Into the 'Desert

As the 2018 Op Shop Road Trip starting date looms, I realise I never actually wrote my blog for last year's trip. My memories are a bit sketchy, I'm afraid.

We started on Brisbane's southside at Annerley, then Moorooka (lunch) and Salisbury.  Reto to Hope OP Shop at Acacia Ridge was certainly one of the strangest I have visited.  Lots of collectables but they were expensive. I must admit, however, that I was impressed by the way they displayed their jewellery.

We managed to find enough clothes to get us into Day Two and Jo as usual had her oppy radar well-tuned and picked up some interesting goodies.

Bed for the night was the Analee Motel in Beaudesert, a bit classy for we Road Trippers, and opposite a lovely park.  We didn't completely forgo the pub experience, however, as dinner was at the Beaudesert Hotel.

The next morning was rather crisp, as we headed into the local oppies.  There is a Red Cross, a big Vinnies and the Animal Welfare League.  We found good cheap clothes at the Red Cross and at Vinnies I picked up a little green depression glass jug that pleased me.

The Animal Welfare League was definitely the quirky one, and very cheap.  I fell in love with a pair of wonderful brand-new warm, fluffly-lined slippers which came in handy on the trip, and I am actually wearing them as I type this morning.  Here I am modelling them with Jan and her socks beside me.

We had morning coffee overlooking the fine Beaudesert War Memorial, then headed for the border. I suggested the girls might enjoy a look at the heritage-listed Tamrookum Anglican church,designed by Robin Dods, which stands alone on a hill east of the Mount Lindesay Highway, and dominates the surrounding area.  We were wandering around taking photos, when a very enthusiastic, friendly woman approached.  She was the caretaker.  It turns out she and her husband are grey nomads who were passing through the area and just the right time, and landed the job, which includes accommodation at the next-door rectory. 

I have stopped there many times, but have never been inside before.  It is beautiful. She told us everything there was to know about the history and the wonderful timber within.

Once we had learned everything there was to know about the Collins family, it was off to the cemetery. Besides all the late Collinses, it is the resting place of Grenville Kingsley, son of the English writer Charles Kingsley.  The other really interesting grave belongs to Constable George Doyle and Albert Dahlke, who were murdered by probably Australia's last bushrangers, the Kenniff Brothers. Patrick Kenniff was hanged in Boggo Road Gaol in 1903, but his brother escaped the executioner.

We were particularly impressed by the inscription on the back of the headstone. It reads: ERECTED BY SYMPATHISERS AND ADMIRERS OF TRUE MANLINESS THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA.