Easy Days, Resting Ways

We are spending two nights in Longford, not to rest, but to find some things to do in an old town. Last night we went for an evening meal at the Longford Hotel, but what else is there to do around Longford?

Longford, Down to Brickendon Estate

An old country lane, lined with hedges that are cut with square edges, trees bend over the top creating a nestled canopy, and a harvesting tractor driving in the opposite direction toward us. This is the scenery, on an overcast day, as we ride to an old convict farm, so we can walk through an historic landmark. Brickendon Estate, about 5km out of Longford.

Built in 1824 it is a farm and Manor house, now operated by the seventh generation in the family, with three generations living in the Manor house (three generations sounds familiar to us). Old buildings, printed on our guide map, come to life when we walk through the old grounds. Old mills, barns and a small house with two rooms, long sheering shed, blacksmithing shed, a chapel and a chook yard.

Turkeys roam in the yard, 'gobbeling' along as Adeline squeals in excitement at the size of the birds. The chook yard is full of chickens and ducks, with chicks of different ages. The boys, who have chickens at home, love feeding and investigating the different breeds of the local fowl. “I think this one is like Pirate Pete.” says one boy.

We walk into the first house built on the farm, by the initial owner, Mr. Archer. Through the low doors and into a short hallway, that separates his two rooms; one for sleeping and one for cooking. Each room has a fireplace, the kitchen fireplace is deeper to allow for a cooking pot, and each room has a chair to relax in. A narrow bed is up against a window, and a small table with a few things scattered over the top.

Houses were so small, no waste, and only a small amount of space for personal belongings, so different to what we call a “house” these days. It makes me wonder, how many of today's houses will stand like this in 180 years time?

It would appear that the Archer’s of Brickendon treated the convicts, who worked for them, as helpful and punishment was only for the worst of offences. No worker went hungry, is what the pamphlet said, because a hungry worker does not work as hard.

We ride over to the Manor house for a walk around the grounds. Such a nice place to see, the trees in the manicured gardens almost glow with pride, the roses smell as pretty as they look, and the orchard is full with fruit trees, the fruit hanging low in the branches. One blackberry bush had grown up in to a tree, which made it look like a blackberry tree.

On the Road, The Next Day

The sun is bright this morning, no clouds hinder the streams of light as they fall upon the tent, warming the inside so it is uncomfortably stuffy. It is a "two coffee" morning this morning, a late night working means I am feeling tired when I wake.

Zeke asks for the key to the toilets, and one by one, the boys all disappear (hopefully after they pack their bags) to wake with the morning television shows. I forget how some morning television will encourage the boys to wake early, and then leave us with tired and grumpy children when it is time to move on.

We are not rushing to leave the park today, but we also do not wish to stay long. The planned route for the day will take us to Launceston the back way, avoiding the main road, and almost directly to our stay for the next few nights.

We ride across a bridge, trucks trying to pass us from behind, while we look below to see Viaduct Corner, a part of the old race track. The out of Longford and up a short hill, before a long, easy fall to the turn off the main road.

Here, the road lays before us, long and lazy. It is an easy roll down into some gullies, and back out the other side. Farm yards stretch for miles toward the mountains on one side, and on our right the farms climb up over hills, brown grass and horses in the paddocks.

The road is still long and lazy, passing over an old bridge and up below trees that create a canopy above us. A pig chases us along a fence, the canopy shading us from the sun that has been pouring down all day. Below the trees, it is the perfect farm lane.

Around bends and finally an ascent of a a last hill into the south end of Launceston. The boys are surprised, only did 20kms today and that was all. Levi, sounding incredulous, “What? Is that it? We are at Launceston already? It feels like I am just getting warmed up.”

Time for a few days with some friends.