Letters

More news from 'Down Under'

Pat McClenaghan has sent me more news of life on the farm in Armidale NSW. They've had hard frost and ½ ins of snow. A large rock stopped the harvester and the last of the corn cobs had to be picked by hand. They now have to turn the heifers and 5,000 ewes into the paddock to take care of anything that's left. Providing, she says, the kangaroos don't get there first! It appears that there's a plague of them just now.

In an aside Pat tells that her sister and brother-in-law put their new car on the Indian-Pacific train to Perth, intending to drive back. Heading for Alice Springs and Darwin they hit the first 'roo on the Nullarbor Plain. Not too much damage but, heading to Broken Hill, a second larger one got in the way and there was a 2-week delay for major repairs! The Australian national symbol is not popular!

Back in Armidale the Wool Expo has been a highlight of the farming year, with Pat taking a leading role in the craft exhibitions. She sent me pictures of wool embroideries, including one using only natural wool colours. Press cuttings included those of an alpaca, animals that produce good wool, they will also chase dogs and foxes way from the sheep!

A book has been launched of pioneer days in Wangibinda, Aberfole and Ward's Mistake (evocative name!) where Blencowe kinfolk were located.

Finally Pat makes a plea: “I hope if you and others from our huge Blencowe clan can ever be talked into a gathering in Australia we should make it coincide with NEWXPO, second week in May 2005.” Now there's something to think about!