard.  It definitely needs better signage.  It was our winner for the day: in an old house (probably the manse) with delights packed into in every room, and the garage and shed too.  I found a couple of items of clothing there.  The women were delightful: happy and chatty, and so pleased when we praised their efforts.  One was singing for most of the time we were there.The change room is the bathroom, with a laminated sign on string to tell if it is engaged or free; but who cares. I found a couple of items of clothing there.



The last shop in Warwick was the Red Cross, situated on the outside wall of the Rose City Shopping Centre.  This was a great hunting ground for me, as I found three tops there that were all the right length for me. Most are too long, and I have to alter them.  This was also Wig Central.  There must have been about 10 wigs on display, at least as many in packets, and 'there's more out the back', I was told.  I was particularly impressed with the bright pink one.

It was now time to move on, as today was the day we would lose an hour, and the clock was ticking...